MCECC Finance at a Glance

 

Annual Fund Raising in Ramadan, 2007

By: M. Amin Choudary

 

The opening of the MCECC in 2005 brought happiness to the Muslims of San Antonio who were desperately looking for a place to gather for Islamic and cultural activities. As such, the MCECC’s primary goal is to provide Islamic education to Muslim children and families and to provide guidance in civic responsibilities as an American Muslim. Keeping these objectives in mind, we have worked toward renovating our facility, i.e., making the present prayer room, addition of walls and bathrooms, construction of two outdoor decks, temporary parking, etc., and have done so in a span of time that would otherwise have taken many years.

The MCECC’s management, along with the help of community members and volunteer engineers and architects, prepared a master plan for the expansion of the MCECC that includes a new two story building that will accommodate approximately 500 people with enough space for a school, conference rooms, a playground, and new parking lots. The MCECC’s construction plans are available at the redesigned website (http://www.mcecc.com).

To help aid the expansion project, the MCECC held its first official fund-raiser last year when, during Ramadan, Mufti Aziz help raise more than $213,000, Al-Humdullilah.

This year, the MCECC organized a second fund-raiser, which was held on Saturday, September 29 at the MCECC between Isha’a and Taraweeh prayers. There was an abundance of enthusiasm, hope, and dua’a that we, by the Grace of Allah (SWT), would raise more money this year. Our expected target was around $300,000. Mufti Amin Aziz had the honor of calling for donations for the MCECC’s ambitious project. After a very emotional speech by Mufti Aziz about the importance of charity and the needs of the MCECC, the call was made to contribute for the sake of Allah (SWT). Another mini-fund-raiser was held on Thursday, October 8 (the 27th night of Ramadan). The goal was to raise $96,000 to cover the Masjid’s yearly operating budget. Al-humdullilah, we reached our target goal.

Hundreds of Community members opened their hearts and gave more than expected or even all that they could. Many young, financially-restricted students made offers for donations. Even small children were not to be left behind and they kept coming to the Sheikh with their small pocket money or personal savings. We have read in Islamic history that women used to offer their prized jewelry for Islamic causes. On this night, many of our sisters did just this and offered their personal jewelry. How could one even imagine the sacrifice, commitment, personal value, and contribution of such donations? Only Allah (SWT) will thank all of us and reward us properly not only in this world but in the Hereafter as well. In just about an hour, we had raised approximately $390,000 and surpassed our greatest expectations.

This fund-raising event has left indelible marks in the hearts and minds of Muslims in San Antonio community. Thanks a Million. Only Allah (SWT) can do justice and reward you for your help and donations for helping build The House of Allah.

The MCECC administration would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this fund-raising a memorable and successful event. Mufti Aziz’s organizational efforts are greatly appreciated. Hafiz Mohammad Irfan’s flawless, soothing Qur’an recitation in Taraweeh and his influence on many people helped them commit themselves to our Center. We thank Allah (SWT) and our generous donors for their financial support. Allah (SWT), as He himself promises, will reward them with much more than they have donated in His cause.

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Thanks to Our Generous Donors (Annual Fund Raising in Ramadan, 2008)

 By: Aamir Ehsan M.D.

Opening of the MCECC in 2005 brought blessing and happiness to the Muslims of San Antonio who were anxiously waiting for a place to gather for Islamic and cultural activities. The MCECC mission is to provide Islamic education to Muslim children and families and to provide guidance in civic responsibilities so they can be raised as an American Muslim.

The MCECC management team comprised of volunteers from all parts of life including doctors, engineers, businessmen and students. The management team along with the help of community members and volunteer engineers and architects, prepared a master plan for the expansion of the MCECC that will include a new two story facility that will accommodate more than 500 people with enough space for a school, library, conference room, a playground and new parking lots. Please visit www.mcecc.com to view our construction plans.

We are fortunate to have Sheikh Aziz as our leader, who is not only a religious scholar but a qualified Mufti and fluent in English, Urdu and Arabic languages.

This year during Ramadan, there was an abundance of enthusiasm, hope and dua’a that we, by the grace of Allah (SWT), were able to raise more than $830,000.

Mufti Ameen Aziz had the honor of calling for donations for this blessed and ambitious project. Hundreds of community members opened their hearts and gave more than expected or what they can afford. Many young, financially restricted students made donations. Even small children were not left behind and they kept donated from their own pocket money or personal savings from 25 cents to thousands of dollars.

We have only read in Islamic history that women used to offer their precious jewelry for Islamic causes. On this night of Shabe-Qadar (27th night of Raamdan), many of our sisters did just this and donated their personal jewelry. How could one even imagine the sacrifice, commitment, emotions and contribution – These were simply priceless moments! Thanks a Million.

The MCECC management would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this fund-raising a memorable and successful event. We first thank Allah and then our generous donors for their continuous financial support

Fund-raising at a glance

Ramadan 2006	Ramadan 2007	Ramadan 2008
$213,000	$390,000	$830,000

Only Allah (SWT) can reward for your help and donations for helping building the House of Allah.

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 A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Magnanimous Donors (2009)

By: Rehan Akbani , PhD

 

Since its inception in 2005, MCECC has proven to be an indispensible pillar of support for the Muslim community of San Antonio. By the Grace of Allah (SWT), MCECC has evolved from a being a small place of prayer to a center that caters to the needs of a large body of Muslims. Alhumdulillah, we have crossed many milestones in our journey towards our ultimate goal of educating Muslim children and families in Islamic values and providing them the resources necessary to practice our religion.

 

However, an Islamic center is not merely a collection of buildings and materials. It is the people that form the essence of any center. Masha Allah, we are extremely blessed in that Allah (SWT) has provided us with a diverse group of people that strive for the sake of Allah not only with their wealth, but with their persons as well. This assorted group of volunteers stems from a wide variety of backgrounds, including doctors, engineers, scientists, businessmen and students. These volunteers are shepherded by our beloved imam, Sheikh Ameen Aziz, under whose stewardship we have made great strides. MCECC is forever grateful to all of these people for their efforts and sacrifices.

 

It is no secret that due to its immense success, MCECC has rapidly outgrown its facilities and it is in dire need for expansion. With the work of the construction committee, headed by Br. Amin Choudary and with special assistance from Br. Harun Rashid, the expansion project is in full swing. At the current pace we hope to have our new two story masjid ready in a few months, insha Allah. Obviously this rapid pace can only be sustained with a corresponding influx of funds for the construction. We held our fund raisers this Ramadan with that view in mind.

 

We were overwhelmed by the immense show of support and enthusiasm that our community has shown to us. Initially, the fund raiser was planned to be held on Sept. 12^th on the concrete foundation of the new masjid. The construction committee worked arduously to meet this deadline for laying the foundation. However, right before the event, inclement weather forced us to relocate the fund raiser to an indoor location. Understandably, this led to some apprehension regarding the efficacy of the fund raiser given the short notice. But our community pleasantly surprised us and we not only met, but far exceeded our target of $600,000 by the Grace of Allah (SWT) and the tireless fund raising efforts of Sh. Ameen Aziz.

 

Following this first fund raiser, the weather subsided and we were able to schedule a second fund raiser on the new masjid’s foundation on the night of 27^th Ramadan. Once again our community astounded us by donating more than our target of $300,000. The atmosphere of this second fund raiser was one of tranquility under the open sky. In both fund raisers people outstretched not one, but both hands and donated whatever they could afford and sometimes even more than they could afford. Friends were seen encouraging each other and the sisters were seen competing with the brothers in reserving their future house in paradise, insha Allah. Jewelry, watches and cell phones were all being given away for the sake of Allah (SWT). Children were seen donating their pocket money and asking their parents for more money to donate. The ambience was electrified with the passions of Muslims, all seeking to aid the construction of the House of Allah (SWT). Altogether, we raised over $1,080,000 in pledges, exceeding for the first time the one million dollar mark! Allahu Akbar!

Fund-raising at a glance

Ramadan 2006	Ramadan 2007	Ramadan 2008	Ramadan 200
$213,000	$390,000	$830,000	$1,080,645

Dear sisters and brothers, no one but Allah (SWT) can reward you for your unwavering support for His masjid. All we, the management of MCECC, can say to you is, THANKS A MILLION!