Minutes From Open Community Meeting September 24, 2010

Masjid Al Emaan

Minutes from the Open Community Meeting 9/24/10

The meeting was officially started at 9:10pm on September 24, 2010 at the Masjid Al Emaan located on N. Pershing Ave STE B21 Stockton, CA 95207. The meeting was called to Order by Executive Secretary Bro. Dawud Abu Bakr. (continued after the jump)

Those Board Members in Attendance were President Fahmy Nasser, Vice-President Basel Karabala, and Treasurer Dr. Anan Faidi, Executive Sec. Dawud Abu Bakr, Board Member Abeer Faidi, Board Member Mohamed Bagobri; those not present are Asst. Treasurer Imadeddin Khairallah and Board Member Amal Karabala.

And from the Board of Trustees in Attendance were Head of the Board Sh. Mohammed Al-Otoum: those not present are Imam Ibrahim Skafi, Dr. Thabet Karabala.

 9:12pm the was meeting started by Sh. Mohammed by reading a Ayat from the Al- Qur’an

9:16pm Bro. Dawud read the Agenda and Rules of the meeting to the Board Members and the Community. Bro. Dawud then turned the meeting over to President Fahmy.

9:19pm President introduced himself and the introduced the other Executive members, and what roll each member does on this board. President Fahmy then read a statement to the community” We are here to serve you and to represent you and see that the needs of this Masjid are met and that we allow anyone within our community access to us. We will listen to your suggestions and comments. But you must help us to serve you better. Because we sit here before you today we are not above you and our main goal is the pleasure of Allah (swt) and to ensure that this Masjid is run by the rules of Qur’an Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (saaw) and Hadith and Sharia rulings. And our By-Laws.

9:25pm President Fahmy then introduced Sh. Mohammed

9:25 pm Sh. Mohammed introduced himself as the Head of Trustees and those who also serve on the Trustees committee. Sh. Mohammed told the community that it was the duties of the Trustees to make sure that the Masjid is performing the normal day to day operations, such making sure that the bills are paid on time. That the Masjid is, open every day for prayers. To assign those, to lead Jummah Prayers and perform the Kubath. To make sure the Masjid is clean. And to make sure that decisions from the Exec. Board is carried out. And other duties assigned to them as stated in our By-Laws.

9:30pm Sh. Mohammed turn the meeting over to President Fahmy who then introduce Dr. Faidi to speak about the Masjid Finances.

9:31pm Dr. Faidi stated that Masjid has a grand total of 47,300 dollars in the Bank of Stockton and from that 5,000 was in a checking account for the Masjid expenses (such as rent electric and miscellanies items) and it take two signatures to sign any check his and the President. Stand by signatures are Vice-President Basel Karabala and Imadeddin Khairallah. And a building fund was setup for the Masjid. Dr. told the community that our goal is to collect between 75,000 to 100,000 by the end, of the year. That is the amount we need to purchase land or another building for the Masjid. He also spoke about how donations after, Ramadan has dropped. We were collecting; at least 1,200 to 1,500 a week now are barely collecting 500.00 a week.  After speaking Dr. Faidi turned the meeting over to President Fahmy who then asked Bro. Dawud to speak about our status with the State and IRS.

9:40pm Brother Dawud told the community that all papers for the state had been filed and that we should get our articles of Incorporation and our books and seal stamp within 30-45 days after filing and that once we receive our certificate from the state we will proceed to file our 501c3 status with the IRS. We should look to having everything completed by Dec 2010. And as for now we can take donations because we have to file with the IRS within 27 months of state approval. Brother Dawud then turned the meeting over to President Fahmy who then spoke about our 3 year plan for the Masjid.

9:45pm President Fahmy told the community that during his term as President that this board will be transparency board and that we will not make a decision and not inform the community of our decision. And that the financial status of this Masjid is open to those who wish to know. He also stated that we were elected to make decisions and sometimes everyone might not like our decisions, but we will always have the best interest of this Masjid first! He then spoke about forming Volunteer Sub-Committees. Some of these committees will be a Women’s Committee, Youth Outreach Committee, Junior Executive Board, Dawah Committee, and others. That we will setup a Bi-Monthly Newsletter and use the internet to keep the community informed of events around our area. These items will be started this year with the help of the community.  He said that we should be breaking ground on the new Masjid by the end of 2011 and how we must increase membership and use our Volunteer Committee to work on making our Masjid better and the community as a whole better for Muslim and Non-Muslims alike. He said we need to start now! Next he spoke about 2012 and that if Allah (swt) has blessed us our new Masjid will be under construction, and that membership is up because people will see that we are not just talking but performing actions and deeds.  He said our new Masjid must be able to hold at least 500 men and 300 women, we want to have parking for 400 cars and we will also use that space to hold outdoor events.  To have a full banquet hall which we can hold lectures and other events inside, plus we can rent it out other events. A modern kitchen that, can prepare meals for 300 people. A video and audio facilities for Dawah programs. A new Islamic Bookstore: and Clothes for sale.  He spoke about that if we work hard together and pray to Allah (swt) to guide us and help us in this undertaking we can succeed in it. And that by 2014 we are ready to undertake our  ground breaking for the truly first Muslim School in the Central Valley that we will enroll children from ages 5-18 and be blessed to give to the world the best and brightest children and children who Love Allah (swt) and his Prophet (saaw) and are proud to be Muslim! President Fahmy said other Muslim communities are doing it why can’t we. And we must not listen to anyone tell us we can’t do it before we even start! 10:00pm President Fahmy then opens the meeting to the community for their questions and comments.   

PLEASE SEE RESPONSES TO THE COMMUNITY QUESTIONS FOR DETAILS

President Fahmy then asked Allah (swt) to be pleased with our meeting and to guide us on the right path.

11:35pm Meeting was adjoined

These Minutes were taken by Executive Dawud Abu Bakr on this Day September 24, 2010

Note from Editor:  Questions and responses are in the works.  Please be patient and they will be posted soon, Insha'Allah.