Alhamdullilah, we did it!
Our community came together, dug deeper than ever before, and made it happen. We have officially surpassed the $7.5M needed to close on this property!
Please note that any additional donations above the closing costs will go towards the renovation of our new masjid.
www.muslimfamilycenter.org/donate
Share this exciting news with family, friends and neighbors!
Let's build a legacy together. A world class, family-friendly, and welcoming masjid for a trusted institution that has served Howard County for 13+yrs
It was always about the people first. Now, it’s time to build the home for our community, together.
New Masjid Space Gateway to Paradise
Fundraising Status
Total: $7.5 mill+
Last updated 09/18/2024
Raise History:
as of 8/22/2024 - $7,086,461
as of 6/28/2024 - $6,607,154
as of 5/21/2024 - $6,236,875
as of 05/08/2024 - $6,001,359
as of 04/17/2024 - $2,839,058
as of 01/31/2024 - $2,616,792
as of 01/23/2024 - $2,412,267
as of 01/15/2024 - $2,315,420
as of 01/12/2024 - $2,083,781
as of 12/31/2023 - $1,731,680
as of 12/23/2023 - $1,183,000
Gateway to Paradise
Purpose: To secure a permanent home, an inviting and beautiful masjid facility to serve the Muslim Family Center (MFC) community in Columbia, MD for generations to come.
Property Location: 7168 Columbia Gateway Dr, Columbia, MD 21046
Property Price: $7.5 million
Current Status: Under Contract
Location Benefits
Located in the Columbia Gateway Business Park
Prime location in Howard County
Walkable area / pedestrian friendly
No heavy congestion / traffic on the weekends
Accessible from major roads - 29, 175, 32 and 95
Property Features
Year Built: 1988
Building Size: 41,094 SF
Parking: 150+ Spaces (Potentially more as shared lots have combined over 400+ spaces; to confirm during due diligence period)
One Expansive Floor
High ceilings - 17’ Clear, 19’ to Deck
Already built-out entrances, offices/conference rooms
Bottom: Interior Photos - 7168 Columbia Gateway Drive. There are two current office build-outs in the complex. One that is renovated and one that is not.
Top: Current Interior Floorplan - 7168 Columbia Gateway Drive
What we’re envisioning
Full renovation of the space
On-site 5 daily congregational prayers
On-site jummah (musallah capacity: 1100+)
Women and children’s areas
On-site cafe
Youth lounge and event spaces
Multiple offices and classrooms
Sports gym
Top: Our Vision - Preliminary Architectural Design, subject to change
(click on image to enlarge)
Future Renovations - Interior Design Concept
Photos from the current Muslim Family Center (MFC) Musallah space at Waterloo Road to depict what renovated spaces at 7168 Columbia Gateway could look like.
Images: Admin Office, Youth Lounge, Treehouse Young Children’s Play Area, and Kitchen at 5796 Waterloo Road (Current MFC Musallah)
Designed by Local Experts: Faiza Baig (IG: @faizabaigandco)- Lead Designer and Rehma Hady - Interior Decorator
Gateway to Paradise - Masjid Acquisition Project Phases
-
Phase 1 (Dec-Jan 2024)
✓ Completed seller negotiations by obtaining a SIGNED Letter of Intent (LOI) by the Seller
✓ Began raising funds for initial purchase
-
PHASE 1 UPDATE:
DONE, ALHAMDULLILAH
-
Phase 2 (Jan-Apr 2024)
✓ Held a full-houseCommunity Townhall at OBIC on Jan 14th, shared project details and conducted open Q&A
✓ Formed an Architectural Design Committee that will establish the RFP and process to incorporate community feedback
-
PHASE 2 UPDATE:
DONE, ALHAMDULLILAH
-
Phase 3 (Apr 2024 - Beyond)
Determine if a final contract will be signed
Once initial purchase is complete, conduct initial renovations to begin Jummah on-site by August 2024 (InshAllah)
PHASE 3 UPDATE: As of September 18, 2024
Wrapping up due diligence phase
FUNDS HAVE BEEN RAISED TO CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY, ALHAMDULLILAH!!
Build a legacy for future generations.
To give a pledge and/or qard hasan (loan) please complete the following form.
FAQs
-
Jazak Allah khairun for considering supporting our masjid project! You can donate here. Your generosity is truly appreciated. May Allah (swt) reward you and your family with the best in this life and the next, Ameen!
-
You can give Qard Hasan by filling out the form here. Jazak Allah khairun for your willingness to provide a Qard Hasan (benevolent loan) to support our project.
-
InshAllah, MFC will be dedicated to honor requests for the payback schedule submitted within the Qard Hasan loan. We appreciate loans that may be up to 7 years, and will try to pay back early as soon as funds are secured and available.
-
There will be a shared musallah space for everyone, as well as additional / overflow spaces to accommodate large crowds, sisters who are not praying but are part of the congregation, and families with young children.
-
We are currently in seller negotiations. If the negotiation goes through, we will begin a due diligence study period over the property, which is a common step in the process for acquiring commercial buildings. The study period will likely last through the end of March/early April 2024, which is also a normative time period to conduct a study on a commercial building. After which we will determine if we will sign the final contract to purchase. If Allah wills and we sign, inshAllah we are anticipating starting to use the space for Jummah as early as August 2024.
-
Yes - the space will need to be renovated and the renovations will be done in phases, starting with the Musallah so that it is one of the first areas within the buidling that can be used to begin salat. Alhamdulilah half of the building ( about 20k SF of the space) is already renovated into nice offices/conference rooms and can be used immediately. This portion of the building will be renovated over time in phases to build out the cafe and gym and other areas.
-
Currently, the plan is to keep this space.
-
All project updates, including how much has been raised with your support, will be provided on this website.
Team
Project Manager: Asma Patel (asma.patel@muslimfamilycenter.org)
Special Legal Counsel: Adil Daudi and Umar Moghul
Advisory Consultant: Amir Ahmad
Project Sponsors:
MFC Board of Directors
Tubah Sultan
Ehab Hassan
Sami Zaharna
Yasmeen Abou-Sayed
Ayman Rahman
Hussein Ezzeldin
Khaled Helmi
Contact us.
Masjid Project Contact: asma.patel@muslimfamilycenter.org
General Email: info@muslimfamilycenter.org
Muslim Family Center is a registered 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization that has been serving the spiritual needs of the Muslim community in Howard County, MD for over a decade. [TAX ID # 46-5035493]
Our Mission: To nurture spiritual excellence within families by offering purposeful programs and services in an uplifting and inclusive environment.
Current Musallah (Open for Fajr and Isha)
5796 Waterloo Road, Columbia, MD 21045
© 2023 Muslim Family Center. All rights reserved.