Re-envisioning the Future of MFC’s Waterloo Masjid
For the last 7 years the house on Waterloo, more affectionately known as “the Musallah,” has served as the heart of MFC community life in Howard County: a place for prayer, learning and belonging. In 2025, the house officially became a masjid with on-site five daily prayers. Today, it is closed for much needed, overdue repairs. These pivotal repairs will lay the groundwork for future development.
The story of Waterloo Masjid isn’t over. We are re-envisioning the future. Help us lay a strong foundation, so we can re-open and serve the next generation, together.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever builds a masjid, seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will build for him the like of it in Paradise.”
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih MuslimPreserving Waterloo
Every future plan for MFC’s Waterloo Masjid (5796 Waterloo Rd, Columbia, MD 21045) depends on a building that is safe, sound and compliant with County regulations. This campaign covers that baseline.
Help us raise $175,000 before Thanksgiving, inshAllah
Note: Once you click the button above, please select “Waterloo Masjid” from the “Donate/Pay To” drop down to ensure your donation counts towards this campaign.
This is our Day 0
Before Thanksgiving, we need your support to fund the repairs that every future stage of Waterloo Masjid will be built on. Here is what your sadaqa jariya (donation) will cover:
Electrical & Fire Safety
Plumbing & Restrooms
HVAC & Ventilation
Structural & Building Safety
General Facility Improvements
Why this work cannot wait
County Compliance Is Due Now
It’s true, we are on a deadline. We are facing mandatory repairs to keep Waterloo Masjid safe, legal and open, on a timeline set by the County, not by us. The work must be finished before the end of 2026, and missing that deadline could result in hefty fines.
We Are Sacred Caretakers
In Islam, a masjid is a permanent trust. It does not close, it is not sold and it does not become something else. We are all its stewards, and therefore it is a responsibility, an amanah, on us to maintain the masjid, whether by donating funds for repairs and maintenance or volunteering our time to clean the prayer spaces or plant flowers.
Ramadan 2027 Readiness
With Ramadan only a few short months away, we need your help to re-open the masjid and host the next season of a popular Ramadan service for our beloved MFC community: Youth Led Taraweeh.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, like a sparrow’s nest for Allah or even smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”
Sunan Ibn MajahNote: Once you click the button above, please select “Waterloo Masjid” from the “Donate/Pay To” drop down to ensure your donation counts towards this campaign.
Where things stand
We check off each stage as it is completed, so you can follow the work from planning to final approval.
Planning
June to August 2026
Various MFC stakeholders poured hours into the planning of this project. Our priority is to do the work quickly and to do it right (professionally), so we can meet County requirements effectively and re-open for salah (prayer).
Construction & Repairs
September to December 2026
The construction and repair work is underway, Alhamdulillah! It began in early September and is slated for completion before year end. The focus areas of this work are outlined above.
Final County Inspection & Approval
December 2026
Get project updates
Project updates will be shared to the MFC Weekly email list. If you don’t already receive the MFC Weekly email newsletter that drops every Thursday morning, please sign up here.
One Community, Two Masjids
With its rich history, the story of MFC’s Waterloo Masjid is far from over; it’s only just beginning. We envision a multi-million dollar investment into Waterloo Masjid’s development over the next decade, and a future where Gateway and Waterloo Masjids serve as complementary spaces serving one community, not competing centers of activity.
These are the four (4) pivotal anchors that the vision for Waterloo Masjid will be grounded in:
Preserving Beauty & History
Keeping Waterloo the peaceful, intimate masjid it is, with all five daily prayers, while honoring the memories and connections that make it special.
Accessibility & MUHSEN
Creating a welcoming, accessible masjid where individuals and families of all abilities feel included, supported and connected.
Sakinah Gardens
Elevating Waterloo’s beautiful grounds into a premier outdoor space that MFC community members can enjoy with their families. A space for reflection, gatherings and time in nature.
Youth & Religious Programming
Building our youth and families in faith, using Waterloo Masjid’s intimate and cozy atmosphere to offer programs and services in deeply meaningful ways, such as Youth Led Taraweeh during the month of Ramadan.
Strong Foundations
Required repairs to be completed by the end of 2026. This is the important groundwork that Waterloo Masjid’s future will be built on, inshAllah.
Shape the Vision Together
A roadmap will be developed in 2027, inshAllah. Public engagement to finalize Waterloo’s future will be included. Details to come.
Build the Vision
Bringing the community’s plan to life, step by step.
Note: Once you click the button above, please select “Waterloo Masjid” from the “Donate/Pay To” drop down to ensure your donation counts towards this campaign.
From humble beginnings to a community built on faith
Before Gateway, before Waterloo, and even before MFC was formally established, there was a community with a simple vision: a place to pray, learn and grow together.
Where It All Began
Jumu’ah prayers at OBIC gave a growing Muslim community the space it needed. Monthly lectures, visiting scholars and gatherings soon followed, laying the foundation for MFC.
Growing Together
As we grew, we found temporary homes at Tarbiyah Academy and later in an office space generously provided by a community member. A growing vision needed a permanent home.
A House on Waterloo Becomes a Home
The Waterloo property was purchased in September 2018, and by January 2019 the community had moved in and turned it into a welcoming musallah. That summer, MFC formed its first working Board.
Where Community Flourished
Fajr halaqas, Quran memorization, youth gatherings, children’s programs and outdoor camping filled its rooms and grounds. Here families found belonging and MFC grew into the community we know today.
Waterloo Becomes a Masjid
The gathering space became a masjid offering all five daily prayers, a milestone that reflects years of faith, generosity and dedication.
Re-envisioning the Future
With your generous support, significant repairs will be completed by the end of 2026 that will lay the groundwork for future development. In 2027, a roadmap of Waterloo Masjid’s future development will be drafted and shared, inshAllah.
Waterloo Masjid has a bright future ahead!
The people behind the project
Mohamed Salah
Adil Daudi
Nida Sheikh
Questions about Waterloo Masjid
Have a question that is not answered here? Visit our general inquiries page.
Is Waterloo Masjid open right now?
No. As of Sept 14th, 2026, the Waterloo Masjid (5796 Waterloo Rd, Columbia, MD 21045) is temporarily closed for construction. For your safety, please do not enter the building under any circumstances. Daily congregational prayer (salah) can be attended at Gateway Masjid (7168 Columbia Gateway Dr #200, Columbia, MD 21046).
Where can I pray while Waterloo Masjid is closed?
Please visit MFC’s Gateway Masjid (7168 Columbia Gateway Dr #200, Columbia, MD 21046), which is currently operating and welcomes the community for prayers (salah) and programs. It is about a 10 minute drive from Waterloo Masjid. You can find prayer times on the MFC home page.
How long will Waterloo Masjid be closed?
Waterloo will remain closed until construction is completed, our fundraising goals are met, and the necessary inspections and approvals are received. Our goal is to move through each of these steps as quickly as possible and safely reopen Waterloo before year end, but we need your generous support.
How will I know how the “Strong Foundations” campaign is going?
The tracker on this page shows how much has been raised, and the Project Status section is checked off as each stage is completed. The MFC Weekly newsletter shares fuller updates.
How can I help besides giving?
Join us as a sacred caretaker. We hold volunteer days through the year, from planting to cleaning the prayer spaces. See current opportunities on our volunteer page, and share this page with family and friends.
Will the community have a say in Waterloo’s long-term future?
Yes. Stage 1 of the vision is built around public engagement, and details on how to take part will be shared in 2027. See the Envisioning the Future section above.
Help lay Waterloo Masjid’s Strong Foundations
Every gift brings Waterloo Masjid closer to reopening, and every share brings more of our community into its next chapter.
Note: Once you click Donate, please select “Waterloo Masjid” from the “Donate/Pay To” drop down to ensure your donation counts towards this campaign.