In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
THE BY-LAWS
OF THE DAR AL-HIJRAH ISLAMIC CENTER
Approved on March 11, 1999
Amended in May 2005
Amended in January 2009
Amended in April 2010
Amended in May 2011
Article I: Name and Location
The name of the corporation shall be Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center (hereinafter referred to as the “corporation”). The principal office for the corporation in the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be located in the County of Fairfax.
Article II: Description
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center is a non-profit, non-political, religious, cultural, charitable, and educational institution.
Article III: Purposes
The purpose and activities of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center shall be to advance the teachings of Islam and to serve the Muslim
community and community at large in the Greater Washington area. Towards this end, it shall:
Section I: Activities
1- Hold congregational prayers and Islamic religious festivals and ceremonies at proper times.
2- Promote closer ties, relations, unity, and cooperation among Muslims residing in the Washington Metropolitan area to achieve
its goals and objectives within the law of the land.
3- Promote better relations and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.
4- Advance Islamic education through various projects, programs and activities.
5- Promote friendly relations and understanding between the Muslim community and the community at large.
6- Educate Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam.
Section II: Facilities
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center shall maintain a place(s) of worship which shall be known as Masjid(s)(mosque(s)).
Section III: Office
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center shall maintain an office on its premises.
Article IV: Affiliation
The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center shall be affiliated with the following organizations:
1- Muslim American Society (MAS)
2- North American Islamic Trust (NAIT)
3- Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Article V: Membership
Section I: Categories
The membership of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center shall consist of three categories: Honorary membership, Associate membership, and Regular membership. Only those who accept the purpose of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center and abide by its constitution, by-laws, and membership requirements may become members in any of the three following categories:
1- Honorary member:
This membership may be granted to individuals who provided exceptional services to Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
2- Associate Member:
This membership may be granted to any Muslim residing of the Metropolitan Washington area. Holders of this category are not entitled to vote or to be elected to any post at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. Members of this category must pay an annual membership fee.
3- Regular Member:
This membership may be granted to any associate member residing in the Washington Metropolitan area who successfully completes the educational Islamic programs and activities of Dar Al-Hijrah
Islamic Center for at least two consecutive years and endorsed by membership committee. Holders of this membership are entitled to vote, to nominate, and to be elected to any elected post of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. Members of this category must pay an annual membership fee.
Section II: Requirements of Membership
1- A person who does not believe in, accept, or adhere to the Holy Quran and the Sunna according to the interpretations of Ahl Al-Sunna Wal-Jama’a (Scholars of Sunna) may not become an Associate or Regular member.
2- Associate and Regular members must practice Islam according to the Holy Quran and the Sunna (teachings and example) of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him).
3- A member must be at least 18 years of age.
4- The term of the membership is one Hijrah year (one year in the Islamic calendar) and renewable.
5- An applicant must complete a membership application form.
6- An applicant must not be a member of any outlawed organization by US laws.
7- All membership application must be approved by the Executive Committee of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
8- Associate and Regular members must pay an annual membership fee set by the Executive Committee.
9- Every regular member shall pronounce and sign a Pledge of Allegiance to Islam and Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Constitution as prepared by the Board.
Section III: Privileges
Any member is entitled to Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center benefits.
Section IV: Withdrawal of Membership
Any member may resign or withdraw his/her membership upon a written letter to the Executive Committee of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
Section V: Suspension of Membership
Section VI: Elections and Voting Procedures
The Board of Directors shall appoint an election committee to manage all issues related to elections including nomination of members.
Article VI: Board of Directors
Section I: Description
The Board of Directors is the highest decision-making authority for the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. Members of the Board of Directors are founders, current and former holders of executive posts, and active personalities advancing the work of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
Section II: General Powers
The Board of Directors shall supervise all affairs of the corporation through the following means:
1- To approve or cancel election results if contested.
2- To approve, amend, or reject for the annual budget and activity plan presented by the Executive Committee.
3- To discuss reports presented by the Executive Committee and provide recommendations accordingly.
4- To discuss special requests by the community via the Executive Committee.
5- To intervene whenever necessary to resolve any dispute, crisis, or decision that may be viewed by the Board as contradictory or harmful to best interests of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
6- To make certain that all activities and financial affairs are conducted professionally and in accordance with the law of the land.
7- The Board is entitled to intervene in any issue related to Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center and its decisions are binding for all bodies of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
Section III: Formation
The Board of Directors shall consist of nine directors including:
Section IV: Meetings
1- A minimum of one annual regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held. Secretary of the Board shall serve written notice to all directors at least one month prior to the meeting.
2- Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Executive Committee, one-third of the Directors, or one-third of the General Assembly. Written notice of special meeting must be served at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
Section V: Quorum
A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board. If less than the majority of the Directors are present at the said meeting, a majority of the Directors present may call for a new meeting.
Section VI: Resolutions
The act of a majority of the Board of Directors present at a legal meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. Changing of the constitution, any constitutional amendments, or the by-laws, requires a two-third of the total number of the Board of Directors.
Section VII: Vacancies
Any vacancy in the board of directors because of death, sickness, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, should be filled in accordance with Article VI, section III for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section VIII: Officers
The Board of Directors shall elect among its members the following officers:
Section IX: Duties and Responsibilities of the Officers
A- Chairman of the Board of Directors:
1- To supervise all business of the corporation.
2- To preside at all meetings of the Board.
3- To conduct all business and legal transactions on behalf of the corporation.
4- To take all necessary measures to protect the interests of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. All measures taken by the Chairman of the Board of Directors must be reviewed by the Board of Directors in a meeting to be within one month of such measures. It is up to the Board of Directors to uphold, alter, or cancel such measures.
B- Vice Chairman:
The Vice Chairman assumes all responsibilities allocated to the post of the Chairman in the event of his absence.
C- Treasurer:
The treasurer shall be responsible for all funds, financial affairs, records, and securities of the corporation. He shall preside over the finance committee.
D- Secretary:
The Secretary shall be responsible for the following:
1- To keep the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors.
2- To serve notice of the meetings in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws or as required by law.
3- To maintain all records and the seal of the corporation.
4- To see that the seal of the corporation is affixed to all corporate documents in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws.
Section X: Compensation
Directors who are not residents of the Washington Metropolitan area may be compensated for all travel and accommodation expenses while attending official business of the Board.
Section XI: Term of the Board of Directors
1- The term of the elected members of the Board of Directors shall be four years.
2- No one can be elected for more than two consecutive terms.
3- On the assumption of his/her office, each member of the Board of Directors shall agree to and sign an oath of office as prepared by the Board.
Section XII: Resignation
The Board of Directors shall decide whether to accept or reject resignations of any Director.
Section XIII: Removal
1- The Board of Directors shall remove any Director who fails to carry out his responsibilities by two-third of the total members of the Board of Directors.
2- Excluding the posts by position, any director shall be removed from the Board of Directors if s/he loses his/her status as a Regular member.
Article VII: The Executive Committee
Section I: Formation
1- The Board of Directors appoints an Executive Directors to Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
2- The Executive Committee shall consist of the executive director and his appointed team as approved by the board of Directors.
Section II: Compensation
1- Members of the executive committee may be compensated for their services
Section III: Responsibilities
1- To manage the daily affairs of the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
2- To organize and supervise activities and programs to achieve the objectives of the corporation.
3- To submit the annual budget and activity plan to the approval of the Board of Directors.
4- To hire/terminate employees (with approval of the board in case of full-time staff)
5- To set up committees.
Section IV: Term
1- The term of the Executive Committee shall be two years.
2- On the assumption of his office, each member of the Executive Committee shall agree to and sign an oath of office as prepared by the Board.
Article VIII: The General Assembly
Section I: Members
The General Assembly consists of all Regular members of the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.
Section II: Quorum
Simple Majority of all regular members shall constitute quorum in any legal meeting.
Section III: Responsibilities
1- To elect four members of the board of directors.
2- To make recommendations to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
3- To deliberate a comprehensive report by the Executive Committee at least once a year.
Article IX: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December each year.
Article X: Amendments to By-Laws
These by-laws may be altered, amended or replaced and new by-laws may be adopted by two-third of the total number of the Board of Directors.
Article XI: Nondiscrimination
The facilities and activities of the corporation shall be open to all interested persons without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin, provided that these persons subscribe to and uphold the objectives of the corporation and abide by the rules and regulations established by the management of the corporation.
Article XII: Dissolution
Upon dissolution of this Corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities, dispose of all assets of the Corporation exclusively to the Muslim American Society, which is an exempt organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In case of the non-existence of the Muslim American Society as a Section 501 (c) (3) organization, first disposal shall be to an Islamic organization operated exclusively for religious, charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shown at the time qualified as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law, as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not shown as disposed of, shall be disposed of by a Court of Common Pleas of the County in which the Principal Office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such Islamic organizations as said Court shall determine.