Muslim leaders celebrate 30 years of Masjid At-Taqwa, offer vision of center to benefit Brooklyn community

By Nisa Islam Muhammad -Staff Writer- | Last updated: Feb 3, 2012 - 1:35:06 PM

Imams from all across the country join Imam Siraj Wahhaj on stage as Imam Abdul Malik raises funds to support the newly proposed Taqwa Center. Photos: Nisa Islam Muhammad

NEW YORK (FinalCall.com) - Muslim leaders from around the country gathered to celebrate 30 years of Masjid At-Taqwa under the direction of Imam Siraj Wahhaj as last year came to an end. They gathered to mark the masjid’s 30th year and to promote a future vision to benefit the community.

Close to 1,400 people heard a range of speakers, from New York State Senator Bill Perkins to widely known imams to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, who sent a recorded message from St. Kitts during his Caribbean tour, paid tribute to Imam Siraj Wahhaj.

“I and others have been touched by the imam’s majesty and growth in Islam. We in the Nation of Islam, share our love for you; for we greatly admire the work that you have done and are doing in the cause of Allah,” said Minister Farrakhan.

“We have been blessed to know Imam Siraj Wahhaj for 39 years and we know of this esteemed emir who guides your community in that he has been a faithful student of Islam, continuing to grow in his knowledge of Arabic, and Qur’an and other associated subjects that make him an esteemed Islamic scholar, not only here in America but wherever his faith touches, he is honored and respected.”

The relationship between Imam Siraj and Minister Farrakhan goes all the way back to the Nation of Islam’s Mosque No. 7 in New York during the 1970s when Minister Farrakhan replaced Malcolm X as the local Muslim minister.

“Imam Siraj was always studious,” explained Abdul Akbar Muhammad, who taught the mosque ministry class, which included the imam. “He excelled in the class, he was just great. Minister Farrakhan gave us the introduction to the Maulana Muhammad translation of the Holy Qu’ran to study and Imam Siraj always came prepared.”

“He never had a problem selling his papers (Muhammad Speaks). He was always at the mosque. His early days in the Nation of Islam have propelled him in his work today. His level of sincerity and determination was seen early.”

Imam Siraj Wahhaj and Student Minister Abdul Hafeez Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 7 in New York.

The current student minister of Mosque No. 7, Abdul Hafeez Muhammad, told the standing-room only crowd that for 30 years Imam Siraj has been a beacon of light in a community that was once suffering blight, and for 30 years has helped to keep women in the community in their Islamic garments as a sign of refinement.

“Organized evil will always defeat disorganized righteousness,” he said. “We must be organized and we’re putting our money where our mouth is.”

The event included new plans for a building called the Taqwa Center. Lead architect Munir Muhammad explained that the new building, which will cost $21 million will have five floors, meeting rooms, a school, a cafeteria, a multi purpose room and athletic facilities.

“It’s a 63,000 square-foot facility that will have a charter school and a community center. It’s not designed to be a mosque but it can be used for religious services. It’s a multi-purpose center to bring Islam to this Brooklyn community,” Munir Muhammad told The Final Call.

He came well recommended to this project, having been involved with the renovations on Mosque Maryam in Chicago, the Nation of Islam headquarters. Munir Muhammad said he wanted to be an architect since age 12 when he read a centerfold article by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the Muhammad Speaks newspaper.

“Imam Siraj wants this to function specifically as a community center. Something that the community can have that presently doesn’t exist. We are raising the seed money now and looking for donations,” he said.

Munir Muhammad is collaborating with Tyrone Hamid, CEO of Smart Growth Services Construction & Development, to develop the Taqwa Center. Ground-breaking will take place as soon as all of the money is raised, he explained.

Hip hop artist and actor Mos Def, who attends Masjid At- Taqwa, entertained guests.

Actor Mos Def, who attends Masjid At-Taqwa and spoken word artist Boona Muhammad, entertained guests. The list of Islamic notables speaking at the event included Imam Zaid Shakir and Sheikh Hamza Yusef, founders of Zaytuna College; Dr. Sherman Hakim Jackson, and Imam Qasim Ahmed.

“As coverts, we are extremely fortunate,” said Imam Suhaib Webb from Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood. “We maintain our Islam with men and women who keep our light lit. The greatest thing in my life after memorizing God’s book was to deliver a khutbah on imam’s minbar,” he said.

“Allah knows how much I love that man. Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t love Imam Siraj other than (Islam critic) Daniel Pipes? ... He’s always been a source of unity and bringing the Muslims together. We stand on the shoulders of giants,” said Imam Webb.

Curtis Muhammad contributed to this article.

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