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Islamic facility planned near Pleasant Valley
The North American Islamic Foundation eventually hopes to build a new facility in Chantilly.Members of the Herndon-based organization that serves Muslims throughout Northern Virginia are just waiting to resolve some internal issues and for the economic climate to improve, said Hussain Salimi, president of the foundation.
They purchased about 24 acres just off Pleasant Valley Road in 2005, hoping to create a place for the growing Muslim community to expand.
The largest mosque in Northern Virginia is the All Dulles Area Muslim Society building in Sterling, which is difficult for some people to commute to, Salimi said.
“We have a huge community in the Chantilly, Manassas and Herndon areas,” Salimi said. “A place in Chantilly would be perfect.”
The Muslim population in Northern Virginia has grown tremendously during the turn of the century, Khalid Iqbal, deputy director of the ADAMS Center, said. Much of that growth has occurred along the Dulles Corridor where there are engineering and high tech jobs that are attractive to the Muslim community, Salimi said.
The land for the planned facility is across the road from the Pleasant Valley Golf Club and just south of three Christian churches and the Rajdhani Mandir Temple.
Residents in that area are already concerned about the growing amount of traffic the existing houses of worship on the road attract.
Salimi said there was a plan to build but, because of some internal reasons he could not elaborate on and the economy, plans to build are on hold and uncertain.
“Insha' Allah [if Allah wills], we will build the Masjid center in Chantilly. ... Please donate generously,” reads a request for donations on the foundation's Web site.
“There are tremendous needs for the growth of the community for more mosques in the area,” Iqbal said.
“It may take us a while unless things dramatically improve,” Salimi said.
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