Identity of Dar Al-Hijrah:

Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center (DAHICC) is a religious, educational, social, and charitable non- profit organization dedicated to serving the Muslim community in Minnesota. The Center also strives to work with anyone interested in learning about Islamic values and customs. DAHICC was established in 1998 in response to the needs of the growing Muslim community in the Twin Cities. Since then, DHICC has been operating and providing essential services in line with its mission. DAHICC demonstrates the compatibility between Islamic principles and the principles of democracy. 

Core Islamic Principles

• The Five Pillars: Declaration of Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage
• The Six Articles of Faith: To belief in Allah (God), Angels, Books, Messengers, Day of Judgment and Devine Fate-Predestination
• The Essentials of Life: Protection of Faith, Life, Intellect, Property, and dignity

Core Democratic Principles as Applied to Faith Institution
  
Faith communities should be about developing the moral capacity of the people to produce a just society. Within a democratic society, moral capacity encompasses both religious precepts and democratic principles. DAHICC accepts that the following civic principles are compatible with Islamic principles and they aim to develop the civic capacity needed for DAHICC to carry out its identity and mission. 

Human Capacity

DAHICC believes that human beings are created as God’s representatives on earth; and that every human being has worth and the capacity to know what is good, to grow in that knowledge, to co-create justice, and to govern for the common good. Every human being has a God-given purpose and gifts for contributing to the common good.

Democracy

As long we understand that we are God’s representatives on earth—governance by the people—can be a good form of governance to safeguard human dignity and achieve the common good. Governance happens in DAHICC’s identity comprises these concepts in the tension between these ideals: law and conscience, freedom and equity, diversity and unity. In our institution and in our society, we need to renew the understanding of religion as representing God’s rule on earth, and develop the capacity of the people to govern for the good of the whole.

Active Citizenship

DAHICC believes that Muslim people have an obligation to be active citizens both in their congregations and in the larger society. An active citizen takes on the obligations of a governing member: to participate in public deliberation, decision making, and policy making in good faith to move towards the common good. No matter what structure of authority exists, a citizen cannot abdicate responsibility to govern for the good of the whole.

Political Competence

DAHICC believes that in order to build the common good, faithful citizens have an obligation to come to the public square to deliberate with others of diverse opinions. DAHICC has an obligation to develop the civic competence of members so they can participate effectively. We need to contribute to finding common ground among diverse viewpoints in order to govern for the common good.

Institutional Efficacy (Capacity)

DAHICC believes that a just society is sustained through a strong civic infrastructure in which all individuals and all institutions organize to achieve that end. Institutions should be governing assemblies (“Majlis/Gole”) that build and sustain the civic infrastructure in alignment with institutions from other sectors.

The Goals of DAHICC: 

• Establishing the rites of Islam such as prayers, ceremonies, and celebrations
• Providing Islamic teachings to both Muslims, and non-Muslims, and familiarizing them with Islam’s beliefs and way of life
• Cooperating with other Islamic organizations to build common platform, and promote community institutions
• Providing essential services to Muslims including Mosques and Islamic schools
• Promotion of better relations and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims
• Offering opportunities for religious, social, and educational services for the community in Minnesota

DAHICC Programs:

1.    Education

Education is a human right, as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said; “Seeking knowledge is mandatory upon every Muslim male or female”. Therefore providing educational opportunities is one of the priorities of DAHICC.   

A.   Part-Time Islamic School

DAHICC Islamic schools currently serve students of all ages. The curriculum includes memorization of the Holy Qur’an, Islamic Beliefs (Aqeedah), Arabic literacy, Islamic Manners (Tarbiyah), Islamic History, the Prophet’s Life (Seerah), the Prophet’s Tradition (Hadeth), Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Remembrance of Allah (Thikr), and Somali Language. Current existing schools are Salahudin, Iftin, and Sheikh Ali Sufi Islamic Schools.

The aims of these schools are:

•    To transmit authentic Islamic knowledge for students to uphold their Islamic identity
•    To keep the rites and costums of Islam and Muslims alive through learning early historical and cultural generations
•    To produce conscious, successful, and productive citizens who posses the leadership skills to face future challenges

B.  Iqra Night High School

DAHICC also provides a high school in partnership with Volunteers of America where students earn a regular high school diploma. The school serves students of ages 16-21, and adult learners over age 21.

2.   Counseling Office

The well being of any civilization rests upon the realms of family. The foundation of family is marriage.  In Islam, marriage is a lawful agreement and a revered act. From these families emerge different nations and tribes with diverse features, opinions, ideas, norms, etc. Therefore, communication with families has to be accurate and respectful. The interconnections between the husband, wife, children, and relatives are crucial part of any family dynamics.
Therefore, DAHICC established a counseling office where the imam provides counseling on social issues such as marriage, divorce, and conflict resolution.

3.  Youth Department

Dar Al-Hijrah Council (DYC) is a committee appointed by the Board to organize the youth. DYC welcomes any Muslim youth in Minnesota to enhance their religion and culture, expand their educational level, strengthen family ties, institute integrity, and work for a better future. DYC utilizes Islamic philosophy, education and training, to engage the community and unify the youth. DYC has the following subcommittees: education, finance, management, technology, sport, and public relations.

Salahudin Student Union (SSU) is a week-end school student organization that helps youth get more involved in Islamic activities. Its mission statement is “To get Muslim youths involved in the community and keep their Islamic values”. SSU is a branch of Dar Al-Hijrah Youth Council that deals with younger students. It works closely with students in elementary and middle schools, operates bimonthly journal, holds Islamic events, workshops, and produces documentaries regarding issues in our society.

DYC/SSU Programs

• Weekly Study Circles (Halaqa)
  
  The halaqa focuses on the youth so that they can enhance their knowledge of Islam through spiritual and intellectual enhancement. The halaqa also prospers the idea of creating connection and understanding between the youth and the scholars. Deep thinking about Islam and life is the core of this halaqa, so that youth become critical thinkers. In addition, the halaqa imparts mutual understanding and sharing of ideas. This would result in an environment of brother/sisterhood and understanding.
  
  
• Bi-Monthly Events
  
   These events offer high engagement for the youth. DYC brings different scholars, encouraging entertainments that are compatible with the religion, forms group discussions to share ideas, provides rewards for youth after the occasion, etc. These events include spiritual guidance, educational workshops, and awareness.

• Salahudin Journal (SJ)
  
  Salahudin Journal is published by Salahudin Student Union a group of youth from Salahudin Week-end Islamic School. It is produced tri-monthly, and this is part of the community that promotes education and knowledge. Each issue covers current community news, Islamic topics, health, science, education, and literature.

4.   Health Screening Center (DAHSC)

Dar Al-Hijrah Health Screening Center (DAHSC) is a free and accessible health service provided by Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center for the community in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health.  Members of the community check their blood pressure, diabetes, weight, height, and child and teen check ups.

 The Objects of DAHSC are to:

• Eliminate the health disparities within the Somali community
•  Create an accessible health screening and routine check-ups for diabetes and high blood pressure
•  Provide a bridge between faith based medical practice and modern health practices
•  Create a network with other health organizations and care providers
•  Teach and educate the community members about the dangers and symptoms of different diseases
•  Raise community health awareness and create healthier environment
•  Create a behavioral change so the client gets into a habit of preventive care

Studies show that almost 18.2 million Americans have diabetes; 5.2 million of these do not even know if they have it.  Diabetes and Hypertension are major chronic diseases in the United Sates and else where in the world and could lead to heart attack, stroke, arteriosclerosis, blindness, kidney failure, impotence in men.
 Medical assistants help the patients with blood pressure and diabetes and will give them the necessary advice. In addition to this daily operation, DHS also works in variety of other settings from home visiting to public events.