ISTANBUL 

The Muslim Community Association (MCA) will host its annual fundraising dinner on Sept. 7 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Santa Clara in the US state of California.

The event aims to bring together community members to raise funds for the MCA’s campus expansion project, known as MCA 3.0.

The MCA, one of the largest Islamic centers in the US, has served the Bay Area community since the late 1970s. Over the years, it has grown to provide a range of services, from religious education to social and community support programs. It is now a vital part of the local Muslim community.

The fundraising dinner will focus on supporting MCA 3.0, an ambitious project designed to transform the existing campus into a state-of-the-art facility that addresses the growing needs of the community. The planned expansion includes new educational facilities, recreational areas and community spaces.

Expanding for a better future

MCA 3.0 is a visionary project to create a 34,000-square-foot space designed to enhance student learning, provide educational resources for future generations, and serve as a focal point for recreation and community engagement.

The planned expansion will create new facilities for members, including a sports complex with a gymnasium, fitness rooms, outdoor courts and a youth center. It will also provide a student lounge, dedicated spaces for boys and girls and new classrooms for Islamic and academic education.

“This project is really important for all of us – and for the growth of our community,” Mohammad Islam, chairman of the MCA’s board of trustees, told Anadolu.

The planned expansion also includes the construction of a multipurpose hall to host community events, a cafe and an outdoor playground.

“We’re not only building these facilities, we’re developing a community center and institutions for future generations,” Islam said.

Supporting the next generation

Indira Kaljo, the MCA’s youth director, expressed enthusiasm about the new facilities, which will cater specifically to young community members.

“We’re going to organize programs for the community, members of which will have a safe place, a safe environment,” Kaljo said.

“This is why we need the support of the community—to make this a reality for generations to come,” she added.

The MCA 3.0 project is especially focused on providing a safe, welcoming environment for young people, with dedicated spaces for study, recreation and sports.

- Inclusivity and community needs

The expansion project is also designed with inclusivity in mind. Plans for a women-only gym were particularly well-received by attendees.

“This is critical for our youth, seniors and especially women,” said Ahmed Abdi, board treasurer for Granada Islamic School (GIS). “We don’t have a women-only gym in the area, so we encourage the community to support this project.”

In addition to the gym, the new campus will include facilities for seniors and spaces for women’s programs, reflecting the MCA’s commitment to serving all groups within the community.

“I encourage everyone to come on Sept. 7 and assist in the community’s growth and development,” Islam said.

A student at GIS noted the impact that the MCA has had on their daily life.

“I'm around Muslims all day. I can study my religion. I can pray in the masjid, learn about the religion, learn about tafsir,” he said, referring to the scholarly interpretation and explanation of the verses of the Holy Quran.

“Alhamdulillah (Thank God), it’s impacted my life in a very positive way.”

Call for community support

The event will also underscore the MCA’s longstanding commitment to fostering a strong and inclusive community.

The organization’s president, Samer Darwish, who has been part of the community for over three decades, spoke about the ongoing need for support.

“We started in the late 1970s and have continuously supported the community in various ways: through programs for women, youth, seniors and others,” he said.

“We encourage continued support for the MCA at all levels,” he added.

Darwish emphasized Islamic values, urging attendees to remember the importance of purity of intention in all of their efforts.

“The key to our work is sincerity,” he said. “This work is for Allah. We ask for His blessing to serve our community.”