DIRECTORS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006

Mosque is our identity. Ever since Muslim Foundation was incorporated in the year 1982 it has worked to raise a mosque. By the Grace of Allah SWT this dream has come through when the foundation of MASJID E IMAM ALI was laid, on September 9, 07; immediately following the date our beloved Imam AKHRI –E- ZAMAN was born). The beaming smile on the faces of the founding directors: Brothers Manzoor Rizvi, Nasir Shamsi, Ashraf Husain Panjwani, and Syed Baqar Rizvi added to the glamour of the occasion. They had seen this day after 25 years of their efforts. The new team was however fortunate to have reached this day of joy and thanks to their creator, within 8 years. They commenced their work under a new Constitution in April 1998, purchased the existing land and a house thereon (within three years) in the year 2002, after having taken a loan of $400,000. This was paid off within three years in the year 2005; having followed a very strict financial discipline.

Scholars, School Children, Brothers and sisters who came to attend this joyous and blessed occasion expressed their feelings by making generous donations. A sum of $260,000 were collected and pledged by the participants.

Amongst the distinguished guests were Scholars from all over New Jersey, New York, Washington and Virginia. This occasion was also graced by the Assembly man, Mayor, eight other members of the city government, senior Police Officers and all of them regardless of their cast and creed not only extended their very good wishes for the completion of this project but also made sincere promises for their cooperation and help.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

Drawings of Revised Elevation and Site Plans retaining the existing house were submitted in January 2006 and these were given conditional approval by the Planning Board of the Township on April 19, 2006.

Quotations were obtained from two construction Companies for completion of the Site Plans. The Board of Directors after due deliberations and consultations with a few technical experts awarded the contract to Berto Construction Co for $1.23 millions.

All the conditionality placed by five different Local Government Authorities were finally fulfilled and the project was launched on September 09, 06.

Quotations received from two different architects for detailed drawings were deliberated by the Board and the work comprising all the four required drawings, was given to Mr. Mark Marcello at an agreed fee of $ 99,340.

Supervision of the construction is generally quoted by the architect at 5 to 6% of the total cost of construction; to reduce these costs we have persuaded an experienced person to do this job at a very reduced fee, half of it is being donated by him to the Mosque Fund.

Detailed drawings for the main building will INSHALLAH be submitted in May 2007 to the Township Authorities for their approval.

To make major savings in the cost of construction search is on for reliable contractors to do this work.

Our sincere thanks are due to Brother Agha Afsar Abbas for devoting his time and energies for affectively progressing this project.

FUNDS REQUIRED FOR THE MOSQUE PROJECT

Payments are to be made to the Site plan Contractor on completion of 70 % of the Site work and this works out to $861,000. To meet this liability, which is due for payment some time in April ’07, we have an urgent need to raise a minimum of $500,000.

In addition to this we need funds to raise the Mosque and the Buildings. The independent engineers/valuers have estimated that the cost of raising the Mosque and the buildings will be in the region of $5 million. We have to raise a good portion of this fund as well before starting the work some time in May/June this year..

CHANGES TO THE BOARD.

Brothers Ashraf Husain Panjwani, Syed Sibte Rizvi, Barkat Jafri and Jaffar A. Naqvi and Sister Rukhsana Naqvi were elevated to the position of Director Emeritus. As Director Emeritus they will no longer be required to attend regular meetings of the Board but will continue to advice the Board from time to time. The Board would like to place on record our sincere thanks for their active participation and valuable services rendered by them.

On completion of three years, elections were held under the Constitution ,on December 10, 06, for the four positions of office bearers and despite reluctance of some of the office bearers the out going team was re-elected for three years comprising:
Brothers Mohammad Sarwat Ali, as Chairman, Asad Sadiq as Vice Chairman, Aftab Husain as President, and Iqbal Husain Jafri as Vice President.

The Board nominated Brothers Asad Sadiq as Director – Public Relations, Iqbal Husain Jafri as Director- Jafaria School and Agha Afsar Abbas as Director – Construction.

PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR.

By the Grace of Allah SWT Ramadan and Moharrum Programs went of well. These programs had to be conducted at the rented hall costing additional money. May Allah SWT reward the sponsors.

This year’s Ramadan Program was addressed by Maulana Syed Jawad Qazwani and Moharrum Majalis by Maulana Aftab Haider of South Africa. These programs were greatly appreciated by the youth

Moharrum Majalis were organized this year by a Committee headed and chaired by our worthy Secretary Brother Syed Hashim Raza Abidi assisted by Brothers Mehboob Husain, Majid Moosavi, Syed Uroj Aftab and Mohammad Mehdi who were always present helping the programs to run on time. Our sincere thanks to them and their families.

Jafaria School continued to make progress under the dynamic leadership of its principal Sister (Dr) Abida Jafri and her very dedicated Vice Principal Sister Riffat Fazal and equally committed and dedicated team of teachers. The school was given all the required help by Brother Zain Razak Joint Treasurer of MFI. Brothers and sisters it is a great blessing of Allah SWT to find so many volunteers to serve the community so diligently. May Allah reward them many times.

The numbers of children registered this year were 82, which recorded an increase of about 10%

MFI’S NET WORTH.

Starting from scratch, in 9 years, MFI have built net assets of $1.39 million (stated at book value, after paying for all the running expenses of the last 9 years), which is higher by $619,180 compared to last year.

This has been built to date by donations from directors to the extent of $ 507,142 by Alavi Foundation $ 230,000 and the balance by other very worthy donors of the Community. May Allah SWT in His infinite Mercy and Grace, the only two sources of strength available to human beings, bless them and their families.

Mohammad Sarwat Ali

Chairman.

March 29, 2007