Facilities

There are two options of ownership of a masjid:

• NAIT (North American Islamic Trust)

  • • A non-for-profit trust that holds title for many masjids as waqf

    • Better suited for masjid with significant internal control issues

• Owned by the organization

  • • Better suited for masjids with stable structure

    • Better suited with a BOD/BOT combination structure

• Individual ownership: never allow individual ownership of the masjid, its land or any of its facilities

Property decisions

• Property rent, buy, sell, improvement should require two third of the votes of the board (not even 2/3 of the quoram) and not only simple majority

Rental contracts

• Never rent a masjid facility to an individual for a long term lease or below fair market value. This often results in very costly correction

• Never rent a masjid facility to its school or another related subsidiary for long term lease. This often result in subsidiary being in control of the masjid or out of control of the masjid which is inappropriate for the masjid and the community

• Never rent a masjid facility to its school or another related subsidiary below fair market value. This negate the financial separation of the the tow organizations and open the door of school liability to be carried over to the mother organization

• Masjid

• Gym

• School

• Cemetary

• Food bank (pantry or soup kitchen)

• Banquette hall

What Type Of Property To Look For

• Church is the best choice since it is already permited for religious use and usually has adequate parking lot

• Other options are: warehouse,  office building, retail plaza, or a house with a large lot (multiple acres)

• Make sure the access is not through residential neigborhood and trafic will not be a problem

• Make sure there is plenty of parking options

• Make sure you can obtain a change of use from the city from current use to a religious facility easily

How to Find The Property

• Same state licensed commercial real estate agent

How To Avoid Bias

• Have a front organization buying for you instead of buying directly as a masjid

How To Change Property Use

• Residential can be changed to religious (special use) but you will need the permission of the neigbors. If you are stuck with that option, use a front organiztion and approve it as a church then change it to a Masid

How To renovate

• Decide what are your needs (here are some suggestions)

  • Prayer are for men and women

  • Restrooms and wudoo areas for men and women

  • Social activity area/gym

  • Classes

  • Offices

  • School

• Hire a project manager

• Draw a detailed plan with specifications

• tart bidding and hire contractors

Buying A Land

• Type of land

• What to look for

• What to avoid

Permit process

Building process