From the President

ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD ICLI Annual Report 1433AH / 2012AD Message from the President

Bismillah ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim, Respected Elders, Brothers and Sisters, Friends and Neighbors, Honored Guest. It gives me great pleasure to extend greeting of peace to you all, As-Salamu Alaykum. Over the last few years, much has been said about the power of vision, transformation and faith, particularly within our own Islamic Center of Long Island community. Few would have believed that the transformation currently underway at the Islamic Center of Long Island could have been possible, especially in light of an environment consisting of poor economic conditions and uncontrolled Islamophobia. I’ll be the first to admit, I had my own doubts. It was difficult for me to imagine completing a building expansion project costing over four million dollars, with hopes of gradually transforming our Islamic Center into that of an “Islamic Institution” in this day and time. However, on July 23rd of 2011, a profound groundbreaking ceremony took place, one that in hindsight marked the beginnings of a Vision for all Muslims gathering here in Westbury N.Y. today and in the days to come. As with any great venture, no one person can claim the glory for all of the successive small victories that have been achieved to date in light of this vision. For ultimately, it is and will be the faithful footprints of the entire community, internal and external to the Islamic Center of Long Island, that will forever shine in the annals of the transformed Institution to come.

The beginnings of the transformation currently underway at the Islamic Center of Long Island would not, and could not, have been possible without the continued support of our neighbors, our Westbury Village Officials, our friends throughout the Interfaith Community, distant supporters, our founding mothers and fathers, and most importantly, our members and nonmembers, past, and present, who have supported and taken part in support of the Islamic Center of Long Island throughout its inception. For it is community, and not physical structure, that defines and will continue to define the Islamic Center of Long Island. And so, on behalf of the Board of Trustee, and the Stewardship of this Executive Committee for the past ten months, we salute you all. And as President of the Islamic Center of Long Island, it has been and will continue to be my great honor, to stand with you all, by way of life, by way of liberty, and by way of the pursuit of happiness, in the name of faith, but more importantly, in the name of Allah (God), the most Gracious, the most Merciful. As-Salamu Alaykum, Eric Hamza Byas Eric Hamza Byas Eric Hamza Byas Eric Hamza Byas

President ICLI 2012-2015 Insha’Allah