ABOUT US
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Established in 2006 as a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization, MAS-Charlotte is a dynamic charitable, religious, social, cultural, and educational organization. It offers unique programs and services that seek to better the individual and in turn, the greater society by imparting Islamic knowledge, promoting community service, engaging in political activism, and much more.
Focusing on personal development of individuals through a comprehensive Islamic educational curriculum, MAS-Charlotte promotes active involvement in communities across the U.S. by providing opportunities for community service, interfaith initiatives, youth programs, and civic engagement. By cooperating and collaborating with other organizations, MAS-Charlotte has expanded its reach into thousands of communities across the United States.
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Mission
To move people to strive for God-consciousness, liberty, and justice, and to convey Islam with utmost clarity.
Vision
A virtuous and just American society.
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Our Core Values & Principles
Our values are deeply rooted in our Islamic identity. Our Mission, Vision, Values and Beliefs help define the character of our organization. Our values expand on our Mission and help us define our priorities.
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Godliness (Rabbaniyyah)
Ours is a purely Islamic movement, in every sense of the word. We strive to understand Islam according to the Qur’an and the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bestow upon him His blessings and peace). We endeavor to practice the teachings of Islam with integrity and sincerity in our private lives and in our collective work. We advocate the values and principles of Islam for the benefit of all people.
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Just Balance (Wasatiyyah)
Islam is rightly balanced as revealed by Allah and as practiced by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). We adhere to the balanced understanding and application of Islam as practiced by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and as revived in the understanding and the methodology of Imam Hassan Al Banna.
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Comprehensiveness (Shumooliyyah)
Islam is universal and comprehensive in its scope, and gradual in its approach. While every area of Islamic work is within our scope, we focus on our priorities. Our main priority is to serve in the United States where we can be most effective.
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Positive Citizenship
A heart that is God-conscious is full of compassion; we care for all people, Muslims and people of other faiths. We are full participants in the dynamics of our American society where we positively contribute. We work together to serve our community, our country and all of mankind; we serve the Creator by serving His creation.
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Justice
Justice is an attribute of Allah and is among the highest Islamic values. We uphold and advocate justice for everyone out of our deep commitment to it, even under difficult circumstances and even against ourselves. We insist on the highest levels of integrity in everything we do.
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Development
To achieve our mission we must continually develop as individuals and as a society of people dedicated to working in the way of Allah. This development is spiritual, intellectual and physical. We must be ambitious, yet practical, never losing focus of our objectives.
Cooperation
We value brotherhood, unity, cooperation and partnership. We cooperate with others in matters on which we agree, and excuse each other in the matters on which we disagree. Organized dedicated collective work is necessary to attain great goals.
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Diversity
Allah has not created all people the same, and this diversity enriches our community. We do not only tolerate, but rather appreciate and value diversity. We believe that there is intrinsic value in every person. Unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in the light of the wide ranges of difference in social status, gender, age, personality, culture, race, talent and perspective.
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Commitment
Great goals require great effort. Success in our mission requires steadfastness of purpose, discipline, compliance and perseverance. It is a struggle, the road is long and challenging, it is the way of the Messengers and those who follow them, it is the path of excellence, Ihsaan, that is most pleasing to Allah.
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Membership
As a grassroots organization, MAS gains its strength from its members and volunteers. Becoming a MAS member instills a sense of responsibility in an individual and provides a sense of community in the form of geographic chapters.
Membership entitles an individual to participate in the decision making process of their local chapter, to hold key leadership positions, and gain access to numerous resources provided by their local chapter and MAS National. Membership in MAS is open to all Muslims in the United States who are committed to the MAS mission and vision. A membership fee is required to sustain MAS programs. The majority of MAS activities and programs are open to the public, with some being limited to members to ensure sustained commitment and active participation.
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Milestones
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Recipient of a U.S. federal grant as part of the President’s Faith Based Initiative Program.
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Along with other national organizations, MAS participated in meetings with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to discuss joint efforts against domestic violent extremists, and to work with the government to address community concerns about DHS policies, such as racial, ethnic, and religious profiling at airports and borders.
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Trained over 1,500 federal, state and local law enforcement officers in an outreach effort to build healthy relations between law enforcement and the American Muslim community; Outreach Director awarded by the Justice Department for the quality of these trainings.
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First American Muslim organization to hold a Citizen Civil Rights Hearing on Capitol Hill which was co-chaired by the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers.
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Trained over 7,000 civic and community activists.
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Commended by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee for outstanding services through the “MAS Boots On The Ground,” a project that provided assistance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
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Established MAS Service Corps, which holds an annual meat drive that provides food for shelters, food banks, soup kitchens and other social service groups serving the poor.
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Received recognition in local and national media for civic and electoral achievements through MAS Freedom’s Center for Civic Empowerment and the Voting is Power (VIP) program.
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Cited by CNN and other media outlets for positive programs dealing with youth on the key issues of extremism, violence, hate and intolerance.
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Presented at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne, Australia (December 2009). Plenary speaker at an international conference on nuclear abolition, peace, and sustainable development in New York City (April, 2010).
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Developed and distributed, for congressional staff members and representatives, the first American Muslim “Four Year Legislative Agenda.”
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Hosted a Muslim Community Action Forum with the Governor of Massachusetts with the attendance of over 1,000 community members.
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MAS leaders serve on the boards of a number of major nonprofit organizations and councils, including:
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Steering Committee of Religious Non-Governmental Organizations at the United Nations
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Harvard University’s Islam in the West Program, Muslims in Boston Survey,
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The Interfaith Alliance
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Inter-religious Council for Public Life
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Center for Jewish Muslim Relations
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Religions for Peace
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Interfaith Workers Justice
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Washington D.C. Mayor’s Office on Metropolitan Ministries
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The Temple of Understanding (hosted by the United Nations)
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