The MCC has been years in the making.
See how it all started.
00. The Role of the MCC
The Muslim Community Center of Louisville (MCC of Louisville) is a religious and cultural center that serves the Muslim community in Louisville, Kentucky, and the surrounding areas. The MCC of Louisville was established in 2015 and has been a focal point for Muslims in the area for many years.
In addition to its religious and cultural activities, the MCC is also involved in community service and outreach. The organization has worked to provide assistance to those in need in the Louisville area, including refugees, the homeless, and others facing difficult circumstances. Read a thorough description below that details the inception of both the MCC and the Islamic School of Louisville (ISL). We’ve included the many names of pioneers of our community in bold, but naturally, there are names that will be left out. May Allah bless each and every person that helped make such an ambitious dream come true - Ameen.
01. An Early Dream: The Founding of the ISL.
In the year 2000, a group of dedicated individuals - led by Sisters Naima Abuazza and Norma Jango, Dr’s. Musa Wadi and Youssef Dairi, and brothers Hassan Sharif and Mahmoud Ismail - shared a dream of establishing a comprehensive Islamic Center and a full-time Islamic school in Greater Louisville. With the support of the late renowned cardiologist Dr. Muhammed Hussain and his wife Rafeeqa (along with many generous others in the community), Dr. Aly Farag was selected to spearhead the efforts to achieve this dream. On July 7, 2000, during a sermon by Dr. Farag at the River Road Masjid, the Islamic School of Louisville (ISL) project was proclaimed. The first academic year of ISL was held at the Lebanese American Club on Zorn Avenue, in Louisville, with a group of five: Dr’s. Farag, Arar, and Siddiqi, along with Sisters Naima Abuazza and Janene Shakir, representing the community for the formal efforts of ISL.
02. Establishment of a Permanent Location
On August 11, 2001, the permanent location for ISL was purchased at 8215 Old Westport Road, and the house on the 6.6-acre property was refurbished to host ISL. The second academic year 2001/2002 started on October 15, 2001, two months after the start of the schools at Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) System, and the academic year was extended to early June 2002 to make up for the missing days off the 185 academic year.
03. Building the MCC.
On December 26, 2003, the first Jummah (Friday) prayer was held at the basement of ISL, and a full-fledged effort was ensued to plan for a new Islamic Center. Approval of the site plan for the new center was approved by the Louisville Planning & Design Services in March 2005 (Phase I: Masjid and Elementary School; Phase II: Middle and High Schools; and Phase III: Community Activity Hall), and the mechanical design for Phase I was approved on the September 7, 2007. The ground-breaking ceremony for Phase I was held on that day! The heavy rain of Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 gave the MCC a chance to fundraise, and the construction started in earnest in April 2008. Additional members to the first board were recruited to join the aforementioned five members, starting with Dr. Ammar Almasalki in 2003, Dr. Kheder Kutmah in 2004, Dr. Muad Maya in 2005, Dr. Asim Piracha in 2006, Dr. Mohamed Hasnain in 2008 and Dr. Mohamed Masroor in 2009. This inaugural board of MCC, consisting of 11 members, was formed and added value in every aspect of the massive undertaking, galvanizing the efforts of the community in order to achieve their goal.
04. The Construction Phase of the MCC.
Site planning in 2004-2005 was prepared by Mr. Chris McCoy, and the architectural and mechanical design for Phase I during 2005-2007 was prepared by Mr. Jerry Fote.
Mr. Saeed Safy was the contractor who supervised the construction of Phase I. Approval of the site plan for the new center was approved by the Louisville Planning & Design Services in March 2005 (Phase I: Masjid and Elementary School; Phase II: Middle and High Schools; and Phase III: Community Activity Hall), and the mechanical design for Phase I was approved on the September 7, 2007.
05. Completion of the ISL and the Formal Opening of the MCC.
All Hands on Deck: MCC’s Board in 2014, as the Masjid neared completion.
By Spring 2011, the Islamic School (ISL-Elementary) was completed, and on May 22, 2015, the formal opening ceremony of the Masjid was done through a Friday sermon by Dr. Aly Farag. Many people contributed sincere and productive efforts to the establishment of MCC. It was only the community’s funds that built the MCC from start to finish, a testament to the community’s effort that simply cannot be overemphasized. The first board prepared the bylaws of MCC from 2006-2008, with formal approval on November 14, 2008, using models from Islamic Centers elsewhere as well as the vast experience of the many Muslims in Louisville. The board then formally incorporated the MCC Organization in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on March 12, 2009.
Sr. Naima Abuazza served as the Principal of the ISL from ‘01 - ‘12 and Dr. Farag served as President of the ISL & MCC from ‘00 - ‘13.
06. Current State of the MCC.
Today, the MCC stands as a prominent religious, non-profit, cultural, and educational institution in Kentucky. The organization serves as a hub for the local Muslim community, bringing understanding about Islam and promoting peace and harmony in society. The current principal of the ISL is Mr. William White. For nearly 23 years, ISL has graduated hundreds of young Muslim children who done well in schools afterwards; some are now professionals, and since December 26, 2003, the function of the MCC has been to provide educational services, religious programming, counseling as well as an outlet for community outreach. The MCC has a full-time Imam, Sheikh Muhammad Ramadan Almoutem, an assembly of paid membership, and an 11-member board of directors. The board is nominated and elected by the Assembly every two years, and the duration of board members is four years, which can be renewed for another term if nominated by the Assembly. The MCC has been successful in its mission to educate young Muslim children and provide a vast number of offerings to the local Muslim community.
07. Future Directions for the MCC.
For years, the MCC has planned a gymnasium and rec center. In May of 2023, the MCC officially broke ground on construction for this massive project. This gymnasium will have 2 floors, totaling roughly 16,000 total square footage. The first floor, (totaling 10,880 sq. ft) will have a multi-purpose court for sports such as basketball and volleyball. The other side of the first floor will host another playing area for children with sports such as soccer. The entrance room/hall will be 20×25ft and host a community coffee shop with Internet capability for our community member to gather, socialize and work.
The first floor will additionally be used for other activities such Eid Prayer, an occasion that has been difficult in Louisville in the last couple of years due to unavailable and booked halls. This hall will also serve our community needs for weddings and other special occasions.
The second floor (totaling 5,000 sq. ft) will have two meeting rooms that will immediately serve as two classrooms for the seventh and eighth grade, as the ISL new’s middle school continue to grow and is in dire need of space. The open space will serve as an area for sports such as taekwondo, cardio machines, etc. This second floor will additionally host a mezzanine area.
Meet the MCC’s First President:
Dr. Aly Farag, PhD
“The Muslim Community Center (MCC) is a Kentucky institution for Islamic worship, counseling, and education, presenting Islam as guidance, peace, tranquility and the well-being of all people.”
On the importance of the MCC's mission and its impact on society.