{{Short description|Mosque in Northern Virginia, U.S.}} {{for|the concept of "dar al-hijra" in Islamic history|dar al-hijra}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox religious building | name = Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center | image = Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque.jpg | location = Seven Corners, Virginia, U.S. | coordinates = {{coord|38.8614|-77.1466|display=inline,title}} | religious_affiliation = Islam | rite = | consecration_year = | district = | status = Mosque | functional_status = Active | leadership = Imam Farhan Siddiqi | website = {{url|https://hijrah.org/}} | architect = | architecture_type = Mosque | architecture_style = Islamic | facade_direction = | year_completed = 1991 | construction_cost = $5 million | capacity = 5,000 (inside) | length = | width = | width_nave = | height_max = | dome_quantity = | dome_height_outer = | dome_height_inner = | dome_dia_outer = | dome_dia_inner = | minaret_quantity = 1 | minaret_height = | spire_quantity = | spire_height = | materials = }} '''Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center''' ({{langx|ar|مركز دار الهجرة الاسلامي}}) is a mosque in Northern Virginia. It is located in the Seven Corners area of unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.<ref>"[http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st51_va/place/p5171216_seven_corners/DC10BLK_P5171216_001.pdf Census Block Map Seven Corners CDP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065709/http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st51_va/place/p5171216_seven_corners/DC10BLK_P5171216_001.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }}." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on October 16, 2012.</ref><ref>"[http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/contactus/details Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122235637/http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/contactus/details |date=2010-01-22 }}." Dar Al-Hijrah. Retrieved on January 16, 2010.</ref><ref name="Zoning">Woodward, Tracy A. "[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0F00BD233EF68&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Bid to close mosque viewed as bigotry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202209/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0F00BD233EF68&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=2016-03-03 }}." ''The Washington Times''. April 1, 1993. Retrieved on January 19, 2010. "Photo, The Dar Al-Hijrah mosque in Seven Corners might be closed down by Fairfax County because of zoning violations."</ref>

==History== Dar Al-Hijrah was founded in 1983 by a group of university students, mostly of Arab origin, who had broken away from the Islamic Center of Washington.<ref name="murphy">{{cite news |author=Caryle Murphy |date=September 12, 2004 |title=Facing New Realities as Islamic Americans |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/09/12/facing-new-realities-as-islamic-americans/0f2cc52b-1fc5-44ce-a8d2-68629f533302/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116062139/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/09/12/facing-new-realities-as-islamic-americans/0f2cc52b-1fc5-44ce-a8d2-68629f533302/ |archive-date=January 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/31/AR2005073101185.html Stewart, Nikita, "Muslims Find Room to Grow in D.C.'s Outer Suburbs"], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204759/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/31/AR2005073101185.html|date=February 16, 2018}} ''The Washington Post'', August 1, 2005, accessed November 12, 2009</ref><ref name="Prisoners">Goldberg, Jeffrey, ''[https://archive.org/details/prisonersstoryof0000gold/page/286/mode/2up?q=virginia Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror]'', pp. 286–87, Random House, Inc. (2008), {{ISBN|978-0-375-72670-5}}, accessed November 11, 2009</ref> It was one of the first mosques to be established in Northern Virginia, near Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/thecongregation/churches/daralhijrah.html|title=The Congregation . Churches|website=www.PBS.org|access-date=April 30, 2019|archive-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122104343/http://www.pbs.org/thecongregation/churches/daralhijrah.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also one of the area's largest and most influential mosques.<ref name=murphy/>

A small group of families,<ref name="Thirty Years">{{Cite web |url=http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/community-news/3319-dar-al-hijrah-celebrates-30-years-of-service |title=Dar Al-Hijrah Celebrates 30 Years of Service |date=March 16, 2013 |work=The Muslim Link |access-date=January 7, 2020 |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504121808/http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/community-news/3319-dar-al-hijrah-celebrates-30-years-of-service |url-status=live }}</ref> with help of the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), purchased the mosque's grounds on June 19, 1983.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dw1mHo6zjKwC&q=%22North+American+Islamic+Trust%22&pg=PT349|title=Infiltration: How Muslim Spies and Subversives have Penetrated Washington|first=Paul|last=Sperry|date=December 7, 2008|publisher=Thomas Nelson|isbn=9781418508425|access-date=April 30, 2019|via=Google Books|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320232152/https://books.google.com/books?id=Dw1mHo6zjKwC&q=%22North+American+Islamic+Trust%22&pg=PT349|url-status=live}}</ref> The mosque was first established in a house that is still on the center's campus, and now serves as a food bank. Approximately 30 congregants would attend the weekly jumu'ah (Friday prayer) during the mosque's early years.<ref name="Thirty Years"/> The current building, on a 3.4 acre plot, was finished for $5 million in 1991 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5000000|1991|r=0}}}} today) with financial help from the Saudi Embassy's Islamic Affairs Department.<ref name=murphy/>

In 1993, some area residents attempted to force closure of the mosque, saying it violated Fairfax County zoning ordinances.<ref name="Zoning"/> Worshipers believed the attempt was fueled by anti-Islamic bigotry.<ref name="Zoning"/> However, despite the mosque's humble beginnings and early challenges, Dar Al-Hijrah grew to become a powerhouse mosque by 2000, serving the thriving and diverse Muslim community outside Washington, D.C.<ref name="Troy64">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdbVDAAAQBAJ&q=young%20cats|last=Shane|first=Scott|title=Objective Troy: A Terrorist, a President, and the Rise of the Drone|page=64|publisher=Tim Duggan Books/Random House|isbn=0804140316|access-date=January 12, 2020|year=2006|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320232245/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Objective_Troy/MdbVDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=young+cats|url-status=live}}</ref>

The FBI Director of Counter-Intelligence for the Middle East, Gordon M. Snow, was a frequent, weekly attendee of the services in spring and summer 2001, while also completing his master's degree 3 miles away.<ref>{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Pamplin MBA alumnus leads FBI cybercops |url=https://www.vtnews.vt.edu/content/vtnews_vt_edu/en/articles/2011/10/102711-pamplin-cybercop.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430115343/https://vtnews.vt.edu/content/vtnews_vt_edu/en/articles/2011/10/102711-pamplin-cybercop.html |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |access-date=April 30, 2019 |website=www.vtnews.vt.edu}}</ref>

The mosque has been associated with the Muslim American Society, a non-profit that advocates for Islam in the U.S., since 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://hijrah.org/about-us/ |website=Dar Al- Hijrah Islamic Center |access-date=May 9, 2026}}</ref> The Muslim American Society has been linked to the Muslim Brotherhood by way of its founders.<ref name="murphy" /><ref>{{cite news |author=Sheridan, Mary Beth |date=June 11, 2005 |title=Leader Named at Mosque; Falls Church Site Selects Activist |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001869.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003122534/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001869.html |archive-date=October 3, 2018}}</ref> Some members of the congregation disagreed with the close association between the MAS and the mosque, and the lack of inclusiveness in the congregation.<ref name="murphy" /> In 2004, Omeish called for greater inclusion of young people and women in the congregation.<ref name="murphy" /> He said that the board had been examining proposals to reduce its close ties to the MAS and increase diversity on the board.<ref name="murphy" />

==Activities== The mosque holds prayers five times daily, and Friday prayer attendance exceeds 3,000&nbsp;people.<ref name=murphy/><ref>[https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Sept-11-witness-languishes-in-jail-2841687.php Masters, Brook, "Sept. 11 witness languishes in jail; Volunteering information on hijackers led to lengthy incarceration,"] ''The Washington Post'', May 5, 2002, accessed November 12, 2009</ref> In September 2004, about sixty percent of its membership was Arab, with an increasing percentage coming from countries such as Somalia, Morocco, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh.<ref name=murphy/>

Activities in addition to prayers include lectures, conferences, youth recreation and outdoor activities (such as camping and field trips) through its Youth Center, women's classes, health fairs, and financial assistance. It also operates an Islamic School called the "Washington Islamic Academy in Northern Virginia". In addition, Dar Al-Hijrah co-sponsors an annual civic picnic, along with other Northern Virginia organizations, at which candidates for local office meet Muslim voters.<ref name=murphy/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/16/AR2008081602046.html |title=Muslim Voters Meet Candidates, Officials at Picnic (washingtonpost.com)<!-- bot-generated title --> |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820110203/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/16/AR2008081602046.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Dar Al-Hijrah is open for group tours.

==Leadership== Jamal al Barzinji<ref name="Thirty Years"/> and Samir Salah<ref name="inf ">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dw1mHo6zjKwC&q=aulaqi&pg=PT351dq|last=Sperry|first=Paul E.|title=Infiltration: how Muslim spies and subversives have penetrated Washington|publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc|isbn=978-1-59555-003-3|access-date=December 1, 2009|year=2005|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320232154/https://books.google.com/books?id=Dw1mHo6zjKwC&q=aulaqi&pg=PT351dq|url-status=live}}</ref> both were among Dar Al-Hijrah's original founding members. Al Barzinji was listed as Dar Al-Hijrah's original trustee while Salah would later become the mosque's president (as of 2008).<ref name="inf "/> Mohammed Ali Al-Hanooti, a Palestinian imam that had previously served at mosques in New Jersey, was Dar Al-Hijrah's imam from 1995 to 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.questia.com/magazine/1P3-3775853111/mohammed-ali-al-hanooti-a-scholar-of-islam-1937 |title=Mohammed Ali Al-Hanooti A Scholar of Islam 1937 - 2015 |newspaper=Islamic Horizons |date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=November 13, 2009 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320232224/https://www.gale.com/databases/questia |url-status=live }}</ref> Dar al-Hijrah's previous imams at that point did not speak English and lacked engagement with the youth.<ref name="Troy64"/> With Al-Hanooti's departure, mosque leaders specifically sought out to hire an imam that could attract young people and non-Arabic speakers.<ref name=murphy/><ref>{{cite book|title=In Malcolm's Path: A Journey Through Chaos|first=Umar|last=Lee|date=2020|publisher=|page=52|isbn=9781418508425}}</ref>

Brooklyn-born convert-to-Islam Imam Johari Abdul-Malik was previously the Director of Outreach for Dar Al-Hijrah from June 2002<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030840/http://www.tkb.org/NewsStory.jsp?storyID=78762 For use in Friday PMs newspapers of July 29 and thereafter] MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base</ref> until June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://imamjohari.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/imam-johari-abdul-malik-resigns-from-the-dar-al-hijrah-islamic-center/ |title=Imam Johari Abdul-Malik Resigns From The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center |date=June 9, 2017 |access-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225204625/https://imamjohari.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/imam-johari-abdul-malik-resigns-from-the-dar-al-hijrah-islamic-center/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Speaking on his role at the mosque, he said, "It's important that there's an American at the mosque to speak with media, to defend Islam, who can talk about the rights of Muslims. It would be difficult for us if we had an imam who didn't understand the process here."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=57911&d=22&m=1&y=2005&pix=world.jpg&category=World|title=Thousands of Muslims Celebrate Eid Al-Adha in US|publisher=Arab News|date=January 22, 2005|access-date=November 14, 2009|archive-date=September 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911123403/http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=57911&d=22&m=1&y=2005&pix=world.jpg&category=World|url-status=live}}</ref> During his tenure at Dar Al-Hijrah, Abdul-Malik commented on criminal cases against several American Muslims, including that of one Dar Al-Hijrah congregant. Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, who had worshipped and taught at Dar Al-Hijrah, was charged in 2005 by U.S. prosecutors with plotting with members of al-Qaeda to assassinate President George W. Bush. Abdul-Malik accused the government of singling him out to stir anti-Muslim sentiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/796932511.html?dids=796932511:796932511&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+23%2C+2005&author=Ellen+Gamerman&pub=The+Sun&desc=Family%2C+friends+denounce+charges+against+%60pious+man%27&pqatl=google|last=Gamerman|first=Ellen|title=Family, friends denounce charges against 'pious man'|publisher=The Baltimore Sun|date=February 23, 2005|website=pqarchiver.com|access-date=April 30, 2019}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/us/nationalspecial3/case-adds-to-outrage-for-muslims-in-northern-virginia.html?pagewanted=all |title=Dao, James, and Lichtblau, Eric, "Case Adds to Outrage for Muslims in Northern Virginia", ''The New York Times'', February 27, 2005, accessed December 7, 2009 |website=The New York Times |date=February 27, 2005 |access-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727130121/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/us/nationalspecial3/case-adds-to-outrage-for-muslims-in-northern-virginia.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live |last1=Dao |first1=James |last2=Lichtblau |first2=Eric }}</ref>

Sheikh Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh, formerly a Muslim Brotherhood member in Sudan, and one of the founders of both the mosque and the Muslim American Society (MAS), was the mosque's imam between August 2003 and May 2005. He left the mosque to become the executive director of the Fiqh Council of North America, an association of Islamic legal scholars.<ref name=murphy/><ref name=Sheridan200506>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001869.html |title=Leader Named at Mosque |newspaper=The Washington Post |author=Mary Beth Sheridan |date=June 11, 2005 |access-date=November 13, 2009 |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003122534/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001869.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shaker Elsayed, a Shariah law scholar born in Cairo, Egypt, has been the resident imam at Dar Al-Hijrah since June 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islamonline.net/LiveFatwa/English/Guestcv.asp?hGuestID=er8Qo2 |publisher=Islam Online |title=Guest CV, Shaker Elsayed |access-date=November 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103040805/http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Guestcv.asp?hGuestID=er8Qo2 |archive-date=January 3, 2010 }}</ref> From 2000 through 2005 he was the Secretary General of the Muslim American Society.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/elsayed_shaker/ |title=Elsayed, Shaker |publisher=The American Muslim |access-date=November 12, 2009 |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214091746/http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/elsayed_shaker/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He unequivocally condemns terrorism and states that the mosque actively publicizes that condemnation to the public.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jon Sawyer |url=http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/news-points/muslims-and-america-faith-line |title=Muslims feel the pressure of terrorism crackdown |publisher=Pulitzer Center |date=December 4, 2005 |access-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119125840/http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/news-points/muslims-and-america-faith-line |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Board of directors and executive committee== The mosque's nine-member board of directors consists of the secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the president of the Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA), the general manager of the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), the president of Muslim American Society (MAS), the president of the Dar Al-Hijrah Executive Committee, and four other members.<ref>[http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/aboutus/Constitution "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Home, About us, Constitution", accessed December 10, 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20100122235437/http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/aboutus/Constitution |date=January 22, 2010 }}</ref> Directors serve for five-year terms, and new directors are elected by the currently serving directors. Abelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar, a Palestinian later convicted of criminal contempt and obstruction of justice for refusal to testify in a trial related to the funding of Hamas in the US, was a member of the executive committee.

Dar Al-Hijrah has a seven-member executive committee; every two years four committee members are appointed by the mosque's board of directors, while the other three are elected by its membership.<ref name=murphy/> Imams Shaker Elsayed and Johari Abdul-Malik serve on the executive committee.<ref>[http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/aboutus/Executive%20Committe "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Home, About us, Executive Committee", accessed December 10, 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121180441/http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/aboutus/Executive%20Committe |date=January 21, 2010 }}</ref> Esam Omeish, former president of the MAS, is a member of the board.<ref>[http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/aboutus/Board%20of%20directors "Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Home, About us, Board of Directors", accessed December 10, 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122235620/http://www.daralhijrah.net/mosque/aboutus/Board%20of%20directors|date=January 22, 2010}}</ref>

==Outreach== Dar Al-Hijrah is active in community outreach and service,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/12/AR2008061204165.html |title=Va. Mosque Reaches Out, Joining Immigrant Fabric |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 13, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2010 |first=Pamela |last=Constable |author-link=Pamela Constable |archive-date=June 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613080739/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/12/AR2008061204165.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and promoting mutual understanding in the local area.<ref name=murphy/> It participates in community food banks, back-to-school supply, community clean-up efforts, is engaged in interfaith projects, and participates in civil rights work.<ref name=murphy/> Its social services department provides food, clothing, and other household items to needy local families of all faiths.

During the Islamic month of Ramadan, Dar Al-Hijrah free meals nightly to all, regardless of faith; over 800 meals each night.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/mybo2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1173&Itemid=0 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130129203222/http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/mybo2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1173&Itemid=0 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 29, 2013 |title = 10 Cooks, 21,000 Dinners, 30 Nights |publisher = Muslim Link Paper |author = Daniel Hayes }}</ref> These include a weekly Iftar for Muslims incarcerated in nearby prisons. Also during Ramadan, the center sponsors interfaith and civic iftar dinners for local officials from the police force, fire department, and emergency medical services as well as various faith groups to promote mutual understanding. It also distributes tens of thousands of dollars in zakat every Ramadan.

==Controversy== Several sources indicated that Nidal Hasan, the perpetrator of the November 5, 2009 Fort Hood shooting, attended the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque at the same time in 2001 as Nawaf al-Hazmi and Hani Hanjour (two of the September 11 hijackers). Al-Hazmi and Hanjour had attended the mosque for several weeks during 2001 when Anwar al-Awlaki was imam there; a law enforcement official said that the FBI would look into whether Hasan associated with the hijackers.<ref name="murphy" /><ref name="Telegraph 2">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6521758/Fort-Hood-shooting-Texas-army-killer-linked-to-September-11-terrorists.html Fort Hood shooting: Texas army killer linked to September 11 terrorists] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102060951/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6521758/Fort-Hood-shooting-Texas-army-killer-linked-to-September-11-terrorists.html |date=November 2, 2019 }}, ''The Telegraph'', November 7, 2009</ref><ref name="NYT 6">[https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/08/us/politics/AP-US-Fort-Hood-Muslims.html Alleged Shooter Tied to Mosque of 9/11 Hijackers], ''The New York Times'', November 8, 2009</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Dw1mHo6zjKwC&q=%22Dar+al-Hijrah%22+&pg=PA121 Sperry, Paul E., ''Infiltration: how Muslim spies and subversives have penetrated Washington''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704042537/http://books.google.com/books?id=Dw1mHo6zjKwC&pg=PA121&dq=%22Dar+al-Hijrah%22+Virginia&lr=&ei=qWb6SrHnOJzuygTgucWODw#v=onepage&q=%22Dar%20al-Hijrah%22%20&f=false |date=July 4, 2014 }}, Chapter 12: "The 9/11 Mosque: Dar al-Hijrah," p. 110, Thomas Nelson Inc (2005), {{ISBN|978-1-59555-003-3}}, accessed November 11, 2009</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Awgp3H5mBXgC&dq=%22dar+al+hijrah%22&pg=PA172 Thompson, Paul, ''The terror timeline: year by year, day by day, minute by minute : a comprehensive chronicle of the road to 9/11--- and America's response''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704042937/http://books.google.com/books?id=Awgp3H5mBXgC&pg=PA172&dq=%22dar+al+hijrah%22&num=100&ei=srn8StDaJ5zuygTgucWODw#v=onepage&q=%22dar%20al%20hijrah%22&f=false |date=July 4, 2014 }}, p. 172, Harper Collins (2004), {{ISBN|978-0-06-078338-9}}, accessed November 12, 2009</ref> The mosque issued a statement condemning the Fort Hood shootings, and al-Awlaki's praise of them.<ref name="hijrah1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hijrah.org/|title=Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Repudiates Prise for Fort Hood Killings|author=Imam Johari Abdul-Malik|publisher=Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-date=January 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107015457/http://www.hijrah.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the phone number for the mosque was found in the apartment of one a planner of the September 11 attacks, Ramzi bin al-Shibh in Hamburg, northern Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/creports/pdf/fullreport_errata.pdf |title=Report of the Joint Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 |publisher=House Permanent Select Committee of Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence [redacted version] |page=178 |date=December 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005014507/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/creports/pdf/fullreport_errata.pdf |archive-date=October 5, 2008 }}</ref> Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, who was convicted of providing material support to al Qaeda and conspiracy to assassinate President George W. Bush, worshiped and taught Islamic studies at the mosque around that time, where he was also a camp counselor.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/us/nationalspecial3/case-adds-to-outrage-for-muslims-in-northern-virginia.html?pagewanted=all Dao, James, and Lichtblau, Eric, "Case Adds to Outrage for Muslims in Northern Virginia,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727130121/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/us/nationalspecial3/case-adds-to-outrage-for-muslims-in-northern-virginia.html?pagewanted=all |date=July 27, 2018 }} ''The New York Times'', February 27, 2004, accessed November 11, 2009</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/06/bush.plot.ap/index.html |date=June 6, 2008 |title=Conviction upheld in Bush assassination plot |publisher=CNN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613011758/http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/06/bush.plot.ap/index.html |archive-date=June 13, 2008 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/23/politics/23terror.html?pagewanted=2 Lichtblau, Eric, "American Accused in a Plot to Assassinate Bush,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208041707/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/23/politics/23terror.html?pagewanted=2 |date=February 8, 2015 }} ''The New York Times'', February 23, 2005, accessed November 12, 2009</ref>

Abelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar, a member of the mosque's executive committee, was convicted in November 2007 of contempt and obstruction of justice for refusal to testify before a grand jury with regard to Hamas, and sentenced to 135 months in prison.<ref name=murphy/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180820111919/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A20169-2004Aug20/?language=printer Eggen, Dan, and Markon, Jerry, "Hamas Leader, 2 Others Indicted; Justice Dept. Targets U.S. Fundraising for Militant Group,"] Washington Post, August 21, 2004; accessed December 7, 2009</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120711174905/http://google.com/scholar?q=cache:RK8rDKYsSiYJ:scholar.google.com/+abdelraziq+ashqar&hl=en&lr=lang_en&num=100&as_sdt=2000 "Transcript of Sentencing Proceedings," US v. Ashqar, November 21, 2007, accessed December 7, 2009]</ref>

The mosque is known for being politically militant. Jeffrey Goldberg, in his 2008 book ''Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror'', characterizes Dar Al-Hijrah as an openly political mosque that has conducted militant Friday sermons, especially prior to the September 11 attacks.<ref name="Prisoners"/> ''The Washington Post'' has called its leaders "outspoken in criticizing U.S. law enforcement actions against Muslims and U.S. policies in the Middle East."<ref name=murphy/>

In May 2017, Shaker Elsayed, the head imam of the center, said in a video that he recommended removing a young girl's labia and clitoris, a procedure known as female circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM). The comments were brought to light by a tweet by the Middle East Media Research Institute in June,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=MEMRIReports|author=MEMRI|number=870231060080152576|date=June 1, 2017|title=Shaker Elsayed, Imam of Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque in Fairfax County, VA, Endorses FGM: It Prevents Girls from Becoming H…}}</ref> which links to the video, originally posted on the mosque's YouTube channel. The mosque issued a statement condemning Shaker Elsayed's remarks and stating that FGM is "prohibited in Islam as well as the laws of the land."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/mosque-condemns-imams-comments-on-genital-mutilation/2017/06/06/0836911a-4aba-11e7-987c-42ab5745db2e_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606153157/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/mosque-condemns-imams-comments-on-genital-mutilation/2017/06/06/0836911a-4aba-11e7-987c-42ab5745db2e_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |title=Mosque condemns imam's comments on genital mutilation |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 6, 2017 |access-date=June 12, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/06/05/virginia-mosque-embattled-after-imam-said-female-genital-mutilation-prevents-hypersexuality/ |title=A Virginia imam said female genital mutilation prevents 'hypersexuality,' leading to calls for his dismissal |author=Hauslohner, Abigail |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 5, 2017 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |archive-date=June 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610210208/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/06/05/virginia-mosque-embattled-after-imam-said-female-genital-mutilation-prevents-hypersexuality/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Anwar al-Awlaki=== {{Main|Anwar al-Awlaki}} Anwar al-Awlaki was Imam at the mosque between January 2001 and April 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hijrah.org/ |title=Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center Repudiates Praise for Fort Hood Killings |author=Imam Johari Abdul-Malik |publisher=Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center |date=November 9, 2009 |access-date=November 10, 2009 |archive-date=January 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107015457/http://www.hijrah.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Troy63">{{Cite book |last=Shane |first=Scott |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdbVDAAAQBAJ |title=Objective Troy: A Terrorist, a President, and the Rise of the Drone |publisher=Tim Duggan Books/Random House |year=2016 |isbn=978-0804140317 |page=63 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320232159/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Objective_Troy/MdbVDAAAQBAJ |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was popular with young people and was able to connect with the Muslim community of Northern Virginia.<ref name="murphy" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shane |first=Scott |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdbVDAAAQBAJ |title=Objective Troy: A Terrorist, a President, and the Rise of the Drone |publisher=Tim Duggan Books/Random House |year=2006 |isbn=0804140316 |page=98 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320232159/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Objective_Troy/MdbVDAAAQBAJ |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Al-Awlaki was considered a moderate during his time at Dar Al-Hijrah, including publicly condemning the September 11 attacks and Al-Qaeda.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Outcalt |first=Chris |date=August 2018 |title=The Long and Winding Case of Homaidan al-Turki |work=5280 |url=https://www.5280.com/2018/07/the-long-and-winding-case-of-homaidan-al-turki// |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130063002/https://www.5280.com/2018/07/the-long-and-winding-case-of-homaidan-al-turki/ |archive-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> He was invited to speak at the United States Department of Defense and became the first imam to conduct a prayer service for the Congressional Muslim Staffer Association at the U.S. Capitol.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Davidson |first=John |date=October 18, 2010 |title=Turning a Blind Eye to Terror |work=Human Events |url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39464 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020041024/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39464 |archive-date=October 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Jana |date=April 7, 2010 |title=Some Muslims Attending Capitol Hill Prayer Group Have Terror Ties, Probe Reveals |publisher=Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/some-muslims-attending-capitol-hill-prayer-group-have-terror-ties-probe-reveals/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112210422/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/11/congressional-muslim-prayer-group-terror-ties/ |archive-date=November 12, 2010}}</ref>

He has since been accused of being a senior al-Qaeda recruiter linked to various terrorists, including three 9/11 hijackers, the accused Fort Hood shooter, and the accused Christmas Day 2009 bomber.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meek|first1=James Gordon|title=Fort Hood gunman 'is a hero', says Imam who preached to 9/11 hijackers in Va.|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/fort-hood-gunman-nidal-hasan-hero-imam-preached-9-11-hijackers-va-praises-attack-article-1.414741|access-date=October 25, 2016|work=NY Daily News|date=November 9, 2009|archive-date=February 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208141054/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/fort-hood-gunman-nidal-hasan-hero-imam-preached-9-11-hijackers-va-praises-attack-article-1.414741|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=US imam wanted in Yemen over al-Qaida suspicions |date=November 10, 2009 |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/u-s-imam-wanted-in-yemen-over-al-qaeda-suspicions-1.453376 |access-date=October 24, 2016 |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025111829/http://www.ctvnews.ca/u-s-imam-wanted-in-yemen-over-al-qaeda-suspicions-1.453376 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Six days after the September 11 attacks, he wrote on ''IslamOnline'' suggesting that Israeli intelligence agents might have been responsible for the attacks, and that the FBI "went into the roster of the airplanes and whoever has a Muslim or Arab name became the hijacker by default."<ref name="wash post">Schmidt, Susan; [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/26/AR2008022603267.html Imam From Va. Mosque Now Thought to Have Aided Al-Qaeda] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820015423/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/26/AR2008022603267.html |date=August 20, 2011 }}; ''The Washington Post'', February 27, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2009.</ref> In 2003 House Intelligence Committee member Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) described him as "more than a coincidental figure" in the attacks.<ref name="shop">{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,474477,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031106161328/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,474477,00.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 6, 2003|last1 =Shannon |first1=Elaine |last2= Burger |first2= Timothy J. | last3=Calabresi |first3= Massimo |date= August 9, 2003|title=FBI Sets Up Shop in Yemen|magazine= Time|access-date=January 19, 2010}}</ref> According to the ''Washington Post'', board member Esam Omeish was involved in hiring al-Awlaki .<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aina.org/news/2007049084748.htm |title="The Great Al-Qaeda 'Patriot'", Assyrian International News Agency, April 9, 2007, accessed January 19, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613160948/http://www.aina.org/news/2007049084748.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/21344037/Muslim-Mafia|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120627120535/http://www.scribd.com/doc/21344037/Muslim-Mafia|url-status=dead|title=Muslim Mafia|date=June 27, 2012|archive-date=June 27, 2012|website=archive.is|access-date=April 30, 2019}}</ref> Omeish said in 2004 that he was convinced that al-Awlaki "has no inclination or active involvement in any events or circumstances that have to do with terrorism."<ref name="murphy" />

Al-Awlaki resigned from Dar Al-Hijrah in early 2002 due to post-9/11 media attention that distracted the imam from his duties, according to the mosque's outreach director.<ref name="murphy" />

==See also== {{Portal|Virginia|Islam}} * List of mosques in the Americas * Lists of mosques * List of mosques in the United States

==Notes== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://hijrah.org/}} * [http://daralhijrah.wordpress.com/ Dar Al Hijrah—Outreach Committee blog]

{{Mosques in the United States|state=collapsed}}

Category:Arab-American culture Category:Mosques in Virginia Category:Buildings and structures in Fairfax County, Virginia<!--The mosque is outside of the Falls Church city limits--> Category:Buildings and structures in Falls Church, Virginia <!--While it is outside the city limits, it is in the FC area--> Category:Islamic organizations established in 1982 Category:Anwar al-Awlaki Category:Religious buildings and structures in Virginia Category:1982 establishments in Virginia