History

In the late 1970s, a handful of Muslim brethren, residing primarily in South Broward and North Dade areas of South Florida, got together to provide an Islamic education for children and adults who desired such religious knowledge. Initially, these small classes were held in the homes of said brethren and tutoring was confined to the teaching of Arabic to enable students to read the Arabic texts of the Quran.

By 1982, because of prevailing and projected demand for Islamic education, it became necessary to formalize the program and this led to the registration of a not-for-profit corporation based in South Florida, Nuri-Al Islam of South Florida, Inc., on January 20, 1983. A subsequent name change (in effect a spelling change) to Nur-Ul-Islam of South Florida, Inc, was later effected.

In November 1989, NUI purchased a 4-acre parcel of land at the corner of 106 Avenue and SW 59th Street in Cooper City, South Florida, to construct an Islamic center of learning.

 

In 1991 the Bylaws of NUI were comprehensively revised and the aims and objectives of the organization were amended to include the following:

• To establish the tenets of Islam in accordance with the Holy Quran
• To educate Muslims and non-Muslims about the teachings of Islam using all halal (lawful) means including, but not limited to, classes, literature, magazines newsletters, discussions, radio and television programs.
• To foster unity, goodwill and brotherhood among Muslims and to cultivate tolerance and understanding among all people regardless of their race, religion, color, gender, age or beliefs.
• To establish facilities of learning and worship such as centers, mosques, schools and libraries.
• To establish and administer a special fund to aid the poor and needy.
• To operate as a not-for-profit organization in conformity with the laws of the United States of America and the State of Florida and consistent with the provisions in the Bylaws.

In 1990, following the acquisition of the parcel of land, and reflecting the immediate needs of the organization, the design and construction of the first of several planned buildings were undertaken. The initial construction, completed in 1991, met two pressing needs of the community - a meeting place for social and religious activities for the young and adult members of the community and a place to conduct classes. Subsequently, and reflecting the aims and objectives of the organization, a long-term plan was prepared and approved by NUI's governing body. This plan envisaged that NUI's future thrust would comprise two components:

 

• Religious, (part time) educational and social programs for all members (young and adult) of the community.
• A full-time (Pre-K through 12th Grade) school program incorporating both religious and secular curriculums.

By 1996, many elements of the first of these components were successfully implemented but further progress was dependent on the construction of additional buildings.

 

Also in 1996, the administrators of NUI registered a separate corporation, Nur-Ul-Islam Academy, Inc (NIUA) to establish and administer the full-time school program specified above. NUIA, which has NUI as its sole stockholder, is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors and a four-member Executive Management team.

 

NUI and NUIA agreed to share the 4-acre site owned by NUI as follows:

 

NUI agreed to meet all major capital costs (land and permanent structures) relating to both components specified above and all operating costs not directly related to the Academy. NUIA agreed to meet all operating costs directly relating to the Academy.

 

In 1996 two portables units, comprising five classrooms and an office, were leased from GE Capital and installed on the 4-acre site to house the students of the Academy. The Nur-Ul-Islam Academy formally opened its doors to these elementary school students in September 1996.

 

At the end of the first semester (i.e. the fall of 1996) the student body stood at 33 and the teaching and administrative staff totaled 6. These numbers have grown steadily and now stand at 350 and 40+ respectively. During this period the Academy has expanded its program from Pre-K through High School with comprehensive religious and secular curriculums and is fully accredited.

 

As a consequence of the objectives of both NUI and NUIA, two additional portable units were purchased in 1998 to create additional classrooms, and a major design and construction effort was commenced to ensure that adequate and permanent premises would be available to meet the future needs of the two organizations.

 

The next page shows the proposed site plan (for the 4-acre parcel) to meet future needs of NUI and NUIA. Status of each proposed project is detailed below.

 

This plan identifies the need for:

 

• A library building - completed
• An Elementary School building - completed
• A two-story Secondary School building - design in progress
• An Administration building - completed
• A Mosque
• A Multi-purpose Hall - construction in progress
• Sports and recreation facilities - partly completed
• Parking facilities - completed

Since capital costs are met through donations, construction progress is very much a function of the inflow of funds from donors. Nevertheless, the first (Library) building was completed in 1992 and this serves as a temporary mosque and meeting place. The Elementary School building was completed and occupied in March 2000. The Administration building was completed in October 2002. The multi-purpose building is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in June 2007.

 

In July 2000, NUI purchased two parcels of land (1.0 acre and 1.3 acres) located opposite its 4-acre site on SW 59th Street. A four-bedroom house rests on the 1.3-acre parcel and currently serves as temporary accommodation for new recruits to NUIA's teaching staff. Work is currently underway to construct a sports field for the Academy on these premises and to explore the possibility of accommodating the preschool in the annexed facility.