Dear MAPS Community:

 

As 2021 draws to a close, I want to reflect on the past year, thank you for your generous support and share my thoughts for 2022. Three things come to my mind when I think about 2021.

 

a)  It was a year of many ups and downs largely influenced by the vicissitudes of COVID.

 

b)  We had to learn to create a safe environment with COVID protocols for the community to be able to return to the Masjid (mosque) after 18 months of home confinement!

 

c)  Our programs and services had to be modified to operate in a hybrid model at scale with both an on-site and online presence.

 

In spite of these challenges, we give thanks to Allah SWT (God Almighty) that we were able to stay active and respond to the needs of the community. Here are some highlights of what we accomplished together.

 

1. We transitioned from being 100% online at the start of the year to a sustainable hybrid model giving the community the opportunity to go to the masjid in person and/or participate online. In terms of in-person attendance, we are close to pre-pandemic levels. With the hybrid model, our reach has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

 

 

2. In anticipation of our growing needs, we completed the addition of 4,600 square feet to the facility that includes two multi-purpose rooms, four conference rooms, and storage space, in a record time overcoming labor shortages and supply chain issues.

 

 

3. For the first time, MAPS’ financial statements have been independently audited by a third party (Jacobson, Jarvis & Company). The audited 2020 financial statements are available upon request. This is a huge milestone in our organizational maturity.

 

 

4. Our education programs including Sunday school, Quran classes, Hifz program, Precious Hearts, and Youth Islamic Studies are all back in session. We have several new educational programs in 2022 including MAPS Junior Youth Explorers, Youth Seminary, and a revamp of our Quran programs.

 

 

5. MAPS Youth is back in full swing, having completed their first quarter, including the well-attended Career Fair.

 

 

6. With the arrival of over 1,300 Afghan refugees since mid-September 2021, MAPS-AMEN (American Muslim Empowerment Network) has taken on a new leadership role by directly partnering with WA State to oversee the coordination of resettling and welcoming Afghan refugees. MAPS-AMEN was also selected for the national Mobilizing America for Refugees grant to support this work. In addition, among other justice work, MAPS-AMEN organized an interfaith solidarity gathering in Tacoma with other groups to respond to the nearly dozen attacks on places of worship in the past six months.

 

7.  MAPS-MCRC (Muslim Community Resource Center) kicked into high gear its efforts to assist Afghan refugees with a comprehensive set of services that include emergency housing assistance, food distribution, clothing and addressing other needs.  Sr. Fareeda Khojandi was hired as MAPS-MCRC’s Program Manager to oversee these efforts, thanks to a grant received from Seattle Foundation. In addition to the Afghan refugee work, MAPS-MCRC continued with its online telemedicine program, legal clinic, women’s shelter programs and many other offerings. It also received funding support from several Cities for its invaluable social and humanitarian work.

 

 

8. Our Social Committee and MAPS-MCOC (Many Cultures, One Community) conducted a Fall Festival and Arts Festival, both of which had attendance of over 500 people. MAPS-MCOC continues its tradition of rich cultural programs such as Greener Ramadan, Art and Craft, Cooking Classes, Ramadan Delicacies, Inspire Together, etc.  We are also excited that Amani Rashid, MAPS-MCOC’S Co-Chair, has been appointed as a City of Redmond Arts and Culture Commissioner.

 

9. With a grant from the Department of Commerce, we launched a new program to help small business owners who were facing obstacles in light of COVID. That program, MAPS-SBRN (Small Business Resiliency Network), offered assistance in several ways to our local businessowners, and is looking to expand its offerings in the new year under a new contract with the Department of Commerce.

 

These are just some of the highlights of the past year. I want to thank all of our staff, imams, Program Leads and volunteers who continue to do an amazing job to bring all of these together to serve the community and live up to the teachings of our faith.

 

Finally, none of this would be possible without the generous financial support of the community. As you approach the end of the year, please consider contributing some of your donations to MAPS (a 501(c)(3) organization, where your contributions can be tax deductible). 

Please note:  We also accept your Zakat contributions. Please designate this in your donation.  If your company offers a matching donations program, please make sure to request that the matching funds go to MAPS.

 

May you have a wonderful end-of-year and be rewarded many times over.

 

Hyder Ali

MAPS President