[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19433-19434]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           NORTHWEST INDIANA ISLAMIC CENTER 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2017

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I congratulate the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center, as its 
members and leaders join together to celebrate the center's 25th 
anniversary. In honor of this special occasion, the Northwest Indiana 
Islamic Center will be hosting an anniversary dinner on December 10, 
2017, at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.
   In the early 1990's, a small group of the Muslim population in 
Northwest Indiana decided to purchase property in the area with a 
vision to provide a spiritual home for its members, offering religious 
education and a place for prayer, worship, and community services. The 
original structure, completed in 1992, was quickly outgrown as the 
membership grew. In 1999, a new prayer hall and community center were 
completed. Today, the center is home to over one hundred families, and 
Friday prayer services are attended by more than three hundred 
individuals. The Northwest Indiana Islamic Center provides numerous 
activities and services, accommodating Muslim and non-Muslim 
individuals and families throughout Northwest Indiana. These include 
consultation services, Qur'an reading and memorization services, 
ceremonial and religious services, interfaith dialogues, humanitarian 
relief services, and numerous youth programs, to name a few. In 
addition, there are two Islamic weekend schools and two Islamic full-
time schools on its premises.
   Northwest Indiana is not only grateful, but proud to have the 
support of the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center for the past twenty-
five years. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to recognize 
the exceptional leadership of this noteworthy organization. The Board 
of Trustees includes Arshad Malak, Hakam Safadi, Hytham Rifai, Nabil 
Shabeeb, and Wahbi Adad. The Board of Directors is comprised of 
President Abdul Fatah Adisa, Vice President Omar Estwani, Treasurer 
Isam Abdo, and Secretary Ferass Safadi, as well as former Presidents 
Fadel Shaaban and Shahabul Arfeen, and Osama Salameh, Ashraf Tebry, and 
Rami Musleh. For their significant contributions to their community, 
the members and leaders of the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center are 
worthy of the highest praise.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in congratulating the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center on its 
25th anniversary. For their remarkable dedication to service and for 
touching the lives of countless individuals, the organization's leaders 
and members are worthy of the blessings that have been bestowed upon 
them.

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