About Us
Our Brief History
Islamic Center of Shenandoah Valley is owned and operated by non-profit organization, Islamic Association of Shenandoah Valley (IASV), which was established in 1989 by a small Muslim community in the Harrisonburg Metropolitan and Shenandoah Valley. In six years, this small community was able to purchase a piece of land (1330 Country Club Road in Harrisonburg) to eventually build an Islamic Center of Shenandoah Valley (ICSV). As the local Muslim Community started to grow, the center’s building work began in 1998. The community lacked financial resources but had very energetic members who volunteered to help build the first phase of the center where main worship activities are now held. This section officially opened in 1999 after the city granted its permission after all required inspections.
Our community has grown significantly since 1999 and we have been able to build the general-purpose hall and complete the exterior with a dome and minaret. Our mosque has been open to all worshipers and visitors who wish to learn more about Islam and Muslims. Just like the city of Harrisonburg, our mosque serves a diverse population of Muslims. We have also welcomed a large number of non-Muslim visitors during this period. We have been holding special workshops for visitors after Friday prayers. After two-year hiatus due to Covid, our workshops are now resumed. We again welcome visitors from local churches, colleges, schools, and local civil and cultural organizations. We have also restarted to support the local homeless shelter during the Christmas holidays.
We now have a full-time imam Zaheer Alvi who leads worship activities, Friday Khutbas (sermons), and adult and children’s workshops in English and Urdu. Imam Zaheer Alvis is also available to answer questions about Muslim family lives and other issues our congregation members would like to discuss. Our imam is well versed in three languages, namely English, Urdu, and Arabic, and has done significant work in the interfaith area. Since Covid restrictions have been eased, we would like to continue our participation in interfaith activities as well.
Our Mission Statement
The following paragraph is copied from the first page of the constitution, approved by the organization’s members in 1990 and again in 1999 when the Islamic Center was constructed.
The purposes for which the Association is formed are to arrange and hold congregational prayers, undertake and engage in religious, charitable, educational and cultural activities, promote friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims and to make Islamic teachings of peace, love and justice known to interested peoples. The Association shall be empowered to engage in such other activities as may be desirable or required to fulfill the purposes and objectives of the Association.
Our mission is not only to offer worship and educational services to the Muslim community but also to the non-Muslim community as well. We welcome visitors to the masjid on Fridays (Sermon begins at 1:00 PM, please contact our imam (put email here) if you are bringing a group. We will be happy to hold an interactive Q-A session if requested)