In April 2003, the Hillside Islamic Center signed a contract to purchase 300 Hillside Ave for $725,000. While HIC only had $35,000 on hand and six months to close, by the blessings of Allah (SWT) the community came together and was able to raise the entire amount by July 2003. Unfortunately, HIC was unable to take possession of the property until 2005, when a tax lien of $450,000 that the sellers were responsible for was vacated. Once necessary renovations were completed, HIC was able to conduct most activities at 300 Hillside Ave, with the exception of the weekend classes. Even at this time, the 300 Hillside Ave building ran out of space to serve the burgeoning Muslim population in its surrounding Queens and Nassau County neighborhoods. The New Hyde Park-North Shore Elks Lodge and its manager, Tom Capichee, played a significant role in allowing HIC to run its activities. The Elks Lodge generously allowed HIC to rent the hall for Jummah and Eid prayers, while the basement was used for Sunday classes. The local Muslim community was very appreciative of all the efforts made to bring all Muslims together irrespective of race, ethnicity and the various schools of thought. As members of the community started utilizing its services more and more, it became clear that the congregation needed more space. After consulting with the community, the committee bought four adjacent homes as they came on the market. Alhamdulillah, once again, the community rallied and raised the funds to pay the significant cost of acquiring these homes. In 2010, after purchasing the adjacent homes, the community decided to construct a new building for the Hillside Islamic Center at 300 Hillside Ave. The HIC formed a Construction Committee, hired an architect, and filed the plan for approval. Until this time, HIC had very cordial relationships with its immediate neighbors and the residents did not have any issues with the activities or the usage of the existing buildings. However, the impending construction of a non-residential facility made some local residents nervous about congestion and other issues. They vigorously protested the plans for the new facility and it took nearly two years and multiple accomodations to get the plan approved, all praises due to Allah. In 2012, HIC hired contractor Br. Jan Mohammad, moved to a temporarily rented location 4 blocks away at 271-01 80th Ave, and broke ground on the new facility. The construction took four years to complete due to a variety of reasons. By the blessings of the Almighty Allah (SWT) as well as thanks to the Trustees and the HIC community, the financing of the construction was never a hurdle. In 2017, one day before the beginning of blessed month of Ramadan, the community was able to move to the newly completed building. While trustees usually serve in an oversight role over an executive team, the HIC Board of Trustees initially fulfilled both roles. By the grace of Allah, the growth of the community necessitated a larger leadership team, and so in 2016 two executive committees were formed under the BoT to improve the functioning of HIC: the Brothers’ Executive Committee through election and the Sisters’ Executive Committee through selection. Many sincere brothers and sisters have sacrificed their time and efforts to make the Hillside Islamic Center what it is today: a community that transcends the conventional view of a place of worship and instead helps its members practice Islam as a complete way of life. May Allah (SWT) reward them and us all. Aameen.