About Dar-Alhijrah Center Chicago
Our History
Dar-Alhijrah Community Center (DACC) is the fruit of a Halaga — a Qur’an study gathering — founded by a group of Sudanese immigrants who came to Chicago about three decades ago. The group met every Tuesday at a member’s home to recite and study the Noble Qur’an. This Halaga became a cornerstone of the Sudanese Muslim community in Chicago, nurturing unity, faith, and many of the initiatives that continue to benefit our community today.
In 2010, as attendance grew beyond what homes could accommodate, the group rented a facility — marking the first step toward an organized community center. This led to the creation of the Sudanese Community & Resource Center (SCRC) in 2011, expanding activities to serve not only Sudanese families but also the wider Muslim community.
Becoming Dar-Alhijrah
By 2015, the center evolved into Dar-Alhijrah Community Center (DACC), formally established and registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 45-0618835). It is recognized as tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), meaning all contributions are tax-deductible under Section 170, and the center is eligible for tax-exempt grants and donations.
Our Mission and Services
Today, Dar-Alhijrah Center serves the diverse Muslim community of Chicago, focusing especially on African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian youth who often lack access to structured Islamic programs. Our initiatives include:
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Qur’an and Arabic education for children and youth
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Youth development programs that nurture leadership and community involvement
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Social services and cultural activities that strengthen family and community bonds
The center’s first Arabic school welcomed students from more than eight nationalities, teaching the fundamentals of the Arabic language and Qur’an. The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming the center’s vital role in serving current and future generations of Muslims in Chicago.
Accomplished Goal: Purchased New Building
Alhamdulillah, we recently purchased our new building — three times larger than our previous facility — with six bathrooms, large halls, and multiple classrooms for our programs. The total cost of $600,000 was paid in full through the generous support of our community and neighboring Islamic centers across Chicagoland and nearby states.
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Our Current Needs
Our next critical step is to purchase the parking lot adjacent to our new building. This parking lot, which accommodates 30 cars, is essential to:
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Speed up the licensing process with the City of Chicago
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Facilitate the conversion of our new building into a masjid
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Provide safe and convenient parking for our worshipers in this densely populated area
The total cost of the parking lot is $715,000. So far, we have raised $125,000, and we need to move quickly to secure the remaining funds before the property is sold.
Your contribution will play a vital role in helping us complete our masjid project and establish a permanent home for our community.
Making a Lasting Impact
We ask Allah Almighty to bless you, your family, and your wealth, and to grant you the highest ranks in Jannah for your generosity and support.
Our Mission
To Serve, Educate and Inspire. The Center has established itself as a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to improving lives, strengthening community, and fostering civic engagement through a diverse offering of community programs, services and special events. The Center has grown into a recognized center of religious revival.
Our Vision
Our vision is to see a world for the glory and righteousness of Allah, where people celebrate the virtues of mutual respect, dignity and justice for all. We envision an engaging and vibrant community where individuals are caring and giving: where families are participants in community recreations and civic activities: where organizations work together in partnership and collaboration, with a common goal of improving the quality of life in the Greater Chicago Area and, God willing, worldwide.
Our Guiding Principles and Values
In fulfilling our Mission we will strive to:
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Live by the teaching of the Quran & the Messenger’s sayings & actions.
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Provide our programs in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of our community, consistent with the intent of our donors and respectful of the vision of our founding members.
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Conduct all activities with the utmost professionalism and treat all persons equally and with dignity and respect.
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Act with integrity, selflessness, openness, truthfulness, forgiveness, humility, modesty and honesty in all relationships, dealings and transactions.
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Treat each other and all people with respect, fairness and justice.Take responsibility, work as team, and build relationships and partnerships based on doing what is right .
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Have energy, enthusiasm, and the courage to lead.
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Be accountable to each other; continually remember death, and fearing final accountability to Allah.
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Be faithful to your donors and supporters through well-balanced, cost-effective, and compassionate stewardship of resources.
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Always remain mindul that our mission is accomplished through the support, generosity, talents and dedication of others.
