By the Grace of Allah Subhan Wa TaAllah we obtained the certificate of occupancy for our masjid and was able to open its doors on Friday, the 1st day of the Blessed Month of Ramadan, 1422 (November 7, 2001). This was certainly a day to rejoice after having undergone a major struggle with the township bureaucracy. The day the Ramadan began we were unsure if we would be able to obtain the required certificate of occupancy in time to start the Holy month in our masjid. Allah Subhan wa TaAllah answered our prayers and AlhamduLillah over 400 worshippers attended the Jummah prayer that same afternoon.

To view pictures of how we constructed ICOB please click on the following link:

Site Search
Our struggle to build the Islamic Center of Old Bridge began in 1994. Although Muslims have lived in this are since the early 1970’s, no organized efforts were made to take on this task and the community was not motivated enough. We had no place for the daily salat and Jummah prayers. Besides the Sunday school, which was held at a public school, our children were growing up with little or no knowledge of Islam.

For several years, during the Holy month of Ramadan, we would get together for Taraweeh prayers at a warehouse. We would discuss the need for a masjid but after Ramadan was over we all went on with our busy lives. After several years went by, a few of us took upon ourselves to take on this task and began a search for a suitable place. Recognizing our financial limitations, our initial intent was to buy a small building fully aware that it would not be sufficent to accomodate our needs. But we had no funds, acquiring a large place was out of the question.

Since 1996 we began making arrangements for Jummah and Eid prayer in banquet halls and school buildings. There were some who were satisfied with this arrangement and did not wish to take on additional challenges. But we were not satisfied with this. We recognized that we needed a fulltime school where our children could learn in an Islamic environment, a Qur’an reading school where parents could send their children to learn to read the Qur’an, a place where Muslims could get together to interact and exchange ideas and propagate the teachings of Islam. We needed a full service Islamic center.

A thorough and exhaustive search commenced. As expected, we realized that all potential sites that could satisfy our requirements were too expensive and required immediate payments. There was no way we could afford those sites. During the early stagees of our search we had come across a site which was in pitiful condition; the building was falling apart, it also posed a safety risk being situated close to a busy highway. For those reasons, this site had been dropped from further considerations. With no other viable option available, we began reevaluating this site for active consideration. We studied its advantages. The site was conveniently located near a highway and therefore easily accessible without imposing upon the neighboring community. There was an affordable residential development nearby where our community could relocate and be close to the masjid. It consisted of a 2-story building comprising of over 16,000 square feet of space and was situated on almost 3 acres parcel of land, ample space to satisfy our needs. An additional two story dwelling was also located on site which could be renovated and used as a residence for the imam. The financial terms to purchaed this site were attractive as well. The owner was agreeable to an affordable price and finance it for a period of six years through a no interest mortgage. This would give us enough time to raise the required funds.

The site had all the features we needed. Our imaginations were unleashed and we soon come up with the needed solutions. The building was previously used as a warehouse and would require extensive renovation. The safety concerns regarding the proximity to the highway on the west side could be managed. Removing access from the highway and constructing new entrance from the south side of the building would change the orientation of the building. A fence could also be installed along the entire frontage that would further protect our children from the highway.

We also evaluated the site for compatibility with the township land development ordinance. It satisfied all the requirements for a house of worship and a school. After satisfying all our concerns, AlhamduLillah on November 11, 1998 the agreement to purchase the site was signed. The agreement allowed six months to obtain the necessary approvals and permits including the site plan approval from the township.

Permits and Approvals
With the clock ticking, we went full speed ahead to acquire the required approvals and permits. Inspections were performed to evaluate the structural integrity of the building. Investigation was conducted to determine if the site poseed any environmental risks. In all, nineteen permits/approvals were needed from seven different state and local agencies before construction could begin. The most critical among those being the approval of the site plan application.

In order to achieve positive results, a team of skilled professionals was assembled under the leadership of our project manager. This team consisted of an attorney, site plan engineer, civil engineer, traffic engineer, environmental engineer and an architect. Numerous plans and reports were developed in support of the site plan application. Included in with the submittal of the application were design and specifications of the parking-lot layout, lighting and landscaping, grading and drainage, sanitary and storm sewer, municipal water connection, wetland delineation, soil erosion and sediment control plans, and environmental impact, community impact and traffic impact reports. Wherever possible, members of our community landed help with the preparation of the required reports which provided significant savings towards the project.

After submittal of the necessary documents and satisfying the township requirements, planning board hearings were held. Four exhausting sessions, with full public participation, took place between March 2, 1999 and June 6, 1999. From the start the attitude of the planning board members was negative. Although our site posed no adverse impact on the surrounding area, the local residents came out in large numbers to oppose the project and influence the planning board.

On June 6, 1999 after four long-drawn-out hearings, the transcripts of which measure well over 500 pages, our site plan application was denied by a 5 to 3 vote of the planning board. This action was taken despite the fact that we satisfied each and every condition of the township land development ordinance. The planning board’s own attorney informed the board before the vote that there was no legal basis for denying the application. The township mayor, is also on the planning board, voted against our application as well. Her vote appeared to be largely influenced by the election year politics. She was running for re-election, which was due to take place later that year. She was threatened by the area residents of negative consequences if she supported our project.

This was a devastating blow. It was a time of reflection. We turned to Allah for guidance. Special prayers were held. We were at crossroads to making a critical decision i.e. whether to give-up the site and start a fresh or to continue the struggle and go before the appeals court.

With full faith in Allah swt and encouragement from the community we proceeded with the second option. An appeal was filed at the New Jersey state superior court against the planning board’s decision.

On Rajab 29, 1420 (December 7, 1999), nearly a month before Ramadan, the superior court judge in-charge of our appeal, summoned a pre-trial case management conference. During this conference, both attorneys briefed the judge on this matter. After listening to both sides, AlhamduLillah, the judge gave a ruling completely in our favor. He ruled that the Islamic Center has met all the necessary conditions required under the land development ordinance. He stated that "It appears that there may have been miscalculations made by the planning board". He therefore ordered the planning board to grant the preliminary site plan approval immediately. AlhamduLillah, on February 1, 2000 the planning board, during a closed session, approved the resolution for the preliminary site plan approval.

On Ramadan 9, 1421 (December 5, 2000), after receiving all the necessary permits/approvals, AlhamduLillah the planning board granted the final site plan approval by a 9 to 0 vote.

Construction
AlhamduLillah, we were now ready to start construction. Due to financial constraints, we planned to construct the Islamic Center in several phases.

On January 11, 2001, Phase 1 construction began. In this phase the renovation of the western section of the building was built for temporary use as a prayer hall. This area was to be modified for school use in the future. New washroom facilities were also constructed. The site work consisting of grading, drainage & sanitary system, parking lot and lighting was completed. The work that began on January 11, 2001 was completed by November 7, 2001 despite several weeks of construction shutdown due to terrorist attacks on September 11. It is very rare to complete such projects in such a short time.

Following is a list of key milestones of our construction project:

• The certificate of occupancy for Phase 1 was obtained on November 7, 2001
• In June 2003 the Imam residence was renovated to current building code standards. This work was completed the end of the year.
• Phase 2 construction work began on June 15, 2006 to build the Multi-Purpose Hall, reinforcement of the future 2nd Prayer Hall floor, demolish the section of the building that was in poor condition and complete the school section consisting of 9 rooms. This work was completed by December 6, 2006.
• Subsequently the construction of the Sisters’ Lounge, office and a kitchen on the 2nd Floor which began in January 2008 is nearing completion.
• Our next project is to build a Funeral Room on site where facilities will be provided to final bathing of the deceased under direct supervision of the masjid Imam.
• Our future plan calls for the construction of the permanent prayer halls for the brothers and sisters on the 2nd Floor.
• Our next project is to build a Funeral Room on site where facilities will be provided for the ghusal (final bathing) of the deceased under direct supervision of the masjid Imam.

A view of the south side of the building as it stands today. The school entrance is on the left and the masjid entrance on the right hand side.

Conclusion

Ma’shaAllah our Islamic Center continues to grow rapidly. ICOB has become one of the major Islamic Centers in New Jersey. We are humbled by the achievements we have made in such a short period of time. Included in these achievements are:

• Masjid offers the 5 time daily prayers and Jummah, Taraweeh, Eid, Nikah, Aqeeqa, Funerals and all other religious services that are needed by the community.
• Each week, over a thousand Muslims benefit from our services and over 500 attend Jummah prayers.
• ICOB Academy with Grades Pre-K3 through 6 has started.
• Sunday School successfully operating for the past 6 years.
• Qur’an Reading School teaches our young to read the Qur’an and Islamic Etiquettes in the afternoon hours (after school) and on Saturdays.
• In December 2008, the Darul Qur'an Academy will start functioning wher children (and adults) can learn to recite (Tahfeez) and memorize (Hifz) the Qur'an under the directions of a qualified sheikh.
• The Summer School program is very popular during which the students are engaged in educational enrichment, Islamic education and physical and recreational activities.
• Carnival events and Bazaar are a regular feature of ICOB. Young and old come to enjoy this family event.
• The ICOB Annual Health Fair provides health screening and medical advice to the community.
• ICOB helps the needy Muslims from our community through the Zakaat fund.
• ICOB maintains cemetery plots and arranges funeral services.

Construction Committee:

We at ICOB offer our thanks to Allah SWT for giving us the opportunity to serve Him and our community. May He accept our sacrifices and that of our families and associates who have been so cooperative in providing the much needed support. Ameen

Construction Committee:
Br. Tasweer Syed
Br. Siraj Bora
Br. Saghir Ahmed
Br. Tanvir Spall
Br. Qayyum Sheikh
Br. Shahid Iqbal

Fundraising Committee:
Dr. Shahid Farooqui
Br. Nazar Mohammad
Br. Zahid Nomani
Br. Faisal Ashfaq
Imam Fakhruddin Alvi