The Dar-ul-Islah Muslim Society of Bergen County is a religious advocacy group that operates a mosque, school, and community center in Teaneck, New Jersey. ¹ It has a close relationship with the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and often joins CAIR-NJ-led coalitions. ^{2 3}

The religious leader of Dar-ul-Islah is Hafiz Imam Saeed Qureshi, a Pakistan-born Sharia scholar. ⁴

Schools

The Dar-ul-Islah Muslim Society of Bergen County operates multiple schools and educational programs, including a preschool, a kindergarten, evening Qur’an classes, and Sunday schools for both traditional and special-needs students. ⁵

It operates a primary school for students in the third through eighth grades known as the Hifz Academy. ⁵ Its website states that “The primary purpose of the Hifz Academy is to allow students (and their parents) the opportunity to memorize the Holy Quran completely.” ⁵

Under the name “Darul Islah Crescent Academy,” the Hifz Academy is registered with the New Jersey Department of Education as a not-for-profit school and operates on what it describes as a home-school-based model with “certified and/or experienced teachers” providing instruction in secular academic subjects. ^{5 6}

Activism

In 2019, the mosque hosted left-wing U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) for an “impromptu” speech. ⁷

In May 2021, Dar-ul-Islah was involved in organizing a demonstration in Teaneck against American support for Israel. ⁸ Local government officials had previously planned an Israeli flag-raising ceremony at the town hall but canceled the event after pressure from members of Dar-ul-Islah and other members of the local Muslim community. ⁸

In 2022, Dar-ul-Islah’s Hafiz Imam Saeed Qureshi participated in an interfaith event promoting increased gun control legislation. ⁹

CAIR-New Jersey Relationship

The Dar-ul-Islah Muslim Society of Bergen County frequently works with the New Jersey chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). ^{10 11}

In August 2020, it joined a CAIR-NJ-organized coalition to support pro-Palestinian activist Linda Sarsour during a controversy over her speaking slot at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. ^{12 2} Sarsour was criticized by U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), whose district contains the Dar-ul-Islah Muslim Society of Bergen County, for her opposition to the State of Israel and her support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. ¹⁰

The same month, Dar-ul-Islah also co-signed a CAIR-NJ letter supporting the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement, committing to dedicate a Friday service sermon on the June 5, 2020 “Day of Outrage” to “anti-Blackness and police brutality” and to support the Minnesota Freedom Fund, the National Bail Out Fund, and the Black Visions Collective. ¹¹

In 2023, Dar-ul-Islah hosted a CAIR-NJ-led gathering of local activists and elected officials after the U.S. Secret Service denied Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah (D) entry to the White House over security concerns. ³

Funding

As a religious organization equivalent to a church, the Dar-ul-Islah Muslim Society of Bergen County does not have to publicly disclose its revenues or expenses. In 2021, the mosque’s leaders founded the Dar-ul-Islah Endowment Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable religious nonprofit. ¹³

Dar-ul-Islah collects $120 per year in fees from its members. ¹⁴ The membership, which are subject to approval by the society’s executive committee and board of trustees, allow members to vote for society leaders and serve in official roles. ¹⁴ It also collects tuition for students in its various schools and programs. ⁵

In 2023, the Muslim Society of Bergen County received $50,000 in grants from the State of New Jersey to provide social services in the community. ¹⁵

1. “Home – Darul Islah.” Darul Islah – Bergen County Islamic Center. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://www.darulislah.org/.
2. “CAIR-NJ, NJ Muslims Groups and Coalition Partners Issue Statement in Solidarity with Linda Sarsour  .” CAIR NJ, August 24, 2020. https://cair-nj.org/author/nj-cair/.
3. Adely, Hannan. “NJ Mayors Demand White House Apology after Muslim Mayor Was Snubbed.” North Jersey Media Group, May 20, 2023. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2023/05/19/nj-muslim-mayor-mohamed-khairullah-white-house-eid-fbi-watchlist/70234151007/.
4. “Hafiz Imam Saeed Qureshi – Darul Islah.” Darul Islah – Bergen County Islamic Center. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://www.darulislah.org/team/hafiz-saeed-qureshi/.
5. “Hifz Academy.” Darul Islah – Bergen County Islamic Center. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://www.darulislah.org/hifzacademy/.
6. “Darul Islah Crescent Academy (2142 – 25Y).” Ner Jersey Department of Education. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/nonpublic/nonPubschoolname/Darul%20Islah%20Crescent%20Academy.
7.  Noda, Stephanie. “Rep. Rashida Tlaib Visits Teaneck Mosque on Mother’s Day.” North Jersey Media Group, May 12, 2019. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/teaneck/2019/05/12/rep-rashida-tlaib-visits-teaneck-nj-mosque-mothers-day/1183334001/
8. Westhoven, William. “Hundreds Come to Teaneck for Pro-Palestinian Rally.” North Jersey Media Group, May 22, 2021. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/teaneck/2021/05/22/teaneck-nj-palestinian-rally-isreal-palestine-conflict/5210103001/.
9. Mackey, Marsha. “St. Markers Take Part in Vigil Against Hate.” St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, May 25, 2022. https://stmarksteaneck.org/st-markers-take-part-in-vigil-against-hate/.
10. Gottheimer, Josh. “‘Linda Sarsour Is a Noted Anti-Semite and Opponent of the State of Israel and Should Never Have Been Given a Platform to Speak. I Join Vice President Biden in Condemning Her Hateful Rhetoric and Bigotry.’” X (formerly Twitter), August 19, 2020. https://x.com/Josh4Jersey/status/1296158487039352832.
11. “NJ Muslims Stand in Solidarity with Our Black Brothers & Sisters of All Faiths and Backgrounds.” CAIR New Jersey, August 26, 2020. https://cair-nj.org/nj-muslims-stand-in-solidarity-with-our-black-brothers-sisters-of-all-faiths-and-backgrounds/.
12. “Linda Sarsour.” National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/champions/giving-back-to-the-community/linda-sarsour.
13. Martin, Stephen A. “Final Determination Letter.” Internal Revenue Service, August 4, 2022. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter_87-2919467_DARULISLAHENDOWMENTFUNDINC_02102022_00.tif.
14. “Membership – Darul Islah.” Darul Islah – Bergen County Islamic Center. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://www.darulislah.org/membership/.
15. “APPROPRIATIONS ENACTED BY DEPARTMENT.” New Jersey Office of Management & Budget, 2023. https://www.nj.gov/treasury/omb/publications/23approp/DepartmentAppropriations.pdf.