The Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR) is a local religious community center founded in 1998 that claims to oppose religious extremism and terrorism. ^{1 2 3} The center was previously accused of having ties to the Al-Qaeda and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist groups. ^{2 4 5}

Initiatives and Community Engagement

The Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR) manages several community outreach initiatives for local Muslim and non-Muslim communities including marriages, funerals, general counseling, and will planning. ^{6 7 8} It also conducts Arabic language classes, weekly faith formation classes with the imam, weekend Qur’an school, and both athletic and social clubs for youth members. ICBR also hosts family nights, educational seminars, and religious celebrations. ^{9 10 11} It also provides monthly open houses, annual Ramadan celebrations, a health fair, and Meet Your Constituent Programs. ¹

In June 2022, Boca Raton mayor Scott Singer declared July 2022 “Muslim Heritage Month,” while encouraging visitation to the ICBR which he praised for its community service. ¹

In July 2016, the ICBR was removed as an available location for voting when the Palm Beach County’s elections department claimed to have received complaints that people were “uncomfortable” with voting at that location. In response, the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) threatened to file a lawsuit against the county on ICBR’s behalf. ¹²  Then-Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) issued statements claiming that the mosque’s removal as a polling station was discriminatory. ¹³

Controversies

Bassem Alhalabi is the co-founder and executive director of the Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR). He is also a professor of computer science at Florida Atlantic University. ¹⁴ In 2003, Alhalabi was sanctioned by the United States Department of Commerce and the U.S Bureau of Industry and Security for allegedly exporting a thermal imaging camera to Syria in 1998. Alhalabi claimed he was attempting to send the camera to his brother in Syria to find gold. ^{15 13}

In April 2011, a group of protesters at Florida Atlantic University called for the removal of Alhalabi as a professor due to his alleged ties to terrorism as well as his previous federal sanctioning in 2003. The protesters were led by Joe Kaufman, a Florida state Republican, ¹⁶ who claimed that Alhalabi had previously assaulted him at a public event. Kaufman pressed charges and Alhalabi agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement to complete a court-mandated anger management program. ¹⁷

In May 2016, Florida Atlantic University’s Muslim Students Association hosted an “Islamophobia” conference during which Alhalabi claimed to support the Sharia practice of chopping off a thief’s hand, alleging “…if takes one or two people to have their hands cut off, and then there’s no more stealing and there’s no more stealing in the whole nation…that’s a much better resolution.” ¹⁷

Activism

The Islamic Center of Boca Raton previously co-signed signed several letters and statements published by left-of-center advocacy groups including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) against alleged anti-Muslim discrimination. In January 2022, ICBR signed a CAIR letter calling for the United States Department of Justice to investigate anti-Muslim hate crimes and “systemic spying” on the American Muslim community. ¹⁸

Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack against the State of Israel, ICBR promoted a livestreamed webinar on their website hosted by the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) webinar event called “The Gaza Impact.” ³ The livestream of the event included MFLA members that called for a Palestinian state while providing legal advice on financial support for Palestinian communities. ¹⁹

In May 2024, ICBR signed onto a letter released by CAIR letter condemning Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt for making what the letter claimed was “hateful, dangerous attacks…on the Palestinian-American community and supporters of Palestinians human rights.” ²⁰

Allegations of Terror Ties

2000 Pro-Hezbollah Rally

According to the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) In October 2000 the ICBR co-sponsored a pro-Hezbollah rally in which ICBR co-founder and executive director Ibrahim Dremali participated. He led attendees in chants that included, “”with jihad we’ll claim our land,” and  …”Zionist blood will wet the sand.” ⁵ He also called for rallygoers to “not to be sad for those who were martyred and not to be afraid to die for what they believe in.” ⁵

Member Conviction

In 2005, ICBR member Rafiq Abdus Sabir was arrested for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to al-Qaeda in the form of medical treatment terrorist members jihadists. Although the case was appealed by the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Sabir was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. MLFA claimed that Sabir was manipulated because he is a U.S.-born and raised Muslim and did not didn’t understand the Arabic allegiance vow he made. ^{4 21 22}

2023 Anti-Semitic Sermon

In October 2023, Islamic scholar Husam Kablawi gave a sermon at the ICBR that included antisemitic references to the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks against the State of Israel, claiming, “…they will do everything they can to convince the world that they are the ones that are oppressed and what you did is so bad.” ²³ He further claimed to viewers “…be proud of your Islamic nation, regardless of the attempts of the Zionist movement to manipulate you and convince you that you are the bad guy…[a]lways assume the best of your brother and sister, who is fighting for his land and liberation under the apartheid state of Israel.  ²³ He also claimed “…support our brothers in Gaza. Oh Allah, guide their shooting and unite their ranks.” ²³

Leadership

Bassem Alhalabi is the co-founder and executive director of the Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR). He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Ohio University in 1984. He also holds master’s degrees in both electrical engineering and computer engineering, and he received his Ph.D. in computer engineering from the University of Louisiana Lafayette in 1995. He is a professor at Florida Atlantic University. ¹⁴

Ibrahim Dremali is a co-founder of ICBR and previously served as imam at ICBR. Dremali is an Islamic scholar who teaches at Al Huda University. He has alleged ties to terrorism, including to members of Al-Qaeda and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). ^{24 5}

Finances

The Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR) has not filed a federal 990 form since 2002 due to being registered as a religious organization. ²⁵ In 2002, the mosque reported $674,279 in revenue, $146,685 in expenses, and $1,337,720 in net assets. ²⁶

ICBR also received $27,500 from the Ali Foundation in 2016, $10,638 from the Dearborn Community Center in 2016, and $10,000 from the Noor Foundation in 2019. ^{27 28 29}

1. “Historic proclamation from the City of Boca Raton.” Islamic Center of Boca Raton. June 30, 2022. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://icbr.org/masjid/historic-proclamation-from-the-city-of-boca-raton/
2. About Us. Islamic Center of Boca Raton. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://icbr.org/about-us/
3. “THE GAZA IMPACT: LEGAL INSIGHTS.” Islamic Center of Boca Raton. October 12, 2023. Accessed September 15, 2024.  https://icbr.org/events/the-gaza-impact-legal-insights/
4. Barria, Carlos. “Two U.S. citizens charged with helping al-Qaida.” NBC News. May 29, 2005. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8030379
5. Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR). Investigative Project on Terrorism. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.investigativeproject.org/mosques/388/islamic-center-of-boca-raton-icbr
6. Services. Islamic Center of Boca Raton. Accessed September 15, 2024.  https://icbr.org/services/
7. Youth Programs. Islamic Center of Boca Raton. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://icbr.org/activities/youth-programs/
8. Sports Programs. Islamic Center of Boca Raton. Accessed September 15, 2024.  https://icbr.org/activities/sports-programs/
9. Educational Programs. Islamic Center of Boca Raton. Accessed September 15, 2024.  https://icbr.org/activities/educational-programs/
10. Community Programs. Islamic Center of Boca Raton. Accessed September 15, 2024.  https://icbr.org/activities/community-programs/
11. Outreach Programs. Islamic Center of Boca Raton. Accessed September 15, 2024.  https://icbr.org/activities/dawah-outreach-programs/outreach/
12. Reed, Betsy. “Florida Muslim group vows to fight removal of Islamic center as voting site.” The Guardian. July 21, 2016. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/21/florida-islamic-center-boca-raton-voting-site
13. Spencer, Terry. “Voting in Palm Beach mosque aborted over anti-Islamic backlash.” Times of Israel. July 14, 2016. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.timesofisrael.com/voting-in-palm-springs-mosques-nixed-over-anti-islamic-backlash/
14. ANNUAL FACULTY EVALUATION 2010-2011 – Bassem Alhalabi, Associate Professor. Florida Atlantic University. April 25, 2011. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://public.eng.fau.edu/ceecs/zhuang/BassemAlhalabi201011-Annual%20evaluationBinder.pdf
15. “Action Affecting Export Privileges; Bassem A. Alhalabi.” Federal Register. June 30, 2023. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/06/30/03-16480/action-affecting-export-privileges-bassem-a-alhalabi
16. “Joe Kaufman.” Ballotpedia. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Joe_Kaufman.
17. “Florida Atlantic University Muslim professor: Chopping off hands a ‘better solution’ to crime.” College Fix. May 26, 2016. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.thecollegefix.com/florida-atlantic-university-muslim-professor-chopping-off-hands-better-solution-crime/
18. “Muslim Community Letter to DOJ January 31 2022.” CAIR. January 31, 2022. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Muslim-Community-Letter-to-DOJ-January-31-2022.pdf
19. “The Gaza Impact: Understand the Law.” Muslim Legal Fund of America. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://mlfa.org/gaza-education-series/
20. Allison, Ismail. “60 Groups Condemn ADL CEO’s Latest “Hateful, Defamatory” Anti-Palestinian Rhetoric on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.” CAIR. May 2, 2024. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/60-groups-condemn-adl-ceos-latest-hateful-defamatory-anti-palestinian-rhetoric-on-msnbcs-morning-joe/
21. Dr. Rafiq Sabir (Criminal Appeal). Muslim Legal Fund of America. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://mlfa.org/dr-rafiq-sabir-criminal-appeal/
22. “FLORIDA DOCTOR SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR CONSPIRING AND ATTEMPTING TO SUPPORT AL QAEDA.” United States Attorney Southern District of New York. November 28, 2007. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/November07/sabirsentencingpr.pdf
23. “Florida Friday Sermon By Husam Kablawi Following October 7: Don’t Let The Zionists Convince You That You’re The Bad Guy; Do Palestinians Have Nothing Better To Do Than To Rape The Women Of The Jews? Muslims Can Marry Up To Four Women, We Don’t Need Anyone Else.” Middle East Media Research Institute. October 13, 2023. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.memri.org/tv/florida-friday-sermon-husam-kablawi-october-seven-zionists-bad-guys-palestinians-nothing-better-than-rape-women-jews-musilms-marry-many-women
24. Ibrahim Dremali. LinkedIn. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrahimdremali?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
25. Islamic Center Of Boca Raton Inc. ProPublica. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/650870204
26. Islamic Center Of Boca Raton Inc – 2002 Federal 990 Form. ProPublica. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/650870204/2004_01_EO%2F65-0870204_990_200212
27. Ali Foundation – 2016 Federal 990 Form. ProPublica. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/455109734/201703179349308205/IRS990ScheduleI
28. Dearborn Community Center – 2016 Federal 990 Form. ProPublica. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134346204/201732199349300313/IRS990ScheduleI
29. The Noor Foundation – 2019 Federal 990 Form. ProPublica. Accessed September 15, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760626200/202023189349102912/IRS990PF