IAA Board Meeting Minutes 2026

§ 01

Executive Summary

At a Glance

The Board opened with Imam Abdur Rahman Bashir, who provided Islamic guidance on prayer-hall chair seating, leading to a revised, first-come, first-served seating policy. The Board then reviewed commercial-property rezoning and leasing representation, an access-control security system, a door-hardware malfunction and trespasser incident, window privacy film, the government security grant (due July 20), a security-volunteer LLC, and staff contracts and community programs. Twelve items were discussed; two firm decisions were adopted and twelve action items were assigned across the appropriate Board, religious, facilities, security, treasury, administration, and property teams.

§ 02

Attendance & Guest

Members Present 7 of 7

Full board present

Ahmed “Sunny” Hossain

Amzad Haque

Basith Syed

Mobeena Khan

Syed Afroz Shah

Jamshed Qureshi

Sabbir Choudhury

Absent 0

None — full board in attendance.

Guest

Imam Abdur Rahman Bashir

Invited to provide Islamic guidance on prayer-hall chair seating

§ 03

Themes & Priorities

Worship
& Prayer Hall

1item

Finance
& Property

3items

Security
& Safety

4items

Facility
& Privacy

2items

Staff
& Community

2items

§ 04

Agenda & Discussion

Worship & Prayer Hall 1 item

Prayer Hall Chair Seating — Islamic Guidance & Policy Revision

Decision

Islamic Guidance — Imam Abdur Rahman Bashir

The Imam was invited to open the meeting with the Islamic (fiqh) perspective on first-row chair seating. Key points: the use of chairs is a relatively recent accommodation; a worshipper genuinely unable to stand or prostrate is considered excused (ma’zur), and the ruling requiring an unbroken, straight row (saff) does not apply to those with a valid excuse. The back legs of a chair should align with the heels of the standing worshippers. The congregation is connected by the building and by hearing the imam through the sound system; seniors may pray in rear rows and their prayer remains valid even when the front rows are not yet full. No seat may be reserved except for the mu’adhin or a person specifically designated by the imam (for example, to step in for or correct the imam).

Board Discussion & Decision

Following complaints that the posted “5-minute” rule was too restrictive — early arrivals could not sit in the first row even when chair spaces sat empty — the Imam Committee reviewed the matter and recommended, by consensus, that ideally there be no chairs in the first row and, at minimum, that the 5-minute rule be removed. The Board agreed to remove the 5-minute rule, prohibit reserved seating, and adopt a first-come, first-served approach in which chairs may be removed once the row fills.

Action / Direction

Remove the 5-minute rule and revise all signage to “first come, first served — chairs may be removed once space fills,” referencing safety/fire considerations; standardize chairs at approximately four per designated row on both sides and reduce the first-row count; keep chairs in place but monitor and move or stack them once the front row is full; and communicate the change to the community respectfully, including a clear announcement.

BOD · Imam Committee · Facilities 5-minute rule removed

Finance & Property 3 items

Commercial Property — Rezoning to Retail Use

Follow-up

Discussion

A local business owner (operating a grocery/coffee concept near the RE/MAX building) offered to partner with IAA and assist with permits to rezone the vacant commercial property for retail use, such as a grocery store or coffee shop. He was unavailable to present and will be invited to a future meeting. The Board noted the surrounding area is largely commercial with few residential neighbors, reducing likely opposition, and that an AI-assisted, step-by-step approach to the City — emphasizing exclusion of liquor sales, which the City favors — had been drafted.

Action / Direction

Begin the retail rezoning/permit process and designate a Shura lead (e.g., Sabbir Choudhury) to coordinate; consult the City’s zoning contact using the prepared step-by-step guide; and invite the prospective business partner to a future meeting.

Shura Lead · Property Team

Property-Tax Contest — Vacant Building

No action

Discussion

A suggestion to contest the property tax on the unoccupied commercial building was discussed. Members noted that appraisal districts assess tax on property value, not occupancy; prior experience indicates a vacancy-based contest is unlikely to succeed.

Action / Direction

No action at this time — assessment is value-based, not occupancy-based. Revisit only if a viable basis for appeal is identified.

Treasury · BOD

Commercial Leasing Representation

Follow-up

Discussion

The Board reaffirmed its earlier decision to move on from the current leasing representative, citing a lack of reporting, no sharing of inquiries or interested parties, no open houses, and poor communication — including inquiries being declined without informing the Board. One qualified commercial agent (Barry) was contacted and remains interested; the Board welcomes additional referrals to interview.

Action / Direction

Send a professional communication transitioning away from the current representative; identify and interview a qualified commercial leasing agent (Barry interested); and require regular (weekly) reporting, sharing of inquiries, and active marketing and open houses.

BOD · Property Team

Security & Safety 4 items

Access-Control & Security System — Vendor Presentation

Follow-up

Discussion

Inquiries produced a security-systems integrator (referred through 3M) who services many DFW masajid — including Colleyville, Valley Ranch, Irving, and Plano. He toured the exits and will return to present an automated, phone-based central-access system (scheduled door lock/unlock and entry visibility) with pricing. Physical door security was viewed as a must; central-station monitoring is optional and to be evaluated.

Action / Direction

Have the vendor present system options and pricing; prioritize physical door security; and evaluate central-station monitoring separately before deciding.

BOD · Facilities · Security

Door Hardware Malfunction & Trespasser Incident

Follow-up

Discussion

A door that does not reliably lock when closed (weak hinges/springs) left an entrance unsecured overnight. An unfamiliar individual entered before Fajr, did not pray, and later returned; security spoke with him and 911 was called. Police ran the vehicle plate and found no record; the individual left. The Board discussed the risk posed by unstable or random visitors and reaffirmed door-security discipline. Late-night court rentals (badminton and table tennis) generate roughly $2,500/month (~$30k/year); the Board opted to keep night play but enforce an 11 PM building close and consistent door checks rather than cancel it over a single incident.

Action / Direction

Have the construction group repair or replace door hinges and springs so all doors lock fully (consider stronger commercial-grade doors); require cleaning staff, security, and late players to verify doors are locked, with security walking and checking every glass door; enforce the 11 PM building close; and call 911 and document any future trespass.

Facilities · Security Building closes 11 PM

Government Safety / Security Grant

Follow-up

Discussion

A prior grant application had reached final submission but stalled for lack of a documented police report of a real incident. With two recent police-involved incidents now on record (plus video documentation), the Board intends to re-file with AI-assisted documentation and attach the police / 911 records. Potential funding (reportedly up to ~$100k–$350k) could support perimeter fencing and gates and parking-lot Wi-Fi cameras. The submission deadline is July 20.

Action / Direction

Re-file the grant with AI assistance and attach the two incidents’ police / 911 records; designate a coordinator (Sabbir Choudhury, with a parent volunteer who has offered to help); and target perimeter fencing/gates and parking-lot cameras.

Sabbir Choudhury · Security Deadline: July 20, 2026

Private Security LLC & Volunteer Program

Decision · Go

Discussion

A brother experienced in security (affiliated with Sheriff Sam’s company) offered to help establish a formal security program at no charge for his services. The recommended structure is a separate LLC with its own insurance, a hiring process, and a designated manager, through which all volunteer and paid security personnel operate for liability protection. Paid staff (e.g., Mohammed) can be engaged under the LLC while others volunteer; the advisor will handle training requirements and run realistic drills roughly twice a year. Estimated equipment and training cost is ~$10k–$20k annually. A volunteer sign-up flyer was already circulated at Jumu’ah.

Decision

Approved — proceed to register the security LLC. Armed volunteers are permitted only with a valid license and explicit facility permission; a two-stage process will first gather volunteers, then vet licensed individuals.

Action / Direction

Register a separate security LLC with insurance and designate a manager; route all volunteer and paid armed security through the LLC; require a valid license plus facility permission for any armed personnel; and collect volunteer sign-ups and schedule training and drills.

BOD · Security Team ~$10k–$20k / year

Facility & Privacy 2 items

Window Film, One-Way Mirror & Tinting

Follow-up

Discussion

The Board discussed removing the current window coverings and installing one-way mirror film (occupants can see out; the exterior cannot see in) together with tinting for temperature control. The upstairs sisters’ area would be treated so sisters can see out while preserving privacy, with the film beginning roughly two feet up so the lower glass stays clear for microphone and visibility needs.

Action / Direction

Remove the current covering and obtain quotes for one-way mirror film plus tint for the classrooms, the three downstairs offices, and the sisters’ upstairs glass (from approximately two feet up); and confirm the temperature-control tint specification.

Facilities

Hijama Room — Camera Request

Declined

Discussion

The hijama practitioner (Idrish Elrachidi) requested that the room’s cameras be turned off during sessions. The Board declined, noting that disabling cameras creates liability exposure and that board members do not access camera footage without cause. The practitioner may proceed using signed client waivers; no camera-off arrangement will be made.

Action / Direction

Cameras remain on for liability protection; the practitioner uses signed client waivers and proceeds at his discretion. No approval to disable cameras.

BOD · Facilities

Staff & Community 2 items

Staff Contracts — Osama & Sheikh Shahid

Follow-up

Discussion

Osama’s compensation increase was agreed and he is converting to a full-time role; his contract is being finalized and will be shared with the group, with encouragement to actively market his full-time programs. Sheikh Shahid’s increase has already been applied; although IAA typically uses three-year contracts, a two-year term at his preference is acceptable and will be finalized.

Action / Direction

Finalize Osama’s full-time contract and circulate it to the group; and finalize Sheikh Shahid’s two-year contract.

BOD · HR / Admin Osama → full-time role

Community Programs & Requests

Follow-up

Discussion

Amana financial-aid portal: a new congregation onboarded (McKinney), with positive feedback from a sister who received a walkthrough and will present to the Board. Senior insurance assistance: a sister who helps seniors with healthcare and insurance renewals offered to present and provide regular help, akin to the free medical clinic; the Board was favorable and may announce it. Qard Hasana request: a Plano contact (Akram) relayed an organization’s request for an interest-free loan toward purchasing a building; the Board noted that IAA is not in the lending business and shared it as information only.

Action / Direction

Continue Amana portal onboarding and schedule the sister’s presentation; allow the senior-insurance volunteer to present, offer regular assistance, and announce it to the community; and note the qard hasana request with no commitment, as IAA is not in the lending business.

BOD · Community · Admin

§ 05

Follow-Up Items

No.	Area	Follow-Up Item
01	Prayer Hall	Remove the 5-minute rule; revise signage to first come, first served (safety/fire); standardize ~4 chairs per designated row; monitor and communicate the change.
02	Property	Begin the retail rezoning process; designate a Shura lead; consult the City; invite the prospective business partner.
03	Property Tax	No action — assessment is value-based; revisit only if a viable basis for appeal is found.
04	Leasing	Transition from the current representative; interview a qualified agent (Barry); require weekly reporting and open houses.
05	Security System	Have the vendor present access-control options and pricing; prioritize physical security; evaluate monitoring separately.
06	Door Security	Repair door hinges/springs so doors lock fully; enforce the 11 PM close and door checks; document any trespass via 911.
07	Window Film	Quote one-way mirror film and tint for classrooms, three offices, and the sisters’ upstairs glass (from ~2 ft up).
08	Security Grant	Re-file the grant with police/911 records attached (deadline July 20); target perimeter fencing/gates and cameras.
09	Hijama Room	Cameras remain on; practitioner uses signed waivers (request to disable cameras declined).
10	Security LLC	Register the security LLC with insurance and a manager; require license + permission for armed volunteers; collect sign-ups.
11	Staff	Finalize Osama’s full-time contract and Sheikh Shahid’s two-year contract.
12	Community	Advance Amana portal onboarding; host the senior-insurance presentation; note the qard hasana request (no commitment).

§ 06

Adjournment

Meeting Closed

The meeting concluded after review of prayer-hall seating, commercial property and leasing matters, security systems and the government grant, staff contracts, and community programs. Follow-up items will continue through the appropriate Board, religious, facilities, security, treasury, administration, and property teams.

§ 07

Attestation

Recorded & Reviewed

REC · BOD/2026/07/09

Recording Member

Board of Directors

Reviewing Officer

Board Chair · Islamic Association of Allen

Regular & Stated Meeting

Executive Summary

Attendance & Guest

Themes & Priorities

Agenda & Discussion

Follow-Up Items

Adjournment

Attestation