WHEREAS, for 35 years, the Muslim Association of Virginia, a 501(c)(3) faith-based organization dedicated to establishing and maintaining a vibrant community based on the Qur'an and Sunnah, has greatly served the residents of Prince William County and beyond; and

WHEREAS, after gathering in individuals' homes for several years throughout the 1980s, members of the local Muslim community established the Muslim Association of Virginia (MAV) in 1989, as well as Dar Alsalaam in Manassas, a place of worship that could accommodate up to 100 individuals; and

WHEREAS, as the local Muslim community grew, the MAV built a new, 12,000-square-foot facility, the Dar Alnoor Islamic Community Center, on Hoadly Road in Manassas in 2002, enabling the organization to better serve its members and to fulfill its mission; and

WHEREAS, the MAV has grown since its founding into a multifaceted organization that offers myriad services and programs to foster the spiritual, social, and educational advancement of its members and to meet the needs of the local community; and

WHEREAS, the MAV fosters understanding of Islam through its Islamic School, youth programs, and educational workshops and engages in a number of outreach activities that promote interfaith dialogue, advocate for Muslim rights, and assist Muslim women and families in need; and

WHEREAS, the MAV has developed plans to expand the Dar Alnoor Islamic Community Center into a state-of-the-art, 76,000-square-foot facility, which will greatly enhance the organization's ability to serve its members and the community; and

WHEREAS, through its steadfast support of both its members and the broader community, the MAV has become an important part of what makes Northern Virginia a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Muslim Association of Virginia hereby be commended for its service and achievements on the occasion of its 35th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Muslim Association of Virginia as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to Prince William County and the Commonwealth.