President Gianotti's Response: Addressing Community Concerns or Evasive Tactics?

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah)

Important Update on AIC Mosque and Board of Trustees Engagement

Dear members of the AIC community,

We hope this message finds you well. We begin by seeking Allah's blessings and greet you with the universal greeting of peace. We would like to provide you with an update regarding the recent correspondence between the AIC Masjid Community and Dr. Timothy J. Gianotti, the President of the American Islamic College (AIC).

In our letter addressed to Dr. Gianotti, we expressed our heartfelt appreciation for his valuable time and participation in the town hall meeting held at the American Islamic College. We emphasized the deep significance of the AIC mosque to our community, as a place of worship, education, and community engagement.

We also presented several important questions and demands that emerged from our meeting, reflecting the concerns of the community:

1. Contact Information of the Board of Trustees: We requested the contact information, including the email address of the chairman, to establish open lines of communication and facilitate a productive dialogue between the community and the board.
2. Consequences of Withdrawing from the Sale: We sought clarification on the potential ramifications if the board of trustees were to reconsider and withdraw from the deal of selling the AIC mosque. Understanding the implications and risks associated with such a decision is vital for our community to make informed judgments and contribute constructively to ongoing discussions.
3. Request for Hard Copy of Sale Agreement: We emphasized the importance of having access to a hard copy of the sale agreement concerning the AIC mosque. This would enable community members to review the terms, conditions, and potential implications associated with the sale.
4. Community Demand for an In-Person Meeting: We expressed the community's strong desire for an in-person meeting, such as a town hall gathering, with the board of trustees. Such a meeting would provide an opportunity for the community to directly express concerns, ask questions, and seek clarification regarding the decision to sell the AIC mosque.

Dr. Gianotti responded to our letter and shared his perspectives on the matter. While he acknowledged our devotion to the mosque and the college, his response did not fully address all of our concerns. Here is a summary of his key points:

• The College remains committed to the sponsorship and support of the mosque, promising to relocate it to the main building for the upcoming year and eventually to the new home of the college.
• The decision to sell the current campus is based on the college's educational mission and the need for survival and growth. The Board of Trustees has diligently come to this decision to preserve the college's core purpose.
• Providing a hard copy of the sale agreement would be a legal violation and default under the existing agreement, according to the advice of their attorneys.
• Withdrawing from the sale could have significant consequences, including potential litigation, foreclosure, financial insolvency, and loss of the campus buildings.
• Regarding an in-person meeting with the board of trustees, Dr. Gianotti promised to convey the community's request but couldn't guarantee anything on behalf of the board.

However, Dr. Gianotti did not directly address our request for the contact information of the board members, stating that he couldn't share it without their express approval.

We understand that many of you were eager to receive comprehensive responses to all our questions and demands. We share your disappointment that certain key concerns were not adequately addressed in Dr. Gianotti's reply. The lack of transparency and incomplete engagement on these critical matters is a cause for further concern.

We will continue to pursue open dialogue and actively seek opportunities to engage with the board of trustees to ensure our community's voice is heard and our concerns are addressed. We remain committed to protecting the interests of our community and the AIC mosque.

We appreciate your unwavering support and dedication to our beloved AIC mosque. Please stay tuned for further updates and future actions to safeguard our shared values and aspirations.

May Allah guide us in our endeavors and grant us unity and success in preserving our sacred place of worship.

Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (And may peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you)

Sincerely,

AIC Masjid Community