GIC has a vision to create a facility that is not only a center for worship and knowledge, but also a place where people of all cultures and ages can come together, socialize and strengthen the ties of brotherhood in a friendly and welcoming environment.
The 1990s brought about a wave of development in Gwinnett County.
And with this wave
came a surge of employment and business opportunities. As the Muslim community grew in the area,
there was a rising need for a new place of worship.
GIC was first conceptualized in December 2004, when about 15 brothers met up at
Comfort Inn
Banquet Hall to raise money for this new Musallah.
In January 2005, GIC was registered as a non-profit organization within the
state of Georgia.
Nine months later, on October 8, 2005 GIC signed its first lease with Peachtree
Properties in Suwanee. This lease was for one small suite within a strip mall. However, within 4
years, two more suites had to be leased to accommodate the growing congregation.
December 11, 2009 is a very memorable day for GIC, as that is the day that the
very first Friday
Prayer was held at the Musallah.
Fast forward to 2014, the Friday Congregation has increased to almost 300
people and needs the
help of a parking management company to direct traffic.
Several, educational and social programs are also running very successfully, such as the Sunday
school for kids, the Youth Program, as well as the Adult Islamic enrichment classes.
Alhamdulillah, with the help of its volunteers and donors, GIC is now also able to conduct
several community outreach programs such as free Health Clinics, as well as the GIC Free Housing
Program.
This decade has brought about another surge in the size of the congregation, as the babies of
the 1990s are now teenagers and young adults of today. Not only is there a need for a larger
prayer area, there is also a tremendous need for social and athletic programs for the youth to
strengthen their connection with the masjid.
GIC has a vision to Insha'Allah create a facility that is not only a center for worship, but
also a place where people of all cultures and ages can come together, socialize and strengthen
the ties of brotherhood in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Although many changes have taken place at Gwinnett Islamic Circle since its birth, some things
have remained constant. It has always been, and Insha'Allah will always remain a non-political,
peaceful environment striving to attain the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and embody the character of
our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW).