How the church was purchased
Today SABAH Islamic Center in Chicago

The story of sabur, trust in Allah and to the community that did not give up

The beginning of trials and decisions of the jamaat

After our imam was removed from the ICC in Northbrook in February 2011, the majority of the membership clearly and unanimously sent a message to their imam, Senad ef. Agić:

„There is no giving up. Follow the path by which Allah tempts you – we will follow.“

It was not possible to respond to such a trust other than by guiding. Bravely, responsibly and with full reliance on Allah.

Jamaat without an object, but not without life

A period that will later be recognized as a special time begins, Allah’s schools of sabur. Without its own facility, but with a clear vision and with strong unity, all religious and social activities continued:

• mekteb classes,
• juma-prayers (in other, internacional mosques in Chicago),
• ramadan programs,
• women’s association work,
• youth activities,
• humanitarian work,
• interfaith work.

At the same time, Senad ef. was, as before, performing his duty on a voluntary basis the chief imam of the Islamic community of Bosniaks in America.

Jamaat was formally registered in the state of Illinois and accepted into the family of the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in America.

London’s offer and the court route rejected

When the Imam’s spiritual teacher, Sheikh Muhammad Nazim al-Haqqani, Allah had mercy on him, heard what happened, offered Senad-Effendi to take over the imam’s office in London, in the mosque that the Sheikh himself founded in the famous district of Peckham.

Although a great honor, that option could not be accepted. Commitment it was stronger for the part of the congregation that decided to take the path of establishing a new congregation.

Also, the possibility of returning to the mosque in Northbrook was denied through court. To that, Sheikh Nazim uttered the words that will be mentioned later show as true inspiration:

„The church that I ‘stepped on’ is waiting for you. Be calm.”

Five years of sabur and Allah’s surprise

After five years of patience, moving from one rented space to another, and constantly working without a secure roof over their heads, the news comes – suddenly, almost “out of the blue”:

The Lutheran Church in Franklin Park is for sale.

The building was extremely functional and affordable to buy:

• large prayer room,
• gym,
• classrooms,
• house,
• parking,
• garage,
• basement rooms.

Without hesitation, the contract was signed.

Donor dinner on the day of the Sheikh’s relocation

A fundraising dinner was scheduled, which, by Allah’s will, coincided with the date of Sheikh Nazim’s passing to the Hereafter – May 7, 2016..

That evening became historic for the SABAH jamaat: enough funds were raised to fully pay for the facility in cash..

Renovation and the justice that comes

After the purchase, the building was renovated. The funds for this endeavor came in an unexpected and timely manner – through a court ruling against the city of Des Plaines. The court found that discrimination had occurred in an earlier challenge to the purchase of another building in Des Plaines, and awarded damages in an amount sufficient to quickly remedy:

• classrooms,
• prayer space,
• ablution.

Everything else, as they say, “fell into place”

A functional center and a vibrant community

Today, the SABAH Islamic Center is fully functional and alive::

• hundreds of families,
• mekteb with large number of students,
• a women’s association,
• a zikir-halka,
• youth group,
• regular religious, educational and social programs.

Jubilees that testify to success

The grand opening of the Islamic Center was held on September 7, 2019..

This year 2026 marks:

• 15 years since the foundation of the jamaat SABAH,
• 10 years of Islamic Center SABAH.

The story of SABAH remains a permanent reminder that sabur is not honest fellowships never remain without Allah’s help.

S. A.