In 2019, as a handful of young Muslim families seeking Allah, we started a practice of doing weekly gatherings of dhikr (remembrance). Initially starting in community members’ homes, we eventually had the opportunity to be graciously hosted by Imam Cisse and use the space at the Muslim Center in Detroit.

By the Grace of God, we continued our dhikr gatherings until we secured our current space in 2023 through your generosity and support.

Since then, we’ve shared the blessings of consistent daily prayer, remembrance of God (dhikr), recitation of the Holy Quran, Mawlid, educational programs, and more with the Ypsilanti area and beyond.

We’re truly grateful for the opportunity to facililate a space to help sow the seeds of faith for our young ones and those seeking nearness to their Lord by contuining and expanding our programs, classes, and communal worship. We ask for your support by growing these seeds into a good tree; to share the blessings with more people.

Please consider contributing to our campaign to support our center’s growth here in Ypsilanti, Michigan!

What Your Donation Will Fund

Urgent Zoning Work: We urgently need to have landscaping work done on the property. So far, we’ve been operating with limited capacity because we’re not yet recognized as a house of worship with the city. Alhamdullilah we just received pre-approval to be a house of worship. To get final approval, we need to complete landscaping work to comply with city ordinance.

• TOTAL COST: $ 29,800

• Engineering drawings for siteplan ($2,600)

• 8-foot-wide safety path along the site’s street frontage; the current sidewalk is only 5-feet-wide ($2,200)

• Landscaping ($25,000)

Benefits of completing the house of worship approval:

1. Permission to start Jumu’ah Prayers: Your donations will help us offer weekly Jumu'ah prayers, an essential pillar of our faith that brings our community together for a time of spiritual reflection and connection.

2. Property tax exemption: which will save us ~$14,000 annually

3. Interior renovation can begin: the city won’t issue us a building permit to start interior renovations until the landscaping is complete.

   Drawing of Plans Aerial view of areas of work

Why Your Support Matters

Dhikr of Allah & Spiritual Nourishment

No other groups in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area gather for dhikr of Allah. We host weekly dhikr gatherings.

Daily Prayers
We come together to offer our daily prayers in congregation, fulfilling a pillar of our faith. Your generous donations will help us sustain the facility, ensuring that the Zawiyah remains a welcoming and peaceful place for everyone, every single day.

Weekly Quran Khatems
No other centers in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area gather to complete a Quran Khatem each week (recitation of the entire Quran) and afterward make a prayer in honor of those who are sick or have passed away. This sacred act not only brings blessings and rewards to the departed, but it also unites us as a community in remembrance and prayer. Your contribution will ensure that we can continue this meaningful practice and expand our reach, so that more families can benefit and heal.

TO DATE: we’ve done ~110 khatems

Educating the Community

• Every Sunday, we host separate Quran study groups for brothers and sisters, for memorization of Quran.

• We livestream Quran tafsir classes taught by Imam Fode Drame.

• Since November, we’ve hosted the 99 Names class for kids. Through engaging activities and teachings, we plant the seeds of faith and spirituality in our young children by teaching them the names of God. With your support, we will be able to provide more interactive programs and nurture the next generation of believers.

The Impact of Your Gift

Your donation is not just a financial contribution; it is an investment in the spiritual well-being of our community. By supporting our Zawiyah, you are helping to build a foundation for generations to come—where our children grow in faith, where our brothers and sisters have opportunities to deepen their knowledge, and where our loved ones are remembered and honored in the most meaningful way possible.

This Ramadan, let’s come together and make an impact that will last far beyond this blessed month. May your generosity be a means of drawing closer to Allah (SWT), and may it bring you the rewards of this life and the hereafter.

Donate Today and Be a Part of Something Greater
We thank you for your continued support and for considering a donation to Zawiyah Foundation Michigan during this blessed month. Together, we can make a difference that will resonate for years to come.

Ramadan Mubarak to you and your loved ones. May Allah accept all your efforts and bless you abundantly.

About Us

The Zawiyah Foundation Michigan was established in 2022 by Imam Fode Drame, prolific author, linguist, Quranic exegete, teacher and international scholar, as an institution for his teachings in the greater Detroit area.

Modelled after the Zawiyah Foundation in Vancouver, Canada, it is a welcoming space for congregational prayer, communal dhikrs (circles of remembrance), recitation of the Qur’an, community dinners, classes, and visits from Imam Fode.

Read more about us.

Zawiyah Foundation Michigan is non-profit 501 (c)(3) and reserves the right and discretion to use contributions for religious, educational, and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.