That doesn’t seem that weird to me (that it be on a residential block).

are they going to rebuild the victorian that was torn down?

Something is odd about the whole deal. The land, worth around $300k sold for $640k with the seller holding a mortgage for over half of the price. This organization has a presence in Queens, but is unknown in Brooklyn. A Google search reveals that they have ties to some very questionable organizations.

Are they going to double park with the police looking the other way as they do every Friday on Coney Island Ave?

Also… the property was listed at $699,000… so $640k would be about 9% below ask.

http://www.exittopproperties.com/real-estate/Brooklyn-MLS/Land/property/353281-400-Stratford-Rd-Brooklyn-NY-11218/

Well it was mentioned in the Blog knowing full well, it would bring out this type of reaction wasn’t it?

We live on this block and would welcome any community organization that moves in, regardless of its religious affiliation. Worried Neighbor, you’ll have to back your statements up with facts if you want people to take you seriously.

We have Baptists, Jews, Catholics, Muslims, and probably more all on that one block. Russian, Caribbean, Guatemalan, Pakistani…. I love the diversity–it’s why we live here.

I do wonder if the entrance will be on CIA or Stratford, and I hope they will build something house-like that fits into the surrounding buildings….

I’d say it’s an odd location for anything but a house or an organization located in a house, especially if it’s a blank backside facing the houses. Churches, community centers, schools, temples, etc. seem a better fit for a large residential corner or higher density res/com area – where they will be able to serve more people within walking distance. I don’t think that has anything to do with affiliation, just convenience and aesthetics.

Islamist, eh? Interesting choice of wording…

I live on Stratford Rd across the street from the site and this street is zoned for mixed use which is why there is now a parking lot in the middle of our block.

Max , you are talking about the wrong block.

The Islamic Circloe of North America ia a conservative Muslim organization with deeply troubling traits.
Here us the list from Wikipedia:
“ICNA is reportedly allied with the organization of Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan and Bangladesh.[2][17][18][19][20][21] Steven Emerson says that it has praised terror attacks, supports the imposition of shar’ia (the Islami code of law), and collects tax-deductible contributions (through charitable organizations that it has created) for Islamist causes.[2]

In 1995, ICNA expressed “deep concern” over the arrest of Sami al-Arian.[22] In 2006 al-Arian pleaded guilty to conspiracy to help a “specially designated terrorist” organization, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and was sentenced to 57 months in prison.[23][24][25]

In July 2002 Anwar al-Awlaki, believed to be a senior talent recruiter and motivator for al-Qaeda who had contact with three of the 9/11 hijackers, the Fort Hood shooter, and the Christmas Day bombing suspect (Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab), spoke at a joint ICNA/MAS convention in Baltimore with Siraj Wahhaj.[26]

ICNA was picketed in Texas in 2005 by ten anti-terrorism protesters who said it funds overseas terrorism, though its Dallas president said: “There’s no evidence to support their claims.”[27]

In September 2007, Joe Kaufman a full-time investigative reporter who had written for national publications since 1995, wrote an article in which he reported that ICNA supported and financed terrorism.[28]

On December 9, 2009, five Muslim Americans, who knew each other from the ICNA Center in Arlington, Virginia,[29] were detained in Pakistan during a police raid.[29] The men had met with Jaish-e-Muhammed in Pakistan and offered their assistance in jihadi attacks.[30] The house they were detained in was occupied by Khalid Farooq, the father of one of the men. He is suspected of ties to Jaish-e-Muhammed, to which the house itself is also linked”
Do not be afraid to let the community decide if it is worth taking the risk.

And btw, I usually know better than to feed the trolls, but copying & pasting the “Controversy” section of a Wikipedia article is just lazy. I took the time to go read the full article, then I followed the link for Steven Emerson, and then I checked out the article for Joe Kaufman’s group “Americans Against Hate”. They sort of come across as hatemongers themselves – in fact there was a quote in the Americans Against Hate article from a newspaper that had had dealings with them, saying that they should actually be called Americans For Hate.

I think I would take their allegations with a MOUNTAIN of salt.

I also don’t think Wikipedia was really designed to be used piecemeal, the way Mr. Jimbo has done.

Dear Mr. Jimbo,

One person’s investigative journalist is another person’s nut job: http://www.loonwatch.com/?s=joe+kaufman

It’s the first hit after you google him. Here’s a taste:
“Joe Kaufman, a Kahanist inspired anti-Muslim crusader…”

You get the idea.

Sounds frightening! A community organization open to all that has back to school give aways for needy children. In other words, not so different from your run of the mill Christian and Jewish nonprofits, you know, the places that you wouldn’t even bat an eye lash at if they were building in the neighborhood.

To Icna Member ,
Your group could not attain a mortgage except from that sl$$ze bag seller , a former used car salesman.He is responsible for bringing in the so called developer who destroyed a beautiful victorian home. Has your group bother to ask the people on the block if they want this community center.You have no shame by soliciting money on this blog.

Stratford Rd —
I have a few questions/comments for you….
(1) How exactly are you in a position to be privy to the financial health of this non-profit organizations? Or is your comment just meant to be inflammatory without actually using facts?
(2) Does an organization or business have to go door-to-door and ask your *permission* to establish a location on particular block… or just community centers with a certain religious affiliation?! What if this was a church? library? school?
(3) Have you even looked around your neighborhood? How would a community center like this not fit in?!
(4) You’re right… there is no shame in a non-profit organization soliciting money as part of all of their public communications. Donations are where their money comes from!
(5) You should post your name and contact information so the rest of your neighbors know how to contact you… ya know, in case they want to change the color of the trim on their house or they’re thinking of having a kid. Probably should clear that with you.

Right… so the previous owner failed and found a buyer. ICNA was the buyer. Not sure what’s so odd here.

Greetings once again,

It’s reassuring to see that the majority of the people commenting on this blog seem to support the idea that a non-profit organization such as ICNA is trying to establish a center to help the local community.

Our goal, as an Islamic non-profit, is to further those ideals we believe will collectively improve the lives of those that call the US their home. These ideals include service to humanity, speaking out against injustice, and promoting a high moral standard amongst society. Every single one of these ideals form part of the very foundation on which the United States was built. What may be surprising to many people (hopefully not the readers of this blog) is that these ideals also form the foundation of Islam. The implementation of a program that seeks to achieve these ideals is what we call Iqamat-ud-Deen (establishment of the Islamic system of life).

For those that are interested in our activities, please check out the promo video for ICNA Relief, our relief division, at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp4l1x6_cVg

More details on the Back to School Giveaway will be posted soon hopefully. Hope to see you there