What We Value

 
 

People

The way that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) interacted with people is our gold standard for how we engage with each other. Respect, compassion, and warmth are non-negotiables. We believe people have the capacity to change and encourage individual growth. They are the experts of their own experience and ultimately know what they need to feel welcome/safe/valued and we ask for and listen to feedback. We prioritize people. Period.  All of our programming is designed with our community’s stated needs in mind.

Relationships

Healthy relationships are healing. Having friends who actively support your spiritual journey and religious practice is an important and often overlooked component of our individual wellness. For this reason, we prioritize intentional interaction between attendees at every one of our gatherings, designed to help facilitate depth in conversation and meaningful connections that ideally lead to companionship.

Authenticity

At the core, Center DC’s culture IS the people who make up our community. We are an imperfect assembly of believers, seekers, and companions striving to be our best selves and encouraging each other along the way.

Diversity (of thought & practice)

You’ll find many different perspectives, level of practice, and approach to living Islam actualized at Center DC. This diversity is our strength - as is our common bond to strive towards a holistic Islamic practice. We do this by affirming traditional Sunni beliefs and practices in a non-aggressive, non-imposing way to create a space that is welcoming for anyone who identifies as a Muslim whether or not their particular beliefs or practices fit perfectly into that mold. In keeping with this value, we intentionally seek to welcome our Shia sisters and brothers in our gatherings by praying at an inclusive time and designing our space and schedule with them in mind.

Having Fun

Whenever possible, we incorporate play into our practice.  We value the joy and blessing in the work. Having fun together is an important part of how we build a sense of community.