IST Documents

Islamic Society of Tuscaloosa

[IST by constitutions]

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY

ARTICLE OF INCORPORATION

THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF TUSCALOOSA

We, the undersigned incorporators, desiring to organize a non-profit corporation in accordance to the laws of the state of Alabama, hereby sign and adopt the following articles of incorporation.

PREAMBLE

Whereas we, the Muslim community of Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas, recognize Islam as a total way of life, pledge to endeavor practicing it as such, we do hereby adopt and give ourselves this constitution and pledge to abide by its provisions, based on the interpretation of Ahl Al Sunnah Wa Al Jama'ah, insha'Allah.

ARTICLE I

Name of the Corporation: The name of the corporation shall be the Islamic Society of Tuscaloosa (hereinafter referred to as the "IST" or the "Corporation"), a non-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II

Duration: The duration of the corporation shall be perpetual unless the corporation is dissolved by law or otherwise terminated.

ARTICLE III

Purposes: The aims and purposes of the IST shall be strictly guided by Islamic principles according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah as understood by Ahl Al Sunnah Wa Al Jama'ah. These principles provide a complete code of conduct to govern the affairs of Islam and serve the best interest of Muslims so as to enable them to adopt Islam as a way of life. Towards these aims and purposes the IST shall:

1. Represent and help Muslims in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas to carry out Islamic activities that are described by the Shariah (Islamic Laws).

2. Present Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims and promote friendly relations and better understanding among them.

3. Aid, support, and assist Muslims in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas through gifts, contributions, and other means, whenever possible.

4. Make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes.

5. Arrange and hold congregational prayers and Islamic religious activities at the appropriate times and places.

6. Establish and strengthen communicative and cooperative bonds among Islamic organizations.

7. Conduct social, cultural, religious, scientific, and charitable activities according to the Islamic principles.

8. Develop institutional services among Muslim members.

9. Establish appropriate plans, policies, and priorities for its members.

10. Engage in the transaction of any and all lawful business and activities related to the above stated purposes or necessary and appropriate thereof.

11. Engage in any and all lawful business for which a non-profit corporation may be incorporated as set forth in Section 10_3A_4 of the Code of Alabama (1975) as amended.

12. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to its officers, directors, or any other persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Article.

ARTICLE IV

Powers: The corporation shall have all of powers allowed by law including but not limited to those general powers set forth in Section 10_3A_20 of the Code of Alabama (1975) as amended.

ARTICLE V

Affiliation: The IST shall be affiliated with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Moreover, real estate purchased for, or donated to the IST, shall be entrusted with the North America Islamic Trust (NAIT). The IST activities must be consistent with those of ISNA.

ARTICLE VI

Members: Any Muslim, aged 16 years or more, living in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas who endeavors to practice Islam as a total way of life is eligible to be a member of the IST.

ARTICLE VII

Finance: The IST shall be financed by contributions, donations, membership dues and other unconditional legitimate sources that are consistent with the Islamic principles and the aims and purposes of the IST. The Board of Directors and the Executive Committee reserve the right to refuse any donation or contribution.

ARTICLE VIII

Dissolution: In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the IST will be turned over to the NAIT.

ARTICLE IX

Initial Board of Directors: The initial board of directors shall consist of four (4) people. The names and addresses of the persons who shall serve as directors until the first annual meeting of the general assembly of the IST or until the successor or successors to such directors be elected and qualify are:

<Director_1>

<Director_2>

<Director_3>

<Director_4>

ARTICLE X

Removal: A director or an officer may be removed as provided in the by-laws.

ARTICLE XI

Incorporators: The name and address of the incorporators of the IST are:

<incorporator_1>

<incorporator_2>

ARTICLE XII

Registered Office: The name of the initial registered agent and the address of the initial registered office of the IST shall be:

<name_1>

The Islamic Society of Tuscaloosa

832 11th Avenue

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

(NOTE: see current address below)

ARTICLE XIII

Amendments: The corporation reserves the right to amend any provisions of these Articles of Incorporation in the manner provided by law; in all rights conferred upon the officers and directors of the corporation are granted subject to this reservation. Amendments may in no way repeal any provision of these Articles of the Incorporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, the said incorporators, have hereunto set our hands on this the Twelfth day of November, 1993.

___________________________

<name_1>

___________________________

<name_2>