IEFK Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is IEFK?  

The Islamic Education Foundation of Knoxville, Inc. (IEFK) is a non-profit tax-exempt religious organization (formed in December 1998) and incorporated in the state of Tennessee (tax ID 62-1779019) in March 1999. 

2. What is the Primary Mission of IEFK?

Establish and operate a full-time Islamic school (Annoor Academy), and build a facility for the school and for community activities. 

3. Who manages IEFK?

An elected nine-member board of directors is the governing body of the organization. The members of board of directors elect among themselves the president, the secretary and the treasurer to serve as the officers of the organization. The Board of directors meets at least once a month to review and approve all major decisions for the organization. 

4. How dose the members of the Board of Directors get elected/selected?

According to the IEFK bylaws, one third (three) members of the board of directors is elected by the parents of Annoor Academy, another third is nominated by the MCK Shura and a third is selected by the existing Board from the community at-large to ensure the needed skills on the Board. A member is elected/selected for a 3-year term. For more information on the election process please refer to IEFK Bylaws. 

5. Are any of the board of directors position paid?

No. All members are volunteers 

6. Does IEFK have committees?

Most of the day-to-day work of IEFK are carried our by four standing committees. These are: (1) Construction Committee, (2) Fundraising Committee (3) School Operations Committee and (4) Public Relations Committee. Other temporary committees (e.g., by-laws revision, staff interview etc. are formed as needed).  

7. How can a community member serve on IFFK committees?

Anyone interested serving on one (or more) of the IEFK committees can do so by contacting the chair for the committee. The current chairs are: Mohammad Elharithi (Construction), Abu Bakar Ahmed (Fundraising), Harith Kemp (school Operations) and Jaber Hassan (Public Relations). 

8. Is there a plan by IEFK to complete the community center ( i.e. the gymnasium) part of the new building?

Yes. Once the phase one (i.e., the classroom part) is completed, planning for phase two (i.e., community center or gym) will begin. Actually one of the walls of the Gym (which also serves as a retaining wall for the supper level road) is being built with phase one. 

9. What other options IEFK management explored before accepting the bank loan (via a community member) to complete the phase one of the building?

The options explored include:

  1. raising funds form the local community at one time (about 1 to 1.5 million) that would be sufficient to complete the phase one of the building
  2. financing from Islamic Financial Institutions, e.g., LaRiba, and
  3. raising funds as a business venture from the local community by proving a share of the building (IEFK would have paid rent for the share). However, thus far none these options have materialized.