Michigan Islamic Academy planning major expansion

Michigan Islamic Academy

Pam Stout | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan Islamic Academy, a private school within the Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor at 2301 Plymouth Road, is planning a $1.8 million expansion including eight new classrooms and a gymnasium.

According to Tarek Nahlawi, a member of the school's Board of Education, the new building will replace eight temporary classrooms currently rented from nearby office buildings. The school serves approximately 200 K-12 students and does not presently have a gymnasium for sports and other activities.

About the Michigan Islamic Academy

According to its website, the Michigan Islamic Academy (MIA) provides a comprehensive curriculum that offers students a broad range of both academic and religious subjects, including Arabic language, Islamic studies, mathematics, computers, science, social studies, health, and physical education.

Mission:
To provide excellence in education while nurturing Muslim Character.

Goals:
To preserve the religion and cultural identity of our children as reflected in their Islamic beliefs and values.

To provide the basic knowledge to pass on the Islamic heritage to our children.

To provide an alternative to public schools.

To provide the Muslim students of the USA with an environment where they can practice their religion and they can find role models for Islamic behavior and attitude.

"Everyone is very happy with the plans," said Nahlawi, whose children attend the school. "It will allow for a much better flow for the students and a nicer environment." The community is hoping the new facility will attract more families to the school from the local area.

The Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor has completed one capital campaign for the improvements and will likely launch another in January. They will also work with local banks to fund the project.

The new building will be environmentally friendly, with energy-saving and "green" materials incorporated throughout the plans.

Once all of the permits and paperwork are finalized, Nahlawi expects construction to commence during the next school year with a targeted opening in fall 2011.

Pam Stout coordinates Faith and Home & Garden coverage for AnnArbor.com. She may be reached at pamstout@annarbor.com.