Zawiyah Foundation of the DMV

Our Purpose

The Zawiyah Foundation of the DMV's purpose is to advance the spiritual and educational needs of Muslims throughout the DMV area. We are dedicated to spreading love and happiness, to building a three-dimensional relationship between the individual and his/her Creator, between the individual and his/herself, and between the individual and the entire creation. This three dimensional relationship consists of remembrance (dhikr), knowledge ('ilm), and being with sincere company (suhba). 

Our Founder and Teacher

Our dear teacher and founder, Imam Fode Drame has dedicated his life to the ongoing dissemination of knowledge on the local and international scale. Descending from 1,100 years of unique Islamic Tradition with a lineage of teachers and healers throughout the Senegambian region of west Africa, he now has helped countless students re-center their understanding and deepen their practice of faith. Imam Fode focuses on guiding disciples to building their relationship with the Quran and their Creator through a series of character-building practices and ongoing support on a personal and community-level. He continues to produce publications and courses centered on the holistic embodiment of human principle emphasized within the Quran.  

Securing a Home for Zawiyah DMV

“And your Lord inspired the bee, saying, ‘Build yourselves houses in the mountains and trees and what people construct.”(Quran 16:68: Surah An-Nahl [The Bee])

Services We Provide

This Ramadan, we hope to raise the funds needed to secure a home for Zawiyah DMV. A zawiyah literally translates to a “nook” or “corner”, and is used in reference to a place of worship, meditation, and reflection. However, our zawiyah will look to serve the community beyond just a place of worship by providing the following services:

• Weekly Dhikr (Remembrance of God) and Halaqas/Majlis (a religious gathering to study Islam)
• Events of Knowledge & Quran
• Service Activities
• Gathering space when our luminaries visit, Imam Fode Drame
• Family & Children gatherings
• Prayers
• Raising our future generations on a prophetic model.

We hope to raise $30,000 this month for the following expenses:

• Lease paid in full for 1 year
• Utilities
• Initial construction / renovation build out costs
• A/V equipment, internet network, and security equipment
• Interior décor & signage

Space Features

Our goal is to provide the community with a space that will be welcoming to all and comfortably accommodate our needs. This obviously includes having a musalla (literally, "place for prayer") where our weekly Dhikr and Halaqa/Majlis will be take place. We plan to have a small kitchenette to store and prepare our meals/snacks for our weekly gatherings, as well as iftars (evening meal to break fast) during Ramadan. Ideally would have two restrooms for men and women, which will also include wudu (ritual cleansing) stations to facilitate performing ablution for prayers. Finally, we plan to have an office / library that will serve multiple purposes, one of which will be a location for one-on-one individual sessions with Imam Fode when he is visiting.

Please Join us in this noble endeavor. We look forward to being in community with you and becoming the best versions of ourselves together.