06/22/2018
June 22, 2018
Dear FIE-VAHS Community Members,
This communication is a follow-up to the information I presented in my Khutbah several weeks ago. It will also provide communication in response to what is being broadcast in the media. I would like to bring your attention to the following points.
1. Several months back, the Historical Commission of Lower Merion Township wanted to reclassify our school building from Class 2 to Class 1. This change would have had a major financial impact on FIE. We opposed this proposed change.
2. Lower Merion School District (LMSD) decided to purchase our property to build a middle school under the purview of Eminent Domain. Eminent Domain is the right of a government to take over the private property for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within its jurisdiction. After much negotiation LMSD offered us a fair market price and we accepted the offer. As an added benefit of this agreement of sale, LSMD worked alongside with FIE to keep Foundation premises as Class 2.
3. We requested a closing date of July 6, 2019 in order to secure the upcoming academic year, nonetheless, the best date we could negotiate was October 31, 2018.
4. Based on these facts, the FIE Board of Trustees took the decision to announce the closing of Villanova Academy for Honor Studies. We did not want to delay the decision in fairness to our students, their parents, and our staff members.
What’s Next….
Foundation will relocate to another site. We are working with a real estate agent to search and identify a new location which meets a set of criteria that would accommodate all of the Foundation’s programs and required facilities as zoning requirements.
The decision to relocate FIE was not an easy one. It came with the weight of a twenty year investment to realize the dream of building a beacon of light comprised of dedicated and qualified staff, the unwavering support of parents, and exceptionally intelligent and hardworking students. We are proud of our numerous graduates whom have gone on to complete their college educations and have demonstrated leadership and overall excellence within their professions. They are thriving within society while maintaining pride in their Islamic identity.
FIE is deeply grateful to all of you for your tireless efforts over the last two decades. Together, we have built a talented and promising future generation. May Allah (SWT) reward you the best and guide us all towards a brighter future at our new upcoming location that will sere our Muslim community and American society at large.
Sincerely,
Mustafa A. Ahmed, Ph.D
FIE Director – AUIS Professor
[email protected]
610-520-9624 Ext 221 (Office)
