I. Articles
This Muslim Association Of Virginia, Inc. Bylaws is approved by members of the General Body and made effective on January 12, 2008. This document supersedes and makes voids any prior or collateral documents and understandings, whether they be implied through any communication medium or expressed in writing. These Bylaws, together with the Articles of Incorporation, are the sole documents that now govern the affairs and operations of the MAV. NO MODIFICATION OR AMENDMENT OF THESE MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA, BYLAWS WILL BE EFFECTIVE UNLESS IT IS APPROVED BY MAJORITY VOTE OF MAV MEMBERS AT A GENERAL BODY MEETING AT WHICH A QUORUM IS PRESENT.

II. Name
Muslim Association of Virginia, Inc. (MAV) is a faith-based non-profit organization established in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This incorporated name was approved and filed with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia on August 15, 2007.

III. Registered Office, Mailing Address, Registered Agent
The primary office of MAV is:                                               The Mailing Address of MAV is:
Muslim Association of Virginia, Inc.                                      Muslim Association of Virginia, Inc.
5404 Hoadly Road,                                                              P.O. Box 2551
Manassas, VA 20112                                                           Woodbridge, VA 22193

The Board of Directors of MAV shall authorize and cause to be established and maintained all MAV offices, including future offices that may later be established, within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

IV. Definitions
For the purposes of clarification and interpretation of the language of this document, the intended meaning of specific words, phrases, and terms cited in this document are hereby defined as follows:

1. “Muslim" means person who professes the religion of Islam and declares the ‘Kalimat-ush-Shahadat’, the declaration of faith to the religion of Islam. Male Muslim persons may also be referred to as “Muslim” and female Muslim persons may also be referred to as “Muslimah”.
2. The Kalimat-ush-Shahadat means “the declaration of faith to the religion of Islam” and consists of the words, "Ash-hadu an la-ilaaha illalaah wahdahu la shareekalahu wa ash-hadunna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasooluh” which means, “I bear witness that none is worthy of being worshipped but Allah, He is alone and has no partner and I (further) bear witness that Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him [PBUH]) is His servant and messenger”. A Muslim also believes that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last and final prophet of Allah.
3. "Branch" means any subordinate office or organization that is empowered by MAV to be
   affiliated with and/or to represent MAV.
4. “Affiliation Fee" is the annual fee that a Branch of MAV shall pay to MAV.

V. Objectives
MAV applied for exemption from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(3) and to be generally eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. This was granted on April 3, 1991. The objectives of the Association are as follows, provided however that no objective shall be interpreted in a manner which will violate internal Revenue Code 501(C) (3):

1. To meet the religious, educational, cultural and social needs of Muslims in Virginia.
2. To provide facilities, services and activities to promote the spiritual advancement of the Muslim community, to nourish the deen (faith), promote the Islamic goal of unity and “brotherhood” (the term applies to both genders).
3. To promote the Islamic principles of engaging in community outreach services to keep families together by providing services and activities; to meet the needs of the youth and the elderly; to support the needy Muslim and the non-Muslim members in our community; to work with Muslim and Non-Muslim organizations that share our values on joint projects for providing community services and projects that further mutual support; and to reach out to other Faith based groups and organizations to facilitate and perpetuate friendly relations in our community.
4. To provide, as may be requested, assistance in the funeral services and arrangements for the burial of MAV members and non-members whose life expired within the local operating area of MAV.
5. To construct, purchase, lease, rent, secure Sharia (Islamic Law) compliant real estate mortgages, and hire persons to manage land, buildings, structures, premises and properties deemed necessary to promote the MAV objectives outlined herein.
6. To seek and receive funds through subscriptions, donations, bequests, profits, endowments, and gifts of monies, lands, stocks, securities, all other properties and assets, real or intangible, hereditaments and all other legitimate means, and to manage such funds, assets, and properties or to use, consume, sell, lease, rent, liquidate, or otherwise disposition these items for the purpose of promoting the MAV objectives outlined herein.
7. To employ persons as necessary for the purposes of supporting the objectives of MAV and to pay them salaries/wages, or other considerations as may be agreed to, or to employ such persons on a voluntary basis to secure the products or services that they may provide in furtherance of the MAV objectives outlined herein.
8. To seek assistance from the county, state, and federal governments towards, and in connection with, the promotion of the MAV objectives outlined herein and to enter into any lawful arrangements with them or with any other Authority, statutory or private, and domestic or foreign, and to obtain from any government entity or any other authority any lawful rights, privileges and concessions which MAV may think desirable to obtain, and to carry out, exercise and comply with such arrangements, rights, privileges and concessions.
9. To do such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of, or in furtherance of attainment of, the MAV objectives outlined herein.

VI. Legal Purposes
To protect MAV’s status as a tax exempt organization generally eligible to receive taxdeductible
contributions:

1. MAV's net earnings may not inure to any member or other private person(s).
2. MAV shall not provide a substantial benefit to private interests.
3. MAV shall not devote a substantial part of their activities to attempting to influence
   legislation.
4. MAV shall not participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in
   opposition to) any candidate for public office.
5. MAV’s purposes and activities shall not be illegal.
   

This is not intended to restrict the rights of members, appointed officers, or Board of Directors to engage in political activity in their individual capacities, and each member, officer, and director of MAV shall have the same rights any other person has to lobby for or against legislation, or to participate in any political campaign. So long as the member, officer, or director is acting in an individual capacity, this activity will not affect MAV’s tax-exempt status. Should the situation be such that the capacity of a member might be in doubt, he or she should make it clear by stating that he or she is speaking individually, and not on behalf of
MAV, before engaging in political or lobbying activities.

VII. Membership
Any person, regardless of race, color, ethnicity or gender, may become a member of MAV, provided all the requirements of applicable member type described below are met. The types of MAV memberships consist of General Member, Life Member, Founding Member and Contributing Member. The qualifications to be a member in any of these types of memberships are as cited below. Requirements pertaining to disapproval of membership applications are as cited in Article XV, Disapproval of Membership. Requirements pertaining to suspension and termination of membership are as cited in Article XVI, Suspension of Membership, and Article
XVII, Termination of Membership.

The number of General members is unlimited. The qualifications to become a General Member and to maintain General Member status are to meet and maintain ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS below:

• The Applicant is a Muslim (male Muslim) or Muslimah (female Muslim) and declares his or her belief in ALLAH, His Angels, His Prophets, His Books, the Day of Judgment, and that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is His last messenger.
• The Applicant agrees to strive to practice Islam in his or her daily life.
• The Applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age and alive.
• The Applicant is not a member of any outlawed organization under U.S. law.
• The Applicant agrees to abide by MAV Bylaws.
• The Applicant pays in full the prescribed annual membership fee, as determined by the Board of Directors. Payment of the full annual membership fee is due at the time of completed application or the application will not be considered for approval. Partial payments of the annual fee do not meet the qualification requirements for membership.
  
• The Applicant continues to pay in full all subsequent annual membership fees; preferably on or before it becomes due.
• The Applicant completes the MAV application to become a General Member and affirms in writing, by signing the application, his or her unconditional agreement to each of the General Member qualification requirements cited in this section.  
• The Applicant is recommended to be a General Member by at least one General Member of MAV.
• The Applicant receives a majority approval decision by the Board of Directors, or if BOD so delegates, applicant approval authorization to the appointed President to permit the Applicant to become a General Member of MAV. The Applicant must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and each approved General Member must continue to be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  

Voting Rights – General Member

See Article X, General Assembly Meeting Proceedings and Voting Rights, subparagraph 3. Voting At General Body Meetings and Extraordinary Meetings.

2.  Life Member

a)  Qualifications for a Life Member:

The maximum number of total approved Life Members shall not exceed forty (40). The qualifications to become a Life Member shall be to meet and maintain ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS below:

• The candidate is a General Member in good standing
• The candidate demonstrated service, selflessness and dedication to MAV, and the promotion of MAV’s objectives.
• Demonstrated commitment to Islam, the cause of Islam, and the Muslim Community.
• The candidate has been a General Member for a minimum of five (5) years.