ESTABLISHING ROOTS

According to minutes of the April 1966 Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved bylaws, organized an Islamic library, purchased a Spirit duplicator, started a newsletter and maintained an answering service. It also voted to change its name to the Islamic Foundation of Southern California. With $8,315 in pledges, the community set up a committee to search for a permanent building site in Los Angeles. “I remember a time when there were only 12 families,” wrote Betty Jean Alsabery, the first woman who served on the Board in various capacities from 1958-1967. “We paid the rent, cut the weeds, cleaned the toilets, helped newcomers and led the prayers ourselves. Most of us were students or young working people with families or both. I feel honored to have served with these unselfish people to bring Islam to this country.”