The Islamic School of Seattle is closing after 32 years of teaching and learning at 25th and Cherry.

They are holding a farewell celebration, and anyone who has been involved with the school during it’s years in the neighborhood are invited to return June 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Islamic School of Seattle warmly invites all community members, friends, students, parents, and volunteers who have been connected, with ISS in one way or another, over the last 32 years.

Over the course of the evening, we will remember the faces of the ISS, share memories, and of course enjoy delicious food.

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Come ready to share 1 dish (appetizer, entree, side, or dessert), and perhaps a story about the ISS (creativity encouraged).

As we prepare for this occasion, we are asking all of you who have been involved with the Islamic School of Seattle, to share a quick quote responding to the following, “What the ISS has meant to me”. Please click on this link to share your quick response: https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/merch786/170673. This should only take you a couple of minutes and it is not necessary to include your name. These quotes will be incorporated in to our program. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sr. Natasha Merchant at [email protected].

Founded in 1980 by a group of Muslim American women, the ISS taught children from preschool through sixth grade. The current school building, at one time a Jewish day care, was purchased in 1980 mostly with funding from individuals in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to the school’s web site. Here is their teaching philosophy:

We emphasize the mercy, compassion and limitless love of Allah (SWT). Students are encouraged to always wonder at Allah’s creation; looking through Muslim eyes at history, math, science and all of human knowledge and to think, as Allah (SWT) has commanded, inquisitively and creatively. The human intellect is at the pinnacle of Allah’s creation. Insha’Allah, we will raise thinking Muslims who truly understand their religion and its practices. Children succeed when they are intimately involved in their own learning. The teacher provides guidance and support within an environment of choice and active participation by the children. We emphasize compassion, respect and justice for all humanity regardless or ethnicity, social status or religion.

UPDATE: More on the closing, from a letter by Board President Glenn Block:

For thirty years, ISS has offered a unique education, one that focuses on the whole child. Islamic teachings nourish our students spiritually and intellectually, while the Montessori-based instructional philosophy has grounded them academically.  The Islamic School has prepared Muslim-American youth who have a thirst for knowledge and deep commitment to serving the community.

It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that due to very low enrollment and our unsustainable financial situation, the Islamic School of Seattle and Cherry Hill Montessori will be closing in June, at the end of the 2012 school year.

ISS has faced great financial struggles for several years. In the past year our situation has continued to decline to the point that we can just barely make our ends meet. The mounting expenses for upkeep of the school property, combined with a very low response for our enrollment has led us to this very difficult decision. 

It has been an absolute pleasure and blessing to provide a quality Islamic education for the children of the Puget Sound. We are thankful to our students and parents and our wonderful staff and teachers who have devoted their lives to the mission of the school. And of course we thank Allah SWT for having given us this important responsibility and opportunity.