Our Al-Huda School in Pennsylvania
Founded in 2009, our Al-Huda School branch in Pennsylvania serves as a full-time K-5 Islamic School in the vicinity of Harrisburg, PA. Currently, the school runs out of a small rented building in Camp Hill, PA and expanding into a new, bigger building has been the goal of Dar-us-Salaam for a long time.
As of December 24, 2025, that goal has officially become a reality, Allahu Akbar! The new building purchased in Harrisburg is a much larger facility than the current location, giving Al-Huda School PA the opportunity to expand into more than just an elementary school. The building location is now more accessible to local Muslims in the Pennsylvania area and, with an indoor basketball court and swimming pool, it will be able to host youth and community activities in the near future in shaa Allah.
The Winning Bid
On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 the sound of the gavel hit the table as Al-Huda School PA won the bid in a Pennsylvania auction room for an empty, former Jewish school and community center building facing the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg. Brother Shah Sarwar, one of our Shura members for our Al-Huda School PA branch, was on the phone with Imam Safi Khan of Dar-us-Salaam during the bidding process.
“Alhamdulillah, we won the building at an incredible price of $1.15 Million — the catch was that we needed to raise over $1.2 million, which included various fees and the settlement cost, in about 6 weeks!”
— Imam Safi Khan
Six Months Earlier
On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 the sound of the gavel hit the table as Al-Huda School PA won the bid in a Pennsylvania auction room for an empty, former Jewish school and community center building facing the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg. Brother Shah Sarwar, one of our Shura members for our Al-Huda School PA branch, was on the phone with Imam Safi Khan of Dar-us-Salaam during the bidding process.
“One day, Imam Safi visited a couple who were supporters of Al-Huda School PA. The wife was suffering from a terminal illness and she wanted to donate her lifetime savings of $60,000 as a Sadaqah Jariyah towards a new Al-Huda School PA building,” said Sr. Samira Hingoro. “At the time, we didn’t have a building to purchase. However, to honor her wish, the money was placed in a separate account towards a future opportunity, and the sister passed away soon after.
“A few months later, the opportunity came up to bid on a school building which we had considered in the past for purchase — but the original price tag of $2.2 million had discouraged Al-Huda School PA, and Dar-us-Salaam’s leadership. The same building was won by Al-Huda School PA, in the auction for half the price in October 2025. Subhanallah, the donor’s $60,000 was used to pay towards the initial deposit for the building.
She wanted to donate for sadaqah jariyah and Allah granted her wish. May Allah accept this on her behalf.”
The Time Crunch
Six weeks to raise $1.2 Million is no small feat — but Alhamdulillah, the community came together and Allah blessed this opportunity.
As part of their fundraising efforts, members from the Shura of Al-Huda School PA and Dar-us-Salaam appealed to as many people as possible, knocking door to door, to collect money for this new building. A website was set up, and an overwhelming outpouring of support came flooding in.
“We have never experienced anything on this scale,” said Sr. Samira Hingoro. “Most of the money was collected within a very short time. It just goes to show how Allah’s hand was in everything, and that when He has willed something, it happens with ease. This money didn’t come from us, but from His help and blessings. All we did was try our best, and He opened the doors.
“There was a moment when we were short of $40,000 and sisters from both Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland and in Pennsylvania had donated their gold jewelry towards the new building in our Jewels 4 Jannah campaign. We sold that gold, and to everyone’s surprise, the sales from the jewelry fetched $30,500! Seeing our Maryland community helping out the Pennsylvania one felt like the moment when the Ansaar helped the Muhajiroon, Subhanallah.
“Over 720 people supported this project through their donations, and it wasn’t just local people — donations came from other states, even as far as Texas and Chicago. We were truly humbled to see this outpouring of support. This could not have happened without the help of Allah and the support of both the Maryland and Pennsylvania communities as they banded together, Alhamdulillah.
“The lawyers extended the settlement date another 2 weeks, which bought us more time. By the will and grace of Allah, from the initial time of winning the auction to 2 months and two days later, Allah endowed us with the property keys and possession Alhamdulilah. This is truly a miracle and reminds us when we put our trust in Allah and exert our efforts for His sake Allah subhanahu wa ta’la make impossible situations possible.”
Help Al-Huda School PA Start School Year in Their New Building This Fall
The purchase of the new building is complete, Alhamdulillah, but the work isn’t done just yet. Now begins the crucial phase of preparing the building so that Al-Huda School PA can transition in time for the new school year this Fall.
Those who missed on donating for acquiring of the building can still participate by donating towards restorations and repairs which will help in preparing the building for the upcoming school year, in shaa Allah. These restorations — like fixing the roof and safety updates — are critical in order to be able to make the building usable.
To support the next chapter and share in the ongoing barakah,
Click here to donate todayMay Allah allow everyone who shared, supported, and donated to share in the reward of all good that comes from the purchase of this new building, Ameen.
