DEARBORN — Hussein Makled, 88, one of the founders of the Islamic Center of America (ICA), passed away on Wednesday, March 6, leaving behind a legacy that will remain in the community for years to come. 

Makled’s colleagues say he spent the majority of his life committed to establishing an Islamic center for Dearborn’s community well before the city became the biggest concentrated location of Arabs and Muslims in the U.S. In 1962, he helped open up the first establishment for the organization on Joy Rd. Back then it was called the Islamic Center of Detroit.

Original board member and good friend Khalil Al Awan, 83, says Makled was dedicated in securing a facility for the organization, so much that he put his house up for collateral in order to get approved for a loan to build the first facility.

“For the people who attend the mosque for the congregations, they don’t realize the sacrifices, trials and tribulations that people like Hajj Hussein and the founders went through to provide this facility. I don’t hold them responsible because it’s hard to learn about the history of the organization, but they need to know that this man as a founder did many things in his life,” Al Awan said.

Born in Lebanon, Makled grew up there and finished his college education before becoming a school teacher for a number of years. In the early 1940’s he moved to the U.S., where he resided in Highland Park and operated a grocery store. Al Awan says the original 11 founding members of the  ICA created an organization called the Islamic Center Foundation Society, in order to cater to the small population of Muslim Americans residing in Dearborn and Highland Park. Al Awan estimates that the organization catered to about 400 families at the time.   

After establishing the center on Joy Rd., Makled’s involvement didn’t end there. He was proud to watch membership grow from year-to-year until it was time to expand the facility. Kassem Allie, current administrator at the ICA, says that Makled’s dream was to live long enough to see the center thrive, and that was accomplished.

“He was one of the main contributors to developing and financing the new location as well, which was opened in 2005. That long process took about ten years to really come through and hamdillah (Thanks to God) he was here to see it. It was one of his primary wishes, to live long enough to witness his dream, and those wishes came true,” Allie said. 

Al Awan says his relationship with Makled expanded well outside the foundation of the organization. The two ended up becoming life long friends and would travel together in groups every spring to go fishing in Ontario. Al Awan, born in Detroit, says Makled was a great influence on him when it came to religion and learning the Arabic language. He says one attribute he will always remember was his sense of humor.

Hussein Makled at the Islamic Center of America in 2012.

“He was a very articulate, well educated man who had a sharp mind all his life and he loved humor. Many times when he was speaking, he would always make us smile because he was so good at injecting that humorous attitude,” Al Awan added.

Ron Amen, current vice chairman on the ICA board, says Makled was a business minded man who was dedicated to the organization. 

“Had it not been for Hajj Hussein and two or three others that are just about the same age, we wouldn’t have the Islamic Center that we have today, at least not where it’s at. He was very instrumental in starting and fostering the growth of the center over the years as an influx  of Muslims came into the community,” Amen stated. 

Al Awan says that while the establishment of the ICA fulfilled Makled’s life long wishes, his real vision had nothing to do with the architecture or size of the center. For him, it was about the quality of life the center has conveyed and continues to convey through the community.

“When you live as long as he and I have lived and you witness 2-3 generations, you have a perspective on life and history. We looked at the success of the center not through the facilities that have been built, but we looked at the success of the community instead. When you have a school for children and you witness people getting married and having financial stability, you look back and you say my God, very little of those things were present back then. That’s what he was really proud of,” Al Awan said.

Makled’s viewing was held at the ICA on Wednesday, followed by the funeral on Thursday morning, where guest speakers remembered his life and legacy. His burial took place later that day at United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth. Commemoration Services will be held at the ICA on Sunday, March 17 at 3:00 p.m.