WHO WE ARE
We are a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Connecticut with tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America.
OUR HISTORY
An Noor international Foundation was founded in 1999 by Arif Vohra with the assistance of his late father Ismail Vohra (died 1/31/2010 – Rahmatullah Alayh). Ismail Vohra migrated from Gujarat, India to the United States in 1974 with the objective of preserving and propagating the Islamic faith among Muslims and Non-Muslims, and of ensuring that people and society flourish through the moral and ethical ideals of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Ismail Vohra was among the number of Muslims who migrated to the United States in the early 1970s via the Immigration and Naturalization Act (Hart-Celler Act) of 1965. Ismail Vohra was a visionary who wanted to bring positive benefit to his new country of residence through the mechanism of faith. He saw the need of his generation of Muslims to establish places of worship, receive religious education, propagate Islam, provide outreach to the community, and provide charitable assistance and disaster relief to the needy.
Ismail Vohra also saw the need for future generations of Muslims to thrive and flourish in the American society based on sound Islamic and academic foundations.
Prior to establishing An-Noor International Foundation, Inc., Ismail Vohra (R. A.) and his son, Arif Vohra established Masjid An Noor in Bridgeport, CT in 1991. Both father and son managed the Masjid until 1999. Masjid An Noor is currently a very active masjid operating under Bridgeport Islamic Society.
Arif Vohra moved to Milford, CT In 1999 and subsequently set a goal of establishing another masjid for the Muslims living in the Milford/Stratford area. With the help of Allah (swt) and Ismail Vohra, property was purchased in August, 2003 at 390 East Mail Street, Stratford CT. The property subsequently became Masjid Esa Ibn Mariam (PBUH) or Stratford Masjid (www.stratfordmasjid.com).
Further, countless number of people in the United States and throughout the world have benefited from An-Noor’s humanitarian and charitable assistance programs and donations.
Ismail Vohra passed away due to pancreatic cancer on January 31, 2010 (To Allah we belong and to him, to we shall return).
Ismail Vohra’s vision remains ongoing today through the efforts of his family through An-Noor International Foundation, Inc.
We envision that the projects that are conducted via ANIF will be a primary source of spreading beneficial knowledge to the Muslim and Non muslim community alike.
We envision such projects to be critical in preserving the faith of the next generation of Muslims in Connecticut, and nationally as well.
We envision that the projects that are conducted via ANIF will be a primary source of spreading beneficial knowledge to the Muslim and Non muslim community alike.
We envision such projects to be critical in preserving the faith of the next generation of Muslims in Connecticut, and nationally as well.
Our mission is to spread and promote the authentic moral and ethical teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which encapsulates the ideals of all the Prophets and Messengers before him (peace be upon them).
OUR TEAM
The following Members of An Noor’s Board of Trustees are dedicated to continuing the mission and vision of late Ismail Vohra.
Arif Vohra
Chairman of Board TrusteesGraduated from Norwalk Community College in 1983 and currently is president and founder of Vohra LLC, a Real estate development and property management company. Arif also owned and managed Vtech Consulting, IT Recruiting placement firm from 1999-2003. Arif Vohra brings his various experiences as an engineer, inventor, entrepreneur, and his background in sales, marketing, and non-profit management to An- Noor. He furthermore provides 25 years of experience in establishing and operating masajid gained from his father’s tutelage.
Hamza Vohra
Vice ChairmanHamza Vohra completed his memorization of the Qur'an from Markaz Khalid bin Walid, Sharjah, UAE. He is a graduate from the University of Connecticut with a B.Sc. in Biology and a minor in Psychology. He is currently enrolled in the Islamic University of Madinah, KSA at the faculty of Shariah (Islamic Jurisprudence) and is also pursuing an M.S. in Arabic Language from Middlebury College in Vermont, USA.
Haarith Vohra
SecretaryHaarith graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.Sc in Computer Science and Engineering. He often serves as an Imam & Khateeb at the University of Connecticut masjid and at Masjid Esa Ibn Maryam. Haarith also leads the congregation for taraweeh prayers at multiple masajid in CT. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Computer Engineering and Science.
