CISNA HISTORIAL TIMELINE

1989-
ISNA commissioned a survey of full time Islamic schools in the United States. Dr. Shaban Ismail conducted the survey in schools supported by Imam Warith Deen Mohammed’s community, the only community that had a history of administering full-time, independent Muslim schools since 19---. Dr. Zakiyyah Muhammad was the first to receive a PhD in study of Muslim schools in the United States, followed by Malook Roghnizard in 1990.

1991-
An organizational meeting was convened in Detroit. The first Board members were elected. Zakiyyah, Alia, Saboor, Abdullah Idris Ali , Agiel Bilal (it was determined that the Board would have an ISNA representative on the Board), Sis Ghazi, Ama Shabazz (from N.C.) Sis Muslimah, from Indianapolis and  Qaiser Imam. At this meeting several decisions were made:

75% of membership will be for full-time schools.

CISNA would be incorporated as a separate entity, with its own tax, budget, etc. 

The country was divided into regions and each Board member was given a specific role/task, in addition to a region with which to work.  These were as follow:  School Development/Organization/Legal, Evaluation; Professional Development/Teacher Training; Arabic/Islamic Studies; Curriculum Development, etc. Articles of Incorporation and By Laws were developed to reflect the new focus.

1993-
The first General Assembly was held in Chicago. Agiel Bilal was elected chairman. An additional member, Zakia Amin from Baltimore were added to the Board. Due to limited resources CISNA narrowed its focus

1993-1995
Regional workshops were conducted between 1993 and 1995; on the West Coast, at Riverside; in Atlanta; in New York; in Chicago; and in Washington D.C. 

1995
A General Assembly convened in Newark with workshops on school administration, teacher training, and other areas of concern. At this meeting it was determined that CISNA should focus on accreditation, and to release Board members to work within their local areas, assisting schools on an Ad Hoc basis.  

1997
In 1997 another General Assembly was held in Houston, Texas, with the same agenda.  At this time, Sheikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah and Dr. Kem Hussain were elected to the Board. Agiel Bilal resigned as chair and Qaiser Imam remained as the only original Board member. 

2000
Agiel Bilal completed the accreditation self-study manual at IQRA's headquarters Labor Day weekend, September, 2000.

2004