What if flipping a light switch could reflect your values? At The Muslim Center in Detroit, a wave of clean energy upgrades is doing just that: turning faith into action through smarter, greener spaces.
Abdur Rasheed's dedication to serving others shines through at the Muslim Center
“It’s our job to take care of the earth that we’ve been entrusted with,” - Jabril Salam, trustee at the Muslim Center
The Muslim Center, located near the Russell Woods-Sullivan area, is a trusted resource in a neighborhood that often goes without.
The center offers food and clothing assistance, hot meals to hundreds of individuals each year, and works closely with the Huda Clinic to provide free medical and dental care, along with help covering the cost of medicine. Several social workers are available to lend a hand when needed, and the Center hosts support meetings every Wednesday to support those in recovery. Counseling is also available—including relationship counseling—as well as a variety of supportive services like help with utility bills, transportation, and other emergency needs.
The Muslim Center is all about being there for the community, providing care, support, and stability when it’s needed most.
Volunteers at The Muslim Center embody the spirit of compassion while serving their neighbors for their weekly food distributions. This year alone near 900 people have received food assistance through the Muslim Center.
Comfort and clean air
Recent energy improvements have made a tangible difference at the Muslim Center, transforming how the building functions on a daily basis and strengthening their essential community work. Before the upgrades, turning on lights was a manual process that involved going to fuse boxes in different parts of the building just to light up the exterior and prayer hall. Now, motion-sensor lighting has streamlined the entire process: lights automatically turn on when someone enters and shut off when the space is empty, saving energy and making things easier for everyone. The lighting was also upgraded to energy-saving LED bulbs, which are brighter and use much less electricity than incandescent and fluorescent lights.
Connecting with the heart of community in The Muslim Center jazz cafe
Beyond lighting, six air-purifying destratification fans were also installed. These ceiling-mounted units circulate and mix the air—pushing warm air down in the winter, to keep the space more comfortable and energy-efficient, while also improving airflow and cooling in the summer. Air purification systems were installed along with them so that, even when large groups of people enter the hall, the air is being filtered for viruses. These changes have created a healthier, more efficient environment for the entire community.
Abdur Rasheed showcasing the benefits of upgrading to the energy efficient tankless water heater
Along with the new fans, important upgrades were made to stop drafts in key areas—especially above the main entrance doors—so the building holds in heat better during the winter and stays cooler in the summer. On the roof, older parts of the heating and cooling system were replaced with more efficient ones, helping the building use less energy overall. New HVAC units and repairs are further improving the energy efficiency of the building. These changes not only make the space more comfortable for the congregation, but they also help reduce energy costs in the long run.
Energy Projects in Process |
| Year Built | 1939 |
| Square footage |
23,400 |
|
Energy efficiency improvements ($50,000) |
|
Community gathering at the Muslim Center
Stewardship and sustainability go hand in hand
Jabril Salam, trustee of The Muslim Center, emphasized that energy efficiency aligns closely with Islamic values. “In our faith, we're not supposed to waste money,” he explained. For Salam, saving energy isn’t just about reducing utility bills, which can be challenging with rising costs from providers like DTE, but also about living out the responsibility to care for the environment. By improving the building’s efficiency, The Muslim Center is able to cut costs, reduce waste, and better serve both its congregation and the surrounding community.
Energy Upgrades and Est. Savings at a Glance |
| Energy efficiency improvements ($100,000) |
|
| $ Savings | $ 8,978 annually $128,306 + over 20 years |
| Energy use reduction | 17% |
| Energy savings equivalencies | = 7,500 gallons of gasoline NOT consumed = 1,100 tree seedlings grown for 10 years |
Select upgrades were supported by Michigan’s Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) under U.S. Treasury Dept. award number SLFRF0127. Sacred Spaces upgrades were supported by the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) under U.S. Dept. of Energy award number EE0008653 in partnership with World Renew and EcoWorks.