Early in the morning of Saturday, Jan. 12, Ibrahim Uyar and others from the Turkish American Community Center were sitting in the center’s multipurpose hall, enjoying a breakfast of potatoes, bread, eggs, cheese and tea. At 8 a.m., it was quiet and chilly outside, but the room was full of cheerful conversation. Everyone was familiar with each other in the room, giving the center the feel of an established community.

It most definitely is established.

“The center has been around for 14 years,” said Uyar, the center’s president. Located on Good Luck Road in Lanham, Md., the TACC property is located in a large enclosure surrounded by trees, giving it a peaceful, secluded feel. Until this point, secluded is primarily what the center has been.

While it has existed for 14 years and held numerous events, such as picnics, potluck dinners, and Islamic classes, TACC’s big plans for expansion have been on hold for quite awhile. The center had a limited membership, and was unsuccessful in developing an expansion plan and procuring new members.

Three years ago, the expansion plans reemerged as realistic. Coincidentally, this was when Uyar decided to let the Turkish government, or specifically, the Presidency of Religious Affairs, handle the funding issues, while he concentrated on the local development of the center. Also, TACC decided to open its membership to the general public, not restricting it to those who lived in the area or those of Turkish descent.

“Now we are open to everybody,” Uyar said. “And there has definitely been progress.”

Part of this progress is the increased number of participants at the center’s various events and programs, some of which were surprisingly covered by the Al-Jazeera television station.

Every Wednesday is “women’s day,” which features breakfast at the center and then various Islamic discussions. This draws in 30-40 people per day. Every Saturday night, the center holds a potluck dinner, where every attendee brings  unique dish. These dinners bring 40-60 people to the center.  TACC also hosts summer picnics in July and August.

Amazingly, Uyar says over 300 people come to each. In addition, there is a special service with each Friday prayer. “Free lunch,” Uyar said.

The increased participation in masjid programs propelled the expansion project, which had been on hold for years due to a shortage in funds and center membership. Now, Uyar feels like the center is ready to move on.

As part of a detailed architectural plan, TACC plans to build a mosque that can hold up to 1000 people, Uyar said.  Other buildings on the property would include meeting rooms, a library, computer center, and conference rooms. Every building on the projected plan has been allowed by Prince George’s County’s zoning laws. Uyar said the neighbors have no objection to the proposed construction either.

“We have a good relationship with our neighbors,” Uyar said.

The expansion would take place on a plot of over 50 acres of land, previously owned by the Turkish-American Islamic Foundation, which was the previous name of TACC when it started back in 1993. Now, the land is owned by the Turkish government. The money raised so far is stored in a bank account, with not a penny of it to be touched until the development projects are under way.

Uyar said TACC raises money from membership fees, fundraising dinners and other events, and will likely aim to make the center self-sufficient, with revenue coming from a daycare, café, market, a rentable conference hall, and increased fundraisers and other events.

Uyar believes that the development of a high quality facility is vital to all Muslims living in the area. He believes that Turkish Muslims should preserve some of their cultural values and identity by visiting a center where they will be united with their brethren.