​The Muslim Community Center for Human Services (MCC), founded in 1995, is the first Muslim charitable organization in Texas dedicated to providing medical, dental, mental health, and social services to the underserved. For nearly three decades, MCC has stood as a beacon of compassion and interfaith collaboration in North Texas, serving people of all races, religions, and backgrounds. This history reflects the vision, resilience, and community spirit that continues to guide MCC today

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History of the Development of the Muslim Community Center for Human Services

M. Basheer Ahmed, M.D., Founder and Chairman Emeritus.

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"The purpose of goals is to focus our attention. The mind will not reach towards achievement until it has clear objectives. The magic begins when we set goals. It is then that the switch is turned on, the current starts to flow, and the power to accomplish becomes a reality." — (Anonymous)

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1995–2000: Founding Years  

 

In the summer of 1995, I received a call from Catholic Charities regarding newly arrived Muslim refugees from Bosnia. They needed information about places of worship and the availability of halal food. These refugees were being assisted by "World Vision," a Christian church organization dedicated to helping distressed people worldwide, regardless of religious affiliation.

During the 1990s, there were few mosques in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and they were struggling to establish themselves. They were not in a position to help the incoming Muslim refugees. It became clear that the DFW Muslim community lacked any social service organization to support the unique challenges facing new refugees and immigrants. After meeting with some of the refugees, I realized they needed help with multiple issues and faced significant barriers in accessing local services due to religious, cultural, and language differences.

Therefore, I called a meeting of Muslim community leaders to discuss these emerging issues. Thirty-five leaders responded to the call, including religious leaders, physicians, businesspeople, and social activists. We all recognized the urgent need to establish an organization to assist Muslim refugees and immigrants who were struggling due to financial constraints, cultural adjustments, and language barriers. Thus, the Muslim Community Center for Human Services (MCCHS) was established in 1995 as the first Muslim organization in Texas dedicated to providing a range of medical, dental, mental health, and social services to indigent residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Early Initiatives and Growth

The first significant project organized by MCC was a Health Fair in 1995 in Arlington, TX. Beyond providing health screenings, the fair was instrumental in disseminating information about MCC and its mission. More than 500 individuals attended. For the next decade, MCC was the only organization consistently offering health fairs across the metroplex, screening for medical problems, arranging mammograms, and providing health education.

 

MCCHS obtained tax-exempt status in 1996. In 1998, we established the first charitable Muslim medical clinic in Texas, Al-Shifa. In 2000, we acquired our own building, which housed the medical clinic, social services, and the organization's headquarters. I had the opportunity to speak about MCCHS at local and national meetings, including the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and articles about our work were published in "Islamic Horizon" and the "Journal of the Islamic Medical Association of North America."

In addition to health fairs and seminars, we launched a 24-hour Helpline to address the immediate issues faced by refugees and immigrants. The Al-Shifa Clinic, opened in 1998, began providing free, non-emergency medical services to uninsured refugees, immigrants, and indigent patients.

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2001–2010: Expansion of Services and Interfaith Outreach

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2A landmark event occurred in 2003 when MCC organized its first Interfaith Health Fair at the United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas, co-sponsored by Richland Hill Christian Church and St. John Catholic Church. This enormously successful event introduced MCC to the broader community. The cities of Richland Hill and North Richland Hill proclaimed September 27, 2003, as "MCC Health Fair Day." The event was inaugurated by the mayors, County Commissioner Mr. Whitley Penn, and Dr. Hathway, Medical Director of the Tarrant County Public Health Department. Notably, 80% of the participants were non-Muslim, while almost 90% of the providers were Muslim.

In 2004, MCC expanded its mission to serve all indigent residents of North Texas, regardless of faith or background. Since then, MCC has grown into a multi-service organization, serving uninsured, underinsured, immigrant, and refugee populations from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

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Addressing Social and Family Challenges

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The Muslim population in North Texas was growing rapidly, reaching an estimated 200,000. With this growth came an influx of complex medical and social problems: marital conflicts, high rates of divorce, child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, and immigration and legal problems. Acknowledging these issues was difficult due to denial and stigma within the community. There was a unanimous consensus that we needed a strong social service organization akin to Catholic Charities or Jewish Family Services. Consequently, MCCHS expanded its services to include:

Healthy Marriage Initiatives. Premarital, marriage, and divorce counseling to strengthen families; Domestic violence counseling;     Child abuse awareness programs, in collaboration with Child Protective Services; Educational workshops on parenting, women’s issues, senior health, and Islamic perspectives on social issues.             In 2001, MCC launched its domestic violence counseling program with a landmark conference, “Domestic Violence – An Islamic Perspective,” featuring national and local experts as well as respected imams who emphasized that abuse is un-Islamic.

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Organizational Development and Funding

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In 2004, we attended training programs to strengthen our organization and Board, supported by a small grant from the Foundation for Community Empowerment (FCE).

The primary source of funding for MCC has always been donations from the Muslim community. We do not charge patients fees for services, though we request a minimal administrative fee for new and follow-up clinic visits. Counseling services remain free. MCC has also received grants from governmental and private foundations, including the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Alliance of Health Providers, and state and federal agencies for specific programs like our Domestic Violence initiative.

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Programs and Projects: A Detailed Look 2000-2018

Help Line: Our 24-hour telephone counseling and referral service handles non-emergency calls, connecting individuals with volunteers or staff who can assist with medical referrals, job searches, legal issues, and family problems.

Health Fairs: These regular events identify common health issues like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Patients in need of further care are referred to community physicians, public hospitals, or Al-Shifa Clinic.

Al-Shifa Clinic: Established in 1998, the clinic provides diagnosis and treatment for indigent patients and uninsured visitors. Eighteen area physicians volunteer on a rotating basis each Saturday, providing free consultations and medications. We serve approximately 1,000 patients annually and offer lab work at discounted rates.

Eye Clinic: A monthly clinic with a volunteer optometrist providing screenings and prescriptions

Dental Clinic: A clinic opened in 2010 with equipment donated by Dr. Sam Roach, a Christian dentist, offering x-rays, cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Dr. Roach also served as a volunteer dentist for several years.

Mental Health Services: Staffed by volunteer psychiatrists and counselors, this clinic addresses the high incidence of mental health issues among immigrants, with referrals to MHMR for severe cases.

Breast Cancer Awareness – With grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, MCC has provided free educational programs, screenings, and mammograms for indigent women since 2004

Senior Citizen Program: MCC provides services and educational programs for senior citizens on health issues, Social Security, Medicaid, and immigrant-specific challenges.

Services for Immigrants: MCC has held workshops and provided direct assistance to refugees from Somalia and Bosnia, including financial aid, clothing, and household goods, while collaborating closely with government agencies.

Guidelines for Health Care Providers: MCC prepared and distributed a brochure to every hospital in the DFW area to educate healthcare providers on the religious and cultural sensitivities of Muslim patients.

Breast Cancer Education Program: Funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, this program educates the community on early detection and has arranged free mammograms for over 120 indigent women.

Teaming for Technology: Through a donation from United Way/IBM, MCC offers computer training to underprivileged students, women, and senior citizens.

Outreach Program: MCC is a formal partner of the Arlington Life Shelter for the Homeless, providing meals and organizing a Back-to-School program to supply children with essential school supplies. We also assisted refugees displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Counseling Services: We offered premarital, marriage, and divorce counseling to strengthen families and reduce trauma.

Educational Seminars: MCC organizes workshops on challenges facing the community, including marital conflicts, parenting, child abuse, and health issues for seniors.

Abused Children and Child Protective Agencies: MCC works closely with Child Protective Services, educating parents on local laws, providing counseling, and seeking Muslim foster parents for children in need.

Domestic Violence and Abused Women: Launched in 2001 with a regional conference, this program offers counseling and referral services to abused women. We recognize the critical need for a dedicated shelter for Muslim women and children.

Like all organizations, MCCHS faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We suspended in-person services in March 2020, transitioning to telehealth for medical consultations and counseling. All services resumed in March 2022.

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2023  2025 Financial Challenges and Renewal

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MCC’s funding has always relied primarily on community donations, supplemented by grants from foundations and state/federal agencies. Services are free, with only minimal administrative fees for clinic visits

In 2019, a new Executive Director was hired. While excelling in program development, challenges with fiscal management emerged. In 2023, the organization faced a severe financial crisis after a state grant was not renewed. The Executive Director resigned, and the Board considered closing the center after providing 28yrs of services

I found it impossible to accept the closure of an organization that had provided 28 years of essential service to the community. At 88 years old, I came out of retirement to volunteer full-time as both Executive Director and Director of Operations, saving the organization an estimated $140,000 in annual salaries. From October to December 2023, I worked to raise $180,000 to cover operational costs, allowing us to hire a Program Director and secure the center's future. This revival reaffirmed MCC’s resilience and its importance to the North Texas community.

Legacy of Service 2025 & beyond

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For nearly 30 years, MCC has provided essential services to thousands of indigent residents, immigrants, and refugees. Its success has been made possible by dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and interfaith collaboration.

Humanity is defined by compassion, empathy, kindness, and treating each other with dignity. The Muslim Community Center for Human Services has embodied this principle for the past 30 years, providing essential services to the needy irrespective of their race, religion, or country of origin. This work is made possible by strong community support, a dedicated staff, a compassionate board, and the selfless service of our physician and non-physician volunteers. The Muslim Community Center for Human Services continues to embody that mission, standing as a beacon of service and hope for the Dallas–Fort Worth community. I am proud to have been part of this journey and grateful for the interfaith partnerships that have been central to our mission.

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For nearly 30 years, MCC has embodied the principle that true faith is lived through service. Guided by compassion, strengthened by community, and open to all, we remain committed to healing, hope, and humanity.

 

About the Author

Dr. Basheer Ahmed, a former Professor of Psychiatry at the Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, founded the Muslim Community Center for Human Services in 1995. A graduate of Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, he has served MCCHS in numerous volunteer capacities, including Program Director, Medical Director, Executive Director, and Chairman of the Board. His dedication earned him the title of Chairman Emeritus and senior advisor. Dr. Ahmed remains a respected leader and active volunteer in the community.