First Hijrahፈርስት ሂጅራ
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Since 1986

First Hijrah Foundation

ፈርስት ሂጅራ ፋውንዴሽን

The Ethiopian Muslim community of the DMV. Pray with us in Adelphi, on Georgia Avenue in DC, and in Springfield, Virginia.

Today’s prayer times ↓Our story

Prayer times today

 

 

  1. Fajr– 
  2. Sunrise– 
  3. Dhuhr– 
  4. Asr– 
  5. Maghrib– 
  6. Isha– 

 

Springfield, VA holds halaqahs on Friday and Saturday evenings. Details

Full timetable →

Our story ታሪካችን

It began with a funeral

In 1986 a brother from Washington’s Ethiopian Muslim community died and was buried in a non-Muslim cemetery. The community met, formed a foundation, and made its first act a fund so that it would never happen again.

Forty years later the same foundation prays in three places, runs a weekend school with a waiting list, and is paying off a masjid of its own. It took its name from Ethiopia’s oldest gift to Islam: the first hijrah, when the Najashi sheltered the Prophet’s ﷺ companions.

Read the whole story →
  1. 1986Founded as FEMNA after a brother is buried in a non-Muslim cemetery
  2. 1995Renamed First Hijrah Foundation
  3. 1999A 200-person center in Arlington, VA
  4. 2010Buys its Georgia Avenue masjid
  5. TodayFive wooded acres in Adelphi

ቡና Like coffee at home, life here pours three times. The third cup is baraka, the blessing, and nobody leaves before it.

  1. አቦልPrayerAbol, the first cup
  2. ቶናLearningTona, the second cup
  3. በረካServiceBaraka, the third cup, the blessing
A shoe rack overflowing with children’s shoes outside the prayer hall, where rows of Qur’an stands wait on the carpet

Weekend Qur’an school የቅዳሜና እሁድ ትምህርት ቤት

Every weekend, the building fills with children

More than 150 students, first grade through high school, learn Qur’an, Islamic studies and STEM in Adelphi every Saturday and Sunday. Classes are full, and there’s a waiting list.

  • 150+students enrolled
  • Sat & Sunfamilies pick a day
  • Grade 1–12first letters to hifz
Join the waitlist →Sponsor a student

A seat opens faster when the school can hire another teacher. Gifts to the Qur’an school fund pay for teachers and scholarships.

The timber ceiling of the Adelphi prayer hall, rising to its skylight

Debt-free masjid

$910,000+ pledged. Let’s finish it.

This community bought the Adelphi masjid with its own pledges. 88% has come in. The last 12% pays off the debt for good, and every dollar of it is sadaqah jariyah.

Fulfil my pledge →Give another way
“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” At-Tirmidhi

جَزَاكُمُ اللهُ خَيْرًا · ጃዛኩሙላህ ኻይራን

Our services አገልግሎቶች

From the first prayer to the last

Every week በየሳምንቱ

Halaqahs fall between Maghrib and Isha, so the time moves with the sun. All are welcome; no sign-up needed.

  1. Mon & WedQur’an halaqah Br. MohammedAdelphi
  2. Mon & WedWeekly halaqah Shaikh AzamAdelphi
  3. FridaySeerah halaqah Ustaz Mohammed DeguGeorgia Ave
  4. Fri & SatHalaqah Br. Suleiman, Br. Awale, Br. Anwar and Ustaz Mohammed DeguSpringfield
  5. SaturdayQur’anic reflections Br. Ahmed MustefaZoom
  6. FridayYouth night Ages 12 to 25Adelphi
  7. Sat or SunWeekend school Grade 1 to high schoolAdelphi

Watch ቪዲዮዎች

Hear it from the people who built it

Every halaqah is recorded, in English and in Amharic. Miss one, and it’s waiting on the channel.

The Journey of First Hijrah FoundationA legacy of faith, sacrifice and unity, told by the people who built it. 9 minutes, June 2026.
  1. Hadith 26 · Oct 27The Forty HadithSheikh Azam, Mon & Wed, Adelphi
  2. Ayah #4 · Oct 25Unlocking Surah al-FātiḥahBr. Ahmed Mustefa, Saturdays, 3 PM on Zoom
  3. Part 1 · Oct 31Hayat al-Sahaba: Uthman ibn AffanIn Amharic, Weekly
All videos on YouTube →Live streams

Three doors, one community

Halaqah center

Springfield, Virginia

6577 Edsall Rd #4414, Springfield, VA 22151

Jumu’ah
Not held here
Daily prayers
Halaqahs only
Directions →(202) 642-1340
What to expect when you visit →

Before you come

Anything else, write to info@firsthijrah.org.

Which location should I go to?

Adelphi (MD) is the main center, with daily prayers, Jumu’ah at 1:30 PM, the weekend school and youth nights. Georgia Avenue (DC) has daily prayers and two Jumu’ah services. Springfield (VA) holds halaqahs on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Is Jumu’ah in Amharic?

In DC the first Jumu’ah (12:45 PM) is in Amharic and the second (1:45 PM) is in English. Adelphi’s Jumu’ah is at 1:30 PM.

Can non-Muslims visit?

Yes. Our doors are open to everyone. Come before or after a prayer, dress modestly, and someone will be glad to show you around.

Membership አባልነት

This house belongs to its members

First Hijrah has no owner and answers to no outside group. Its members run it.

  • Elect both boards. Trustees and directors are chosen by the membership.
  • Vote at the annual meeting. Renew by February 15 to vote that year.
  • Keep the lights on. Dues pay for the everyday running of three locations.
Become a member →Volunteer instead

Can’t afford the dues this year? Ask quietly; they can be waived.

First Hijrah Foundationፈርስት ሂጅራ ፋውንዴሽንIndividual memberMuslims over 18, citizens or eligible visa holders$80a yearFirst Hijrah Foundationፈርስት ሂጅራ ፋውንዴሽንFamily memberTwo related adults in the same home, children included$120a yearFirst Hijrah Foundationፈርስት ሂጅራ ፋውንዴሽንStudent memberFull-time students aged 18 to 24 in the DC area$25a year

Our sponsors ደጋፊዎቻችን

Put your business behind the house of Allah

Sponsor a program, an Eid or the weekend school, and we thank you here, in front of families from across the DMV.

Become a sponsor →