It was originally co-founded in 1979 by Nuridin Durkee, an American who had converted to Islam; Sahl Kabbani, a Saudi businessman; and Abdullah Omar Nasseef, a former secretary-general of the World Muslim League.

[citation needed] At its height, the community served some 60 students, employed seven full-time teachers, and partially supported itself through resident entrepreneurial efforts.

Although it never fully achieved its original intent as a residential community for American Muslims, it did succeed in remaining viable as an educational facility.

Today it provides religious instruction, retreats and camps for its residents and other Muslims, as well as teaching workshops on Islam for public and private institutions.

[2][4] The mosque and madrasa (religious school) were designed by the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy[5][6] and were constructed of adobe[2][7] by Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order builders.