On June 4, 1989, three families from four different countries saw a need to start an Islamic Education Center (IEC) which based itself on the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (may the peace and blessing be upon him) and his Holy Progeny (the Ahlulbait) to help in the Islamic growth of their children themselves and others. No Shia Islamic center existed in the area at the time. As the weekend school grew, the organization moved from a member’s home to a rented office space on Orienta Ave. in Maitland in 1991. Numerous ethnic groups joined to educate their children and develop Muslim friendships and Islamic growth within the community. Much of this is documented in the IEC of Florida’s yearly Eid photo books.
As the central Florida community grew, IEC became a multicultural Shia center in the Orlando area focused on Islamic gatherings which are adult and family orientated. As space was needed, IEC moved into a rented space on Forsyth Street after a stay in a member’s apartment was outgrown quickly.
In 2003, the IEC of Florida purchased nearly 3 areas of land with the donations of local individual Muslims who saw a need for a multicultural, Islamic place of worship. The land was purchased without a loan and the construction of the IEC of Florida at 2221 Harrell Road was done purely with donations from individuals. Construction was started in 2006. Due to the desire to build without a loan, the IEC chose to build in phases, according to the money collected. The building at 2221 Harrell Road was completed in 2009. Various improvement projects have been completed throughout the years, with the desire of increasing the IEC’s goal of providing Islamic education to the future generations of Muslims. The IEC of Florida continues to this day as a center based on the teachings of the Shia school of thought which is based on mercy and tolerance.