Former Richardson church to become Islamic education campus

DALLAS (MNTV) — A former Baptist church campus in Richardson, Texas, is set to become an Islamic education center after Salahuddin Future Academy, affiliated with Authentic Ilm Mission, completed its purchase of the property — part of a broader trend of faith communities repurposing existing buildings.

Authentic Ilm Mission confirmed the academy bought the site at 201 N. Plano Road from Korean World Mission Baptist Church, with Dr. Karim Abu Zaid representing AIM and identifying the academy as the buyer.

The deal followed months of legal conflict: the academy sued the congregation in February to enforce what it called a valid $3.8 million agreement signed on Oct. 31, 2025.

The academy said it had put down $38,000 in earnest money and expected to close in May, but that the church later contested the deal — arguing its pastor did not realize he was signing a sales contract, thought the document concerned a property listing, and lacked authorization from church leadership.

The academy disputed that, saying the sale had been discussed with church officials and the pastor had indicated he was securing approvals, and sought either enforcement of the sale or more than $1 million in damages.

The church responded with a general denial. In April, the academy filed a notice of nonsuit without prejudice, ending the case without a ruling and without stated reason.

With the purchase now complete, the site is slated to become a hub for Islamic learning and community development — one more instance of a former house of worship becoming a center for a different faith community, as demographic change reshapes which congregations are growing and which are selling.