In the Qur’an it says:
“Allah calls to the House of Peace and guides to the right path whom He wills. Those who do good deeds await a reward, and even more! Their faces will not be covered by darkness or sorrow; they will be residents of Paradise and will dwell therein forever. But those who commit evil deeds await a punishment proportionate to what they have done; they will be overwhelmed by distress, no one will protect them from Allah, their faces will be dark as if parts of the dark night have descended upon them; they will be inhabitants of the Fire, and therein they will dwell forever!” (Yunus: 25–27)
 

We will begin the presentation of the IBECO congregation and organization by noting that the first congregation was established in Mecca by Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), who often operated in the shadows and away from the public eye. The second congregation was established in Medina, serving as a precursor to all later congregations.
 

If we draw parallels in structure, organization, hierarchy, and activities, we will find many similarities with our congregations, as well as some differences shaped by the unique charismatic personality of the Prophet. During the Prophet Muhammad’s time, congregational boards as we know them today did not exist. Modern congregations have an imam who represents the Prophet’s spiritual successor, and the congregation itself, comparable to the companions who provided essential support for the functioning of the congregation (building the mosque, equipping it, maintaining and renovating it), is overseen by a congregational board.
 

The IBECO congregation and organization is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Through its activities and membership, IBECO also serves the city of Vancouver, Washington, which is connected to Portland by a bridge over the Columbia River. According to the latest population data from 2014, Portland has about 619,500 residents, making it the largest city in Oregon and the most populous in the Pacific Northwest. There are 300–400 Bosniak families in Portland, totaling roughly 3,500 people, and in Vancouver, there are about 100–150 Bosniak families, approximately 750 people. IBECO has nearly 200 Bosniak families who regularly pay annual membership fees.

It is not known exactly when the first Bosniaks arrived in Portland and Vancouver, but it is known that during the 1900s many Bosniaks worked in mines and logging in Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

One of these pioneers was the late Šaćir Ovčina, who immigrated to America in 1907, passed away in Portland in 1951, and was buried at Greenwood Hill Cemetery. After the aggression of the Serbo-Chetnik forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, waves of Bosniak refugees (muhajirs) settled in Portland and Vancouver, far from their homeland. The first group of Bosniak families arrived in early 1993. ​Due to the growing need to organize the Bosniak community (maintaining religion, culture, and tradition among children, youth, and adults) and to preserve Bosniaks from complete assimilation, the desire to establish an institution that could safeguard these values became apparent. This led to the founding of the IBECO congregation and organization in Portland, officially launched at the Founding Assembly in early 2002.

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Since its establishment, the IBECO congregation in Portland has grown into one of the more active congregations within the North American Bosniak Islamic Community. From the very beginning of the Board’s work to the present, there have been changes in leadership to ensure the congregation’s growth and stability. Many dedicated and honorable individuals have served on the Board over the years. Between its founding and 2003, the congregation’s activities were modest, including home-based gatherings for mevluds and tevhids, and Jumu’ah prayers held at Arab mosques.

In 2003, Jasmin Huskić moved to Portland and began volunteering (sometimes part-time) as IBECO’s imam. Under his leadership and with the support of the Board and a small group of members, the congregation first rented space on Stark Street for mekteb classes, Jumu’ah, Bayrams, and social gatherings.
 

In 2009, IBECO purchased a property on SE Foster Rd, which was partially renovated to host activities. In 2011, a complete renovation began to improve the facility. On January 1, 2013, IBECO hired Imam Abdulah ef. Polovina full-time. The following year, in 2014, IBECO hosted the 19th North American Bosniak Gathering, during which, with many guests from across North America and special guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the IBECO mosque and Bosniak center were officially opened.
 

IBECO is an active participant in ICNAB activities and one of the most engaged congregations in its region. It continues to maintain its obligations and participates in all initiatives at both the ICNAB and local levels (Medžlis 1 West).