Questions raised over Burlington free clinic’s funding, mosque ties and oversight

Questions about Al-Aqsa Community Clinic have centered on a simple local question: who is accountable when a Burlington free clinic says it serves thousands, relies on donations and mosque support, and operates with no paid staff listed in its public filings?

The clinic, at 1908 S. Mebane St. inside the Burlington Masjid, was founded in February 2009 by Amal Khdour. Its website says the organization is a 501(c)(3), 100% volunteer-run clinic that has provided free service for more than 16 years, treated more than 5,000 patients and worked with more than 40 professionals.

Public tax filings tell a narrower story. ProPublica’s nonprofit records show Al-Aqsa Community Clinic, EIN 26-4640862, reported $33,958 in revenue in 2023 and $9,302 in expenses, with net assets of $140,220 and no liabilities. The filings displayed there also show no paid compensation for Khdour. In 2022, the clinic reported $37,426 in revenue and $31,286 in expenses.

The clinic’s formal ties to the Burlington Masjid are part of its identity and its funding structure. Elon News Network reported in 2025 that Al-Aqsa offers medical exams, lab tests, medications and specialist referrals funded through donations, mosque support and partnerships with local hospitals. The same report said the clinic works with UNC Medical Center, Duke University Hospital and Cone Health, while LabCorp donates lab services and Greensboro Imaging provides free X-rays.

That mosque connection matters in Alamance County, where the Burlington Masjid is the only mosque. Elon News Network reported in 2020 that the mosque serves about 300 Muslim families from 45 nationalities and has faced pushback from critics who did not understand why a mosque was there. For Al-Aqsa, the clinic’s location inside the mosque makes the question of governance and transparency especially relevant to donors, volunteers and patients alike.

The clinic’s reach also has expanded beyond Burlington. Its own site says it is now moving into nutrition support and plans a free dental clinic. Elon University students have been drawn into the effort as well: the Periclean Scholars Class of 2027 raised more than $1,000 this spring for the clinic’s emergency fund, money expected to help buy food and personal care items for the halal food pantry. Earlier Elon coverage also noted students volunteering in the clinic’s pharmacy.

The need is real in Alamance County. A 2024 county health profile put North Carolina’s uninsured rate at 17.9% and the county’s uninsured adult rate at 16.8%. Open Door Clinic of Alamance County also provides free care for uninsured and under-served residents, underscoring how much safety-net medicine depends on trust, records and clear oversight in Burlington.