20 Year History of Muslims in So Cal

Transcription

1995 - 2015
S H U R A C O U N C I L . O R G
CONTENTS
A Message fro m th e Ch ai rman & th e Execu ti ve D i re ct or
lo o k i n g back & fo rgi n g ah ead
H o n o rees
Member O rgan i zati o n s
West Coast Madi n a
Sto ri es
ACCESS California
CAIR-Los Angeles
Chino Valley Islamic Center
Helping Hand for Relief & Development
Indo Chinese Islamic Center
Inglewood Masjid
Fontana
Islamic Center of Inland Empire
Islamic Center of Riverside
Islamic Center of San Diego
Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley
Islamic Center of South Bay
Islamic Community Center of Redlands
Islamic Education Center of Orange County
Islamic Institute of Orange County
Islamic Society of Corona Norco
Islamic Society of Orange County
Islamic Society of Simi Valley
La Mirada Masjid
Los Angeles Latino Muslim Association
Masjid Bilal Islamic Center
Masjid Gibrael
Muslim Mortuary & Cemetery Committee
Muslim Public Affairs Council
Orange County Islamic Foundation
Shia Ithna’Ashari Jamaat of Los Angeles
UMMA Community Clinic
UPLIFT Charity
a history of the muslim community in southern california
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A message from the chairman
and executive director
Assalamu Alaykum:
It is with great joy and profound gratitude to Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala), we present this historical souvenir,
featuring the rich mosaic of Muslim communities in southern California.
We hope you will enjoy reading this and sharing it with your children and grand children.
We pray that the future generations will not only preserve that which exists today but will help it grow even
more, InshaAllah.
Although we tried to cover all the Masajid and Muslim organizations in this souvenir, but could not
because of time constraints and logistical challenges. However, we hope to include the ones we missed
in the next issue and also expand the story of those who are already covered in this edition.
Over the past two decades we have lost many good brothers and sisters and this souvenir attempts to
remind us to remember them in our prayers for their myriad contributions. Let us pray that they be blessed
abundantly.
We also hope this souvenir will help our young generation realize of the pioneers persistence and
perseverance and it’ll inspire them to do their part for the next generation.
After all it is said, “history helps future.”
On behalf of everyone at the Shura Council, we thank all the Masajid and Muslim organizations that gave
their time and memories to make this souvenir richer. And we pray for those who have perished and also
for those who continue to carry on,
It is with many fond memories and infinite hope, we offer this historical souvenir for your pleasure read but
also an important reference for our future.
Let us then, “honor the past, celebrate the present and shape the future.” This journey is more
enjoyable and even more meaningful but only when we travel together.
Wassalam.
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi
Chairman
Shakeel Syed
Executive Director
JAZAKA’ALLAHU KHAYRAN THANK YOU - SHUKRAN
2 0 1 5 M ajli s
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi – Chairman
Sh. Taha Hassane – Vice-Chairman
Imam Jihad Saafir – Secretary
Hafez Hafez – Treasurer
Khalil Dewji – Shia Ithna’Ashari Jamaat of Los Angeles
Khadija Galedary – Los Angeles Latino Muslim Association
Dr. Syed Arif Rizvi – Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley
Dr. Ahmed Soboh – Chino Valley Islamic Center
Hedab Tarifi – Muslim Public Affairs Council
Imam Mustafa Umar – Islamic Institute of Orange County
B an q u et Co m m i t t ee
Khalil Dewji – Shia Ithna’Ashari Jamaat of Los Angeles
Kalim Farooki – Islamic Society of Corona Norco
Masoud Nassimi – Council of American Islamic Relations
Dr. Ahmed Soboh – Chino Valley Islamic Center
Shakeel Syed - Shura Council
Elaine Younes – Shura Council
S taf f
Imam Abu Ishaq Abdul Hafiz – Director, Prison Outreach Program
Kalim Farooki – Development Director
Shakeel Syed – Executive Director
Elaine Younes – Office Manager
Shura Council extends its special thanks to all the volunteers for their extraordinary help and assistance
for making this historical event most enjoyable and memorable.
JAZAKAALLAHU KHAYRAN.
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Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
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Southern California is home to more than half a million Muslims belonging to more than 100 ethnicities
and internationally known Muslim scholars and leaders barely within a fifty-mile radius. Some of them have
left us, such as: Dr. Fathi Osman – renowned scholar and author of over 25 books; Dr. Hassan Hathout – a
medical ethicist and author of “Reading the Muslim Mind” (American Trust Publications; 2005); Dr. Maher
Hathout, a physician, and senior advisor of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and others are battling age
and illnesses, such as: Dr. Ahmad Hussain Sakr – among the founders of the Muslim Student Association
of US & Canada (now known as MSA National) and Imam Haroon Abdullah, one of the senior-most
imams of Warith Deen Mohammed’s community.
LOOKING BACK &
FORGING AHEAD
Southern California Muslims offer a model of working together
It is extremely rare for the press to show up uninvited to any event, let alone to an event that only a handful
knew about. The Muslim leadership of Southern California had decided on the event almost three
months before their meeting on April 20, 1995. The press thought that the Muslim leadership is meeting
in “response” to the tragedy that unfolded a day before on the Alfred Murrah building, now known as the
Oklahoma City bombing. For once, we had to request the press to leave. They were looking for news that
we could not provide at the time.
This first “formal” meeting was the culmination of scores of informal meetings held across three years
between groups of activists. Their goal was singular and simple; “to bring the diverse Muslim leadership
on one table at the same time.” And that did happen on the fateful day of April 20, 1995.
As the adage goes, the rest is history, good history, making Shura Council a blossoming 20 year old in the
year 2015.
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Over the last two decades, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California has been led by Imam Haroon
Abdullah, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi – president of the Fiqh Council of North America and a former ISNA
president; Dr. Yahia Abdur-Rahman, founder of the La Riba banking and the late Dr. Maher Hathout.
During this period, the Shura Council has fostered the spirit of “working together” among all the community
stakeholders, which has broadened their understanding toward each another and deepened their
relationships. And together, they continue to serve more than 120 mosques and Muslim organizations
in southern California. Equally importantly, the Shura Council has also helped the leaders and the
communities transcend their madahib and other preferences to work together for the common good.
Over the last twenty years, the Shura Council has built working relations with many faith communities and
also with socio-civic, and political leaders. In addition, the Shura Council is also part of several coalitions
and has built alliances with a host of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community based
organizations (CBOs) and government agencies.
The Shura Council has designated a once yearly “Open Mosque Day” when many of its member mosques
open their doors to all of southern California and host hundreds to thousands of people of all faiths and
persuasions. The Los Angeles Times and several other area newspapers amply cover this annual event.
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The Shura Council has now embarked on a multi-year project to help its member mosques to enhance
their services through the Masjid Operations Manual (M.O.M). The production of this manual, an
outcome of years long study of varied mosques’ operating models, is best suited for any sized mosque. It
is designed in a modular format, comprising five modules: governance, policies, operations, programs
and safety/security.
The Shura Council’s Prison Outreach Program (P.O.P.) is yet another of its flagship services. The P.O.P.
offers educational products and services to the incarcerated. It also counsels the prison systems
regarding the Muslim inmates’ unique needs. Over the last two years, the Shura Council has successfully
campaigned and secured the rights of the Muslim inmates in the Los Angeles County Jail, the largest in
the nation. For the first time ever, the Jail now serves halal meals to Muslim inmates and also allows them
to congregate for Friday prayers.
The Shura Council membership elects a nine person Majlis, the executive council, which in turn selects a
chairperson who appoints a vice chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer. The Shura Council’s operation
are led by its executive director who is supported with a team that includes Elaine Younes – office manager;
Kalim Farooki – development director, and Imam Abdul Hafiz, director of the P.O.P.
The Shura Council’s mandate is rooted in the Qur’anic injunction: “Those who hearken to their Lord,
and establish regular Prayer and conduct their affairs by mutual Consultation; and give of what We have
provided them; (42:38).
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HONOREEs
The Islamic Shura Council is pleased to recognize the following honorees for their more than two decades
of association with the Shura Council, serving as a member of the founding Steering Committee or as a
Majlis member or as a Volunteer.
We ask Allah (subhanahu Ta’ala) to reward them and their families for their myriad contributions to the
Muslim communities of Southern California and also to the Islamic Shura Council.
The affiliations shown are from the time of their initial association with Shura Council.
The
the time
of their initialAffiliation
association with Shura Council.
Firaffiliations
st Nameshown are fromLast
Name
Abd ul Karim
Afz ar
Ahmad
Ahme d
Aiman
Ame e n
As hraf
As lam
At e f
At iq
Bas hir
Daud
E d ina
Faiz
Fat hy
Gad d o o r
Ghane m
Har o o n
Haro o n
He lie
Id r is
Jave d Hame e d
Has an
Nas o o rd e e n
S akr
Az am
Ahdab
O mar
Ibrahim
Abd ullah
He lmy
S id iqi
Kabt i
Mo mand
Le kovic
Ali- S hah
H ag gag
S aid i
Jumaili
Par e kh
Abd ullah
Naz ar z ai
Traina
Khan
Mas jid Bilal
Mas jid Ans ar
Is lamic E d uc at io n C en ter
Is lamic C e nt e r of H aw th or n e
Is lamic Ins t it ut e of Or a n g e C ou n ty
Mas jid al- S hareef
C AIR Lo s Ange le s
Is lamic C e nt e r of S ou th er n C a l i f or n i a
Mus lim Ame r ic an S oc i ety
Mas jid Qur t ubah
Is lamic C e nt e r of C l a r em on t
S hur a C o unc il W eb S erv i c es
MPAC
Ar - R ahman Is lam i c C en ter
Is lamic E d uc at ion C en ter
Mus lim Arab Yo u th A s s oc i ati on
Is lamic C e nt e r of C l a r em on t
Is lamic C e nt e r of S a n Ga b r i el Va l l ey
Mas jid al- S hareef
S hur a C o unc il Ad m i n i s tr ati on
Is lamic C e nt e r of H aw th or n e
Is lamic C e nt e r of S a n Ga b r i el Va l l ey
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HONOREEs
Fi rs t Nam e
Last Name
A ffiliatio n
Ka l i m
Kh ali l
Maher
Ma h m o u d
Ma h m o u d
Malek
M a s o od
M oazzam
M o h amme d Abd ul
Mu ne e b
Mu s tafa
M u zammi l
Naeem
N a im
Q a is ar
R a fe
R ia z
Saddiq
S a id e
Samer
S ay e d Mou sta fa
S h ak e e l
Sherrel
S o phi a
Sy e d M o r tada
Taw f i q
U kl ah
Ya hi a
Ya ss e r
Zaher
Farook i
Moman d
H at h out
H armous h
Mous avi
B en d el h oum
N as s i mi
D h an an i
Al eem
Mal i k
Ku ko
S i d d i qi
S al eemi
S h ah J r.
Syed
H us s ai n
Ch au d h ry
S aaf i r
K h an
S ou b ra
Al- Qazwi ni
Syed
J oh n s on
Moman d
Al- Qazwi ni
D eek
Al- H ayek
Ab d ur Rahm a n
Aman
Azzawi
Isla m ic So ciety o f Co ro na No rc o
Isla m ic Ce nter o f So uth Bay
Isla m ic Center o f So uthern Calif o r nia
Shura Co uncil A dm inistratio n
M a sjid a n-Na bi
Shura Co uncil O utreach Co o rd inat o r
CA IR Lo s A nge le s
Isla m ic Center o f Cla re m o nt
Isla m icity
Isla m iCity
Isla m ic Ce nter o f Riverside
Isla m ic So ciety o f O ra nge Co un t y
M a sjid Iba a dilla h
Isla m ic Center o f Sa n Ga briel Valle y
Isla m ic So cie ty o f O ra nge Co un t y
M a sjid Iba a dilla h
Isla m ic Institute o f O ra nge Count y
Isla m ic So cie ty Co ro na No rco
CA IR Lo s A ngele s
Isla m ic Ce nter o f So uth Bay
M a sjid A hl a l-Bayt
M a sjid A l-A nsa r
M uslim A ra b Yo uth A sso ciatio n
M a sjid a l-Fatiha & La Riba
UM M A Co m m unity Clinic
Isla m ic Ce nter o f Cla re m o nt
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MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
The Islamic Shura Council thanks all the members and their respective congregations and communities
for their valuable service for the common and the greater good of Muslim communities in Southern
California.
Access California Services
Ahlul-Beyt Mosque
Al-Nur Islamic Center
Al-Shifa Clinic
Al-Umma Center of Santa Clarita Valley
Bayan Claremont
CAIR-LA
Cham American Muslim Comm/Masjid Sabireen
Chino Valley Islamic Center
Dar-Ul-Ilm/Inst. of Knowledge
HADI/IslamiCity
Helping Hand for Relief & Development
Islamic center of Claremont
Islamic center of Conejo Valley
Islamic center of Glendale
Islamic center of Hawthorne
Islamic center of Inland Empire
Islamic center of Irvine
Islamic center of Northridge (Granda Hills)
Islamic center of Reseda
Islamic center of Riverside
Islamic center of San Diego
Islamic center of San Gabriel Valley
Islamic center of Santa Clarita Valley
Islamic center of South Bay-LA (Masjid Al-Noor)
Islamic center of Southern Calif.
Islamic center of Temecula Valley
Islamic center of Yorba Linda
Islamic community center of Redlands
Islamic Society of Corona-Norco
Islamic Society of North County (Escondido)
Islamic Society of Orange County
ICNA Relief
ICNA So Cal
Indo Chinese Islamic Center
IQRA Academy of Palos Verdes
Islamic Education Center (Walnut)
Islamic Institute of Orange County
Islamic Relief USA
Jafaria Islamic Society
LALMA
Long Beach Islamic Center
Masjid Al-Hedayah
Masjid Al-Shareef
Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah
Masjid Gibrael
Masjid Ibaadillah
Masjid Qurtubah
Masjidul Taqwa - San Diego
MIFNA
MPAC
MSA-West
Muslim American Society Greater LA
Muslim Community Services - La Mirada
Muslim Legal Fund of Amercia
Muslim Mortuary & Cemetery Committee
New Dimensions Community Service
Orange County Islamic Foundation
SABA Homes
Sahaba Initiative
SIIJLA
Thai Muslim Community of USA
UMMA Community Clinic
UPLIFT Charity
West Coast Islamic Society
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COVER STORY
THEWEST COAST
MADINA
How Muslims pioneers founded a unique
community in Southern California,
sprouting a ‘Gold Rush’ of believers.
W
BY SHAKEEL SYED AND ABDUSSALAM MOHAMED
hen Spanish Conquistadors
invaded Mexico’s western Pacific
coast and expropriated it from its
native owners, they knew they had
stumbled onto the land of milk and
honey. Since they thought they had
discovered a huge island, they
christened it “California” or “The Peninsula” after
a fictional island peopled by pagan Amazons. From
San Diego in the south to San Francisco in the
north, the new landlords built missions and settlements throughout the state, baptizing its cities with
names of Catholic saints. The Spaniards sought to
plunder the natural wealth of the land they colonized, but they also brought their faith, Christianity,
which they attempted to force on the locals with the
might of the sword. Once the U.S. appropriated
California from Mexico and gold was
discovered in 1848, hordes of mainly
Friday is more
than a day
European settlers converged on the
of prayer. At
Golden State, also seeking fortune and the Riverside
Mosque it is
immortality.
also a day to
Almost 300 years after the Conquista- meet and
trade.
dors, another faith started to seek its
rightful place among the predominantly
Anglo-Saxon Christian community of Los Angeles.
Unlike the Conquistadors, those who brought this
new faith were peaceful new immigrants, mainly
from the Asian continent and the Middle East, who
came to the land either to pursue a higher education
»
or achieve the American dream.
18 ISLAMIC HORIZONS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 ISLAMIC HORIZONS 19
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PHOTO BY PABLO SANTIAGO
COVER STORY
(clockwise from far left) Congregants pray at the Islamic Education Center of Orange County;
The community enjoys access to many mosques including the landmark King Fahd Mosque
and the Bilal Learning Center (top right); Learning has its rewards; a smiling Dua Kuko
displays her Quran learning award; (bottom) ILM Foundation extends help to all needy.
O
n an auspicious day in 1952,
a small group of approximately 400 Muslims gathered in a rented hall on
Fountain Avenue and celebrated perhaps the first Eid
al-Fitr in California. They
pitched in and collected
$3,000. The sum was considerable at the time, and the cause it was
meant for was noble. The money was a
down payment toward the purchase of a
modest house that would accommodate no
less than fifty worshippers. The house was
located on City Terrace Drive in Los Angeles. On Jan. 14, 1957, under the presidency
of an Albanian Muslim, Dr. Salih Alich,
the pioneers were able to establish the first
mosque in California.
Years went by and the community
grew. The growth forced the burgeoning
Muslim community to seek a bigger spiritual haven. It was not until the late 1960s
that another property was purchased on
Saint Andrews Street. As the community
grew even further, the faithful were forced
to raise funds once again, and this time
they were able to buy a new property on
Vermont Avenue in close proximity to
downtown Los Angeles. The property is
Numbering nearly 1.5 million, Muslims are
unevenly spread across the state. Southern
California is home to nearly 500,000.
the current location of the now famous Islamic Center of Southern California.
California is the fourth most powerful
economy in the world, the third largest
state of the union—smaller only than Texas
and Alaska—and the most populous state.
It is known for its pristine coastline, sunny
weather, snowy mountain peaks, and myriad tourist destinations, such as Yosemite,
Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, and Disneyland. The Golden State’s natural beauty,
however, has its flaws. The state is peppered with earthquake fault lines; the most
notorious of which is the San Andreas Fault
that slashes across the state from north to
south. Moreover, Los Angeles, Bakersfield,
and Fresno are ranked among the ten
smoggiest cities in the country.
According to the Census Bureau (2000),
California is officially no longer predominantly Anglo-Saxon, due mainly to the influx of immigrants from Mexico and Latin
America who enjoy a high birth rate. The
slight majority gives Latinos the ethnic edge
and lends credence to the metropolitan
city’s fame as a true “melting pot.” No matter what race, color, or national origin a person may be, in LA everyone feels at home.
Muslim Americans account for just a
fraction of the state’s population. Numbering nearly 1.5 million, Muslims are unevenly spread across the state. Southern
California is home to nearly 500,000. Muslims from South Asia and the Middle East
make up the majority of the community’s
ethnic mix. Among South Asians, Muslims
from Pakistan and India are the majority.
There are also Cham Muslims who settled
in Orange County after fleeing Cambodia
and Vietnam; they are mainly concentrated in Santa Ana, a few miles south of Anaheim. In spite of their modest means, the
Cham are a proud people who dedicate
their lives to their faith and strive hard to
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raise their children in a virulently non-Islamic environment. All Cham elders are
survivors of the Killing Fields—the genocide perpetrated by Pol Pot and his criminal Khmer Rouge—which claimed the
lives of over one million Muslims in Cambodia. [Read more about the Cham in
America, pages 46]
Worship & Beyond. Home to over
170,000 Muslims, Orange County boasts 14
mosques—8 of which are major structures
with domes and minarets. More than 60 Islamic centers and groups within Southern
California are united under the umbrella of
the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California. The Council is headed by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, an internationally known
scholar, who is also the director of the Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden
Grove; chair of the Fiqh Council of North
America; and a former ISNA president.
Within Orange County,
the city of Anaheim has
been dubbed little Arabia
for its predominantly Arab
population. The city is also
home to the Islamic Institute of Orange County,
known as Omar Al Farouq
Mosque. After four years of construction
that started in July 2001, the Masjid was recently completed and a 38-foot tall and
49,000 lb. minaret hoisted atop its magnificent structure. Beautifully ornamented in a
1,200 year-old-pattern created from Moroccan tiles, this $5 million facility is a notable
addition to the county’s rich architectural
landscape.
Adjacent to the west part of Anaheim,
the city of Garden Grove houses one of the
largest mosques in the country. The center,
legally registered as the Islamic Society of
Orange County, is popularly known as the
Garden Grove Masjid or Masjid Ar-Rahman, and predominantly caters to the Middle Eastern and South Asian communities.
Masjid Ar-Rahman sits on a more than 5acre lot that is also home to one of the largest
full-time Islamic schools in the country. The
Orange Crescent Islamic School accommodates over 600 students from pre-K to 8th
grade. Muslim families own almost all the
homes in the masjid’s vicinity. Friday prayers
attract over a thousand congregants who
huddle within the beautiful house of worship
to seek spiritual sanctuary. The masjid is also very lively and active on weekends. It hosts
many programs, including Arabic and
Quran classes, training workshops, and interfaith dialogue conferences. Many young
people use the full size outdoor basketball
court to let off steam, while others use the adjacent city-owned soccer field. The masjid’s
library is often frequented by community
members and non-Muslims neighbors. Eid
prayers at Masjid Ar-Rahman usually draw
well over 20,000 Muslims from the greater
Orange County area.
Community leaders also established a
“Muslims only” section within a very large
cemetery in the city of Garden Grove. The
burial lot is made available to all families
from Southern California so that they can
perform proper Islamic burials.
Further down south is Mission Viejo,
home of the Orange County Islamic Foundation. The relatively new building, known
as the Mission Viejo Masjid, also operates a
school, Al-Ridah Academy. Incorporated in
1995, this community caters to a wide spectrum of ethnicities hailing from Eritrea,
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COVER STORY
Palestine, East Asia, and a growing indigenous revert population. The Masjid is headed by Imam Yassir Fazaga who is also president of the Eritrean Muslim Council and a
graduate in Islamic Studies from Imam
Saud University in Fairfax, VA. In 1989,
the Foundation merged with the Islamic
Center of Saddleback Valley. The masjid is
unique in many ways. Its contributions are
many but most notable are community-outreach programs, such as Common
Ground, a Christian-Muslim-Jewish dialogue interfaith group. Following the recent London tragedy
on July 7, 2005, the masjid hosted
some of Los Angeles’ most popular
talk show hosts, John and Ken of
KFI 640 AM, an ABC affiliate radio
station. Hundreds of Muslim Americans and Americans of other faiths
from the neighborhood participated in a spirited, four-hour long, live
broadcast heard by millions of
Southern Californians. In August
2005, the masjid was also featured
on NBC’s “Today Show” in a program about youth spirituality in
America. It was also mentioned in a
“Newsweek” magazine article entitled “Islam: A New Welcoming Spirit in the Mosque.”
A few miles north along the
coastline, not far from Mission
Viejo, the city of Costa Mesa is home
to the Islamic Educational Center of Orange
County (IECOC), which had its beginning
in Sept. 1996 in a small rented building in
Irvine, a neighboring city. Within 2 years,
the community outgrew the facility and purchased a new, larger location in Costa Mesa
for $1 million. The new center was inaugurated during Ramadan 1999. Currently,
and as the community continues to grow,
plans are afoot to acquire either a few adjacent structures or move the entire center to a
new facility. The community’s goal is to establish a full-time pre-K through sixth grade
Islamic school and a larger prayer area,
along with a multipurpose hall and a recreational youth center. IECOC is headed by
Imam Sayyid Moustafa Al-Qazwini, who
hails from a family of scholars from the historical city of Karbala, Iraq. Under Sayyid
Qazwini’s leadership, the center offers
many programs for young people and also
for the non-Muslim community.
Anaheim’s West Coast Islamic Center,
also known as Masjid Al-Ansar, is frequented by a predominately Arabic-speaking congregation. On the outside, the $1 million
building looks like an ordinary warehouse,
but within its walls is a lushly carpeted
masjid with a sparkling marble and granite
floor. The center is headed by a dedicated
team under the leadership of Tawfiq Deek
and Shaikh Mustafa. The masjid’s full-time
AREA RESOURCES
The Muslim community has access to a wealth of scholars and leaders, including
(counterclockwise from below), Imam Sayyid Mustafa Qazwwini, Islamic
Education Center; Shakeel Syed, executive director, Islamic Shura Council of
Southern California; Khalil Momand, South Bay Center; Dr. Attef Helmy; the
indefatigable ISNA Convention chair Abdul-Wahab; Imam Abdul Karim Hassan,
president, Bilal Learning Center; Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, chairman, the Islamic
Shura Council of Southern California; Dr. Sadegh Namazeh, president, IMAN
Center; Dr. Ahmed Sakr, director, Islamic Education Center; Dr. Mustafa Kuko,
director, Islamic Center of Riverside
school enrolls about one hundred students,
while an additional 60 students attend the
Center’s Qur’an classes three times a week.
In March 1979, a group of Muslim students at the University of California at
Riverside rented a three-bedroom house
and turned it into a temporary masjid. Just a
few months later, they were able to buy a 4acre lot and build what is now considered
the first masjid with a minaret in California.
At the time, only about 150 people attended
Friday prayer. Today, Riverside—located
approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles—is a bustling vibrant community comprising no fewer than 200 families. Dr.
Mustafa Kuko, a Sudanese born imam and
one of the pioneering members, is the
masjid’s current director and president.
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Since 1989, this masjid has run a full time Islamic school with almost one hundred students from preschool through 8th grade. The
school offers the regular school district curriculum, as well as Arabic and Islam supplemental classes.
C
ulver City, west of Los Angeles,
sprouted a dif ferent landmark in 1999, the King Fahd
Mosque, a sumptuous and elegant structure that towers over
the city. The gracefully domed
structure, laid with marble awnings and decorated with Turkish tile patterns, has a history that began long before (now late) King
Fahd’s generous donation—estimated to be
more than $8 million. Like many other
THIS PAGE: SECOND, BOTTOM ROW AND MASJID IBN AL KHATTAB PHOTOS BY CHARLEY GALLAY;
THIRD, BOTTOM ROW PHOTO BY FAWAD YACOOB; (OPPOSITE PAGE) SECOND FROM FAR TOP BY CHARLEY GALLAY
masajid, this center began in the early 1980s
in an apartment. It was then known as the
Muslim Student House located on Sepulveda Blvd. It relocated three times before finally settling in a house on Venice Blvd near the
405 Freeway. The masjid was then named
the Ibn Taimiyah Foundation. Unlike
many other masajid in Southern California, King Fahd Masjid does not operate an
Islamic school, nor does it offer any Islamic activities. The community wants more
activities, especially since the center owns a
vacant structure next door. The new
administration has promised worshippers
swift change in the form of daily talks and
weekend classes in the near future.
After moving to Southern California in
the late 1980s from Chicago, Dr. Ahmed
nent universities and various
schools and colleges in Southern California. The Islamic
Center of Irvine is located in a
corporate business complex
and managed by a Board
comprising young men and
women. ICOI arranges several activities with MSA-Irvine
Valley College, as well as with
its neighboring New Horizon
School—one of the four campuses sprinkled around the
Greater Los Angeles area.
Established in 1985, Masjid
Ibaadillah has grown into one
of the most respected
mosques in Southern California. The masjid, which has
operated a free food program
since 1993, distributes on
average 500 meals per month
to working families within the
immediate Jefferson Park
Community. The masjid’s
director, Imam Saafir, is also
active in interfaith work and is
(left) Masjid Omar Ibn Al Khattab,
the cofounder of the ILM
located near the University of
(Intellect, Love & Mercy)
Southern California (USC), formally
opened its doors on Jan. 21, 1994,
Foundation, whose objective
in time for Ramadan of 1414 H.
is to spread da’wah and the
The masjid was the first purposepropagation of Islamic literabuilt masjid in Los Angeles.
ture.
About 50 miles north of Los
Angeles is Newbury Park,
where the Islamic Center of
Conejo Valley was first established in the home of a community member in 1987.
Since then it has grown to
become the largest Islamic
center in Ventura County
with over 300 active families.
The Center had its humble
beginnings in the early 1980s
in a garage in the neighboring town of Agoura. It then
moved to a rented church
Sakr—the famed pioneer of the Muslim and then later to a large leased warehouse.
Students Association of the U.S. & Canada, Its final home is a two-acre lot crowned by
now known as MSA-National—founded the a 4800 square foot masjid.
Islamic Education Center. Its mission was
Established in 1991, the Islamic Society
simple and noble: to offer Islamic educa- of Corona/Norco (ISCN) recently inaugutional classes to new Muslims and interfaith rated its new 6,800 square feet center in the
families. The masjid caters to the needs of a first of a three-phase project that will culmirelatively small community, mainly from nate in a 32,250 sq. ft. facility. In 1994, comSouth Asia. The IEC—modestly housed in a munity members moved into a leased space
business complex in the city of Walnut— in a business area, and it was not until
constantly receives requests soliciting Dr. Ramadan of 1997 that they finally bought a
Sakr’s scholarly authority, speaking skills, 2.3-acre house under foreclosure from a
and family counseling expertise.
bank. The property value, however, had
The Islamic Center of Irvine is blessed appreciated so much that it no longer made
with a young and active Imam and Director sense to destroy the house and pool to build
of Religious Affairs Saadullah Khan. Edu- a mosque. In September 1999, the Masjid
cated in Islamic law and at Egypt’s Al-Azhar Board sold the house and bought land locatUniversity, Khan often lectures at promi- ed across from the city’s largest park. They
17
COVER STORY
believe that, in view of the community’s
growth trend, the center, scheduled for
completion in 2005, will be sufficient to fulfill their needs for years to come.
The Islamic Center of Hawthorne
(ICH), incorporated in California in March
1995, operates a vibrant, active mosque, a
full-time Islamic school, and a weekend
school. Located five miles from the Los
Angeles International Airport, ICH serves a
diverse community in the Greater Los
Angeles County. In 2002, ICH purchased a
neighboring property to house its Islamic
school, which opened in Sept. 1998 with
only 31 students. The new premises—built
at the cost $1 million from the community’s
own resources—are now being used to full
capacity. The masjid operations are led by
an active group of community members
and a full time resident scholar.
O
n Jan. 21, 1994, in time for
Ramadan of 1414 H, Masjid
Omar Ibn Al Khattab, located
in close proximity of the University of Southern California
(USC), formally opened its
doors. The masjid was the culmination of
over 15 years of hard work by hundreds of
volunteers to establish the first purpose-
built masjid in Los Angeles. The land was
bequeathed in 1977 by a mother who fell ill
and passed away while visiting her children
studying at USC. Her good deed was followed in turn by donations from numerous
Muslim philanthropists, who wanted to see
the masjid built on that lot. The masjid is
located near the museum of Exposition Park
and the city’s civic, social, cultural, and educational centers. The Omar Ibn Al-Khattab
Masjid Foundation has a vibrant outreach
program that brings together many prominent academics from the neighboring campuses of USC and UCLA, among others.
Dr. Fathi Osman, a prolific writer and inter-
More than 60 Islamic centers and groups are united under the
Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, established in
October 1995. (from left) Imam Haroon Abdullah, (now late)
Adam Bholat, Jan Diwan, Imam Saadiq Saafir, Dr. Muzammil
Siddiqi, Sayyid Mortada Qazwini, and Dr. Maher Hathout.
Diverse Muslim communities unite to serve their faith and neighbors.
HEARTS ENTWINED
BY SHAKEEL SYED
t is extremely rare for the press
to show up uninvited at any
event, let alone an event that
only a handful knew about. On
April 20, 1995, when Muslim leadership of Southern California convened
at a pre-planned meeting, the press
thought the event was in response to
the tragedy that unfolded the day
before at the Alfred Murrah building now famously known as the Oklahoma City bombing.
In actuality, this meeting was the
culmination of more than one hundred
informal meetings, spread over three
years, between different groups of
activists. The goal was singular and
simple: “To bring the diverse Muslim
leadership to one table at the same
time.” On April 20, 1995, that goal
was achieved, and the Islamic Shura
I
Council of Southern California was
formed. As the adage goes, the rest is
history...good history in this case!
Southern California is home to more
than half a million Muslims from over
50 different ethnicities. It is also home
to many internationally known Muslim
scholars and leaders, including
Dr. Ahmad Hussain Sakr (founder of the
Muslim Student Association of the U.S.
& Canada (MSA)); Dr. Fathi Osman
(renowned scholar and author of over
25 books); Dr. Hassan Hathout (medical
ethicist and author of “Reading the
Muslim Mind”—American Trust Publications, 1995); Dr. Maher Hathout
(senior advisor to MPAC); and Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi (president of the Fiqh
Council of North America and former
ISNA president).
Over the past decade, the Islamic
Shura Council of Southern California has
sustained itself despite the natural challenges posed by a large community with
over 80 masajid and Muslim organizations and a diverse leadership. The
Council takes special pride in this diversity and considers it a great achievement to bring together under one
umbrella the “broadest representation
of various madhahib.”
The Shura Council’s motivation and
commitment stems from the Qur’anic
injunction: “Those who hearken to their
Lord, and establish regular Prayer and
conduct their affairs by mutual consultation; and give of what We have provided them” (42:38).
The Shura Council membership
elects a nine person Majlis, an Executive Council that in turn selects a chairperson, who then appoints a vicechairperson and a secretary. The full
time executive director, along with a
dedicated team of volunteers, oversees governance. The Shura Council
is a member of many coalitions and
has also built alliances with a host of
non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), community based organizations (CBOs), interfaith groups, and
government agencies.
The Shura Council has designated
a series of annual events. The annual
Ramadan Iftar attracts over four hundred interfaith, clergy, socio-civic, and
political leaders. On Open Mosque
Day, mosques open their doors to the
wider Southern California community.
The 2005 Open Mosque Day attracted
thousands of people and was covered
by the “The Los Angeles Times”.
When asked of the Shura Council’s
aspirations, Dr. Siddiqi, its current
chairperson, refers to the Council’s
mission statement, “To be the leading
organization for unity and excellence.”
The Majlis: Dr. Atef Helmy (Orange
County Islamic Foundation),
Mohammed Abdul Aleem (HADI),
Dr. Mustafa Kuko (Masjid Riverside),
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi (chairman,
Shura Council and director, Islamic
Society of Orange County), Imam
Saadiq Saafir (vice-chairman, Shura
Council and imam, Masjid Ibaadillah),
Saide Khan (Islamic Education Center
of Orange County), Sherrel Johnson
(CAIR), Tawfiq Deek (Masjid Al
Ansar), and Dr. Zaher Azzawi (Islamic
Center of Claremont).
Head Office:
Executive Director: Shakeel Syed
Facilitator: Kalim Farooki
Secretary: Massoud Nassimi
Treasurer: Fathy Haggag
Co-Treasurer: Naim Shah, Jr.
Webmaster: Daud Momand
Administrative Assistant: Helie
Nazarzai
18
tionally respected scholar, offers occasional
educational seminars at the masjid.
Imam Abdul Karim Hassan named his
religious hub the Bilal Learning Center
because he firmly believes that Islam is a
religion for all people. This modest Islamic center is located on a historic site in the
heart of downtown Los Angeles near USC.
Imam Hassan came to the faith through
the Nation of Islam after his mother settled
in Hartford, CT and embraced the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. NoI rewarded
Minister Hassan’s accomplishment of
opening two temples in the state by assigning him a new mission: to open a temple in
South Central Los Angeles. In 1971, the
Minister dropped anchor on Broadway
Street, not far from his current Bilal Center. Besides the temple, he also started the
University of Islam School (also known as
Sister Clara Muhammad School) and
began educating his community. The temple served 400 families at the time but was
not big enough for the ever-expanding
community, so Minister Hassan organized
a fundraiser and bought the building
where the Bilal Learning Center stands
today. In 1975, Imam joined mainstream
As the Muslim community continues to
grow and expand throughout Southern
California, so do its myriad needs.
Islam with Imam W.D. Mohammed and
renamed his temple the Bilal Learning
Center, welcoming both Muslim and nonMuslim students. A firm proponent of education, Imam Hassan believes that Islam
“grows from propagation and not immigration.” Out of the 10 percent of nonMuslim students who attended the school,
90 percent of their parents embraced
Islam. Presently, apart from the mosque
that is open for daily prayers, the Bilal
Learning Center is officially closed while
its school is being rebuilt. The building
that used to house the school was torn
down because it was not earthquake safe.
In 2000, it received more than $1 million in
donations and is now near completion.
The Islamic Center of the South Bay
(ICSB) was established in 1982 by a group of
families living in the South Bay area of
Southern California. The initial programs
were conducted at a community center and
later in a rented room in the YMCA of the
city of Torrance. The community made
another move to the Hermosa Beach Community Center before purchasing the present property in Lomita in 1985. The center
continues to grow. In 1988 an adjoining
6,000 sq. ft. lot was purchased, and the
newest addition was the July 2002 purchase
of another adjoining 25,000 sq, ft. lot.
Going north into the Los Angeles County area—also known as the San Fernando
Valley—the Islamic Center of Reseda is
housed on a campus, amidst an amalgam of
modest buildings. Its prayer hall is over one
thousand square feet in size, and it also has a
two-story structure that serves as a weekend
school, as well as a small library. The energetic Muslim American Society youth group
19
COVER STORY
nization, and Nicole Ballivian, public relations officer, who brings ten years of successful experience in the education and outreach fields within the Spanish-speaking
community. LALMA is a very resourceful
organization whose members include
UCLA faculty and educated professionals.
Its fifty Muslim members are originally
from Latin American countries, including
Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico. LALMA actively reaches out to the
Latino community and other minority
groups at several area universities.
An embracing community welcomes everyone, offering activities that
interest all ages and all groups. (left) The Islamic Center of Hawthorne’s
visitor guides welcome neighbors.
operates primarily out of the San Fernando
Valley area and uses the Reseda Masjid as its
base. The MAS youth group also organizes
frequent youth camps, learning and training
programs, and an annual youth basketball
championship competition for all of Southern California’s masajid.
In West Los Angeles, the IMAN (Iranian Muslim Association of North America)
Center stands as a testament to human triumph over tragedy. It was born out of an
act of pure faith by Dr. Sadegh
Namazekhah, an Iranian emigrant, who
also serves as president of the Los Angeles
Dental Society. Dr. Namazekhah was
inspired by the tragic loss his 17-year-old
daughter, who was misdiagnosed with cancer. The center grew from a private study
circle to a community-based center that
caters mainly to thousands of Iranian
Americans. IMAN has two major buildings. On one side, it looks like a replica of
the Persepolis, the Persian castle burned
by Alexander the Great, and on the other
side, it bears the marks of Islamic architecture, reflecting the community’s cultural
and religious identities. “IMAN” is also
the name of the center’s slick quarterly
PHOTOS BY CHARLEY GALLAY: LEFT TOP AND OPPOSITE PAGE
20
magazine with a circulation of 15,000
copies, which propagates Islamic values
and educates about the Iranian culture
and heritage.
Latino Muslims. According to the
2000 National Census, over 12 percent of
the U.S. population is Latino. Spanish is
currently the primary language of 42 percent of the population in Los Angeles. The
city of Santa Ana alone has the largest
Spanish-speaking population in the U.S. at
74 percent.
In September 1999, a group of five Los
Angeles Latino Muslims decided to form a
study group to learn more about Islam in
Spanish. What began as a Sunday study
group grew into the Los Angeles Latino
Muslims Association (LALMA). LALMA is
behind the Latin community’s current
interest in Islam, ranging from walk-ups to
neighborhood mosques to referrals by Muslim friends and families. Introductory classes for non-Muslims as well as new Muslims
are part of the curriculum, responding to
the growing interest in Islam.
At the current core of LALMA are Marta Khadija Galedary, president of the orga-
Serving Humanity. The plight of
the poor and medically underserved in
South Central Los Angeles prompted
UCLA graduate and medical students, in
collaboration with Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine, to launch the University Muslim Medical Association
(UMMA) in 1990. With administrative and
logistical support from UCLA, Drew, and
L.A. City Council Member Rita Walters,
UMMA secured a grant of $1.3 million to
fulfill its vision.
Open since 1996, the clinic was established by UMMA as a vehicle for the Muslim
community, as well as people from all backgrounds, to provide medical services to the
public at large. The organization, a nonprofit tax-exempt entity, works in cooperation with a multitude of institutions and
organizations to achieve its noble goals.
More than 90 percent of UMMA’s
patients live within a three-mile radius. The
clinic receives an average of 170 patients per
week and has a patient population of nearly
10,000 individuals who have logged about
21,000 visits. Eighty-five percent of the clinic’s patients live below the federal poverty
level. 52 percent of the patients are Latino;
40 percent African-American; 5 percent
Asian/Pacific Islanders; and the rest are
whites and others.
The clinic is also partnering with UCLA
and Drew medical school to complete a first
of its kind research study on breast cancer
among Muslim women. The effort is being
supported by a generous grant by the Susan
G. Komen Foundation. The research will
specifically benefit Muslim women, who are
40 years or older and are African-American,
South Asian, Arab, or Iranian.
Education. Founded as a preschool in
1984 by the Islamic Center of Southern California, New Horizons School has now
branched out to three additional locations:
West Los Angeles, Irvine, and Pasadena.
The New Horizon School system is committed to providing students with excellent academic training and firm grounding in moral
and ethical values. It also fosters a dedication to God through virtuous living in a pro-
gressive Islamic environment. All four campuses average one hundred students from
pre-K to 5th and 6th grades.
Established in 1983, Orange Crescent
School sits on the campus of the Islamic
Society of Orange County and is considered the largest Islamic school in Southern
California. The school offers a balanced
academic program, along with adequate
emphasis on comprehensive Islamic Studies. There are over 400 students from more
than 20 different ethnic backgrounds from
pre-K through 8th grade. The Western
Association of Schools and Colleges has
accredited both of these schools.
The California Science Academy was
established in 2002. It offers junior high and
high school education, along with Arabic
and Islamic studies.
The Council of Islamic Education (CIE)
was co-founded in 1990 by Shabbir
Mansuri—an engineer who became concerned with what was being taught about
Islam and Muslims in schools—with the
support of several Muslim community
members. CIE is a national, nonprofit, nonadvocacy organization working within the
American educational system. CIE is
chiefly involved in academic research, consulting on textbook publications, and the
development of teaching resources for public school teachers. Among others, two of
CIE’s popular publications are “Teaching
About Islam and Muslims” and “Muslim
Women Through the Centuries.”
Media. The tabloid size newspaper
“Pakistan Link”, which was founded by a
dynamic young activist, Faiz Rahman, in
the mid 1980s, has emerged as a major Pakistani news source. In 2000, it was purchased by IT success story Dr. Safi
Qureshey. His brother, Wasi Qureshey,
became managing editor and Akhtar Mahmud Faruqui became the new editor. Today,
Latino-Muslim Movement. Reymundo Nur and Saafir serve as leaders of
the Latin Muslim community based
IslamiCity has developed into a dynamic
at the Foundation.
website offering everything from advice to
merchandise; (right) Downtown Los Angeles’
Another ILM offering is the “Go
Masjid Ibaadillah
Beyond the G.A.M.E Youth Academic
Incentive Program”, which assists
youth from impoverished areas to
prepare for college. The activities
include sports camps, college tours,
youth conferences, and counseling.
The “Partnership for Humanity”
program serves to promote the
ILM arranges a public
removal of barriers and misconcepservice event, where
tions that exist
people based
ture stories that inform about the var- news addicts—was
thebetween
brainchild
of the
Muslim volunteers
on race, California
culture, gender,Board,
and religion.
ious masajid of southern California.
CAIR Northern
which
prepare to serve the
Foundationand
is also
part of multiple
larger communit
A media success story is “Al Talib” oversaw itsThe
inception
launch
in 1999.
interfaithpublication
coalitions and study
groups,
newspaper, which is published by the stu- When the online
proved
to be
to Preserve
they strive to attract a dent union at the University of California at a financial including
burden,Coalition
however,
it wasHuman
sold to
Dignity, Interfaith
Community United
more diverse readership. “We don’t want to Los Angeles (UCLA). This monthly news- Culver City-based
IslamiCity.org.
Muslim community
applies Islamic
in serving
the needy. for Justice and Peace, and Common
paper hasteachings
been in business
far longer than
beAconsidered
an ethnic newspaper,”
Ground Jewish-Muslim.
In the late 1980s, the
Faruqui says. “We want to adhere to main- many reputed Islamic news magazines. Public Service.
Saafir
says that there
is a lack of
renowned
humanitarian
Similarly, students at the University of Cal- internationally
stream American journalistic standards.”
care Islamic
for human life,
and that,
Islami- its
Relief
pitched
In February 2005, “InFocus” newspa- ifornia at Irvine (UCI) also publish a month- organization
cally, Muslims
should
have a conbase of
operations
in Burper made a big splash in Southern Califor- ly newspaper called “Al-Kalima”. Both of North American
for allnorth
regardless
of race or Los
miles
of downtown
nia. Launched by members of the CAIR these student publications are of high cal- bank, a fewcern
BY FAISAL
ANSARI
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develdonedbymakeshift
shantytownsAngeles.
in down- Asbackground.
He wisheshas
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Islamthe organization
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iberand
and
are underwritten
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the paper
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opment
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LA. On an appointed
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world”
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Cal-by providing
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setslocation
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ifornia.theItmean
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“Eat Right
Rightonline
(ETRT)”
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mobile medical
clinic, mainlyIslamic
run by the Relief
under-represented
remains minorities.
focused on its
newsmagazine
“iViews.com”
cles, monthly
editorials.
Its to ThinkThe
community
in a sea
of Intellect,
“Teaching
Skills
to Replacedestination
Social
Ummah
Community
Shah Jr., CPA,
to alleviate
the sufpopular
for many
online humanitarian mission Naim
most popular
news
article
is its mosque
fea- Life—a
Since Ramadan
Love and Mercy—ILM.
Ills.”
Clinic. Food, clothing,
ILM co-founder and
Drawing its name also from the AraILM has co-founded programs, such toys, and warm
chief
financial
officer,
2002, Muslims,
bic word for ‘knowledge’ and the
as “Humanitarian Day”, in which Mus- smiles are provided,
working under the who gave up his proQur’anic teachings on the subject,
lims from all over Southern California
along with the necesfessional career to
Coalition to
Imam Saadiq Saafir, who started his
help nearly 3000 homeless people on a sities needed to surserve humanity,
Preserve Human
journey to Truth in the 1960s with the
single day during Ramadan. The service vive as a homeless
states, “We promote
Dignity, have fed
Nation of Islam and turned to mainincludes feeding the hungry, clothing
person. Mainstream
tolerance and self
the homeless and
stream Islam in the early 1970s,
the needy, and helping the sick obtain
newspapers have
respect for all. This
founded ILM as a vehicle for social
medical treatment.
covered this event;
hungry in the heart complements the
change and a way to change the conSince Ramadan 2002, Muslims,
however, there has
of LA’s “Skid Row.” diversity of Los Angedition of African Americans. “The type working under the Coalition to Preserve been no significant
les, and it is important
of lifestyle that we as African AmeriHuman Dignity (initiated and formed by coverage by TV news stations.
that the character comes before color,
cans were living predicted no future
the Foundation), have also fed the
ILM, cognizant of the fact that LA is
and righteousness before race. As a
for our people and especially the
homeless and hungry in the heart of
home to one of the nation’s largest
Muslim organization we represent
youth,” said Saafir.
LA’s “Skid Row.” Skid Row is most
Latino Muslim communities, runs a
America.” ■
ILM has been at the forefront of nur- infamous for the homeless population
series of Islamic classes in the Spanish
turing and advocating for human digni- that has taken refuge within its abanlanguage, started by a group called the Faisal Ansari is an intern at iViews.com.
GOOD NEIGHBOR
I
A
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V
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I
S
E
M
E
N
T
21
COVER STORY
Islamic Shura Council
means ‘no interest’, was the answer.
Founded in 1987 by a group of businessmen and women, the Los Angeles
Reliable Investment Bankers Associates offers non-interest based financing to its customers. The company specializes in single family home financing
and small and medium size business
financing using the leasing model,
known as ajarah and/or joint venture,
known as musharakah. LARIBA has
withstood the test of time and succeeded in a market dominated by exponentially big conventional bankers. Its
founder and author of a book by the
same name, Dr. Yahia Abdur-Rahman, pledges the highest ethical and
professional standards for the consumer and halal competitive profits
and dividends for its investors.
Ammar Kahf, director,
Islamic Center of
Hawthorne, continues
his family's tradition
of Islamic activism
When the pioneers raised $3,000 to build
the first masjid, they had no idea that they were
planting the first seed of khayr (goodness).
fering of the world’s poor. Its active partnership to feed the hungry and the homeless in downtown LA in coordination with
the ILM Foundation and Masjid Ibaadillah is a popular program.
The Los Angeles-based Muslim Public
Affairs Council (MPAC) was established in
1988. Its mission is to promote and serve the
interests of the Muslim community at all
levels in Los Angeles and on Capitol Hill.
MPAC’s mission is also all encompassing as
it seeks to develop the American Muslim
identity and prepare the leadership of the
future. MPAC was founded by the Islamic
Center of Southern California, which also
launched the Muslim Women’s League and
the “Minaret” Magazine.
In 1994, the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR-LA) established
its West Coast office. Since then, CAIR-LA
has been working tirelessly to promote and
protect the civil rights of the Muslim community. It has also been very instrumental
in affecting change on the local level, both
with policy makers and the entertainment
industry, as its many services include providing consultation to film and television
industry professionals.
two million “unique visitors” each month
on a sustained basis. For those who like to
listen to the Qur’an online in Arabic or
translated, watch the daily prayers broadcast directly from Makkah, or enjoy the
famous “Al-Jazeera” news broadcasts, they
can simply visit IslamiCity’s 24-hour nonstop streaming videos. Those who might
have a pressing question can seek an answer
simply by searching the 7,000+ Q/A database or browse more than 3,000 hours of
lectures, conferences, and conventions in
the multimedia library. As for online shoppers, the website’s bazaar carries more than
a thousand items related to education, edutainment, and exquisite gift products.
The people working at IslamiCity are
passionate about promoting a better understanding of Islam in the West and propagate
peace and brotherhood between all faiths.
The names of dozens of new Muslims are
posted daily on the site. Their sheer number
is a testament that Islam is indeed the fastest
growing faith in America. An entire community of new converts camps out at IslamiCity every day, learning and sharing information from over one hundred countries
around the world.
Outreach. IslamiCity—arguably the
Islamic Finance. Doing business
while remaining faithful to Islamic principles
is tough in Western societies that heavily rely
on usury, commonly known as interest. As a
result, Muslim communities have struggled
to find a solution to their economic needs
without compromising their religious practices. In California, LARIBA, which literally
largest website offering objective information and news from a Muslim perspective—
grew out of Human Assistance and Development International (HADI) in the early
1990s. It started as a modest bulletin board
and a handful of online chatters, but now
boasts a bustling online community of over
A Goodly Tree Bears a Goodly
Fruit. Unlike the Spanish Conquistadors
and the early pioneers of the Gold Rush,
early Muslims did not land in California to
establish missions or plunder the state’s
wealth. They came to study and improve
their careers. In seeking to do so in a nonMuslim environment, they realized that
their spiritual survival was at stake and that
the only way to secure it was to build
mosques and Islamic schools.
When the pioneers raised a mere $3,000
to build the first masjid, they had no idea that
they were planting the first seed of khayr
(goodness), which grew and multiplied
manifold. Today khayr keeps spreading in
Southern California and beyond, planted
on a daily basis by a people who believe that
no good deed shall go unrewarded.
Muslims, like many other minorities, are
still trying to gain a foothold within the
American society and claim their rightful
place at the table. As the Muslim community
continues to grow and expand throughout
Southern California, so do its myriad needs,
whether religious, sociopolitical, or economic. Having weathered many a turmoil, especially the fallout from the 9/11/2001 tragedy,
Muslims in Southern California, like their
coreligionists in the rest of the country, are
well aware that their survivial and their children’s spiritual future depends in great part
on their ability to preserve their Islamic identity. To do so, they must build mosques and
schools and impart the peaceful teachings of
Islam to future generations.
The legacy of khayr bequeathed by the
early pioneers must not be squandered
because, for Muslims, the meaning of the
Gold Rush is not simply materialistic, it is
primarily and ultimately spiritual. ■
________________________________
Abdussalam Mohamed, a freelance writer, contributed to this article.
Shakeel Syed is the executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of
Southern California.
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ACCESS California
100 sq. ft.
500 sq. ft.
5,000 sq. ft.
12,500 sq. ft.
1998
2002
2004
2013
| Soc ial Se rv i c es
Access California was originally started in November of 1998 when it was first called Care “R” Us. The
name was later changed to Access California Services in 2004 and was started with a modest $2,000
seed investment from the Community Action Partnership of Orange County. It now operates with a $1.6
million annual budget & more than 20 full time staff.
The first location for Access was in a small 100 sq. ft. room (9778 W. Katella Ave, Suite 102) with its assets
no more than a folding table, couple of chairs and a phone. In January of 2002, Access expanded to a
little larger space across Masjid Al-Ansar (1665 S. Brookhurst) before moving again to almost 5000 sq.
ft renting the entire first floor of the CAIR building in the spring of 2004. In October 2013, Access was
forced to move to its current 12,500 sq. ft. facility located in the heart of the Muslim and Arab enclave,
not too far from the Little Arabia (631 S. Brookhurst St). The current office is now home to about 40 staff
members who offer much needed social services to new immigrants and low and limited income families
of all religions and ethnicities. In the coming years, Access California hopes to own its own property with
twice much space to continue the existing services and add new ones.
In its first year in 1998 Access California helped three families. More than fifteen years later, Access now
serves about 10,000 individuals or 3,500 families per year. Access believes a large number of Muslim
families are still unaware of its services for them. Hence, Access has launched an outreach program to
raise awareness of its health and human services to the needy community members.
Access California services include but not limited to:
- Immigration & Citizenship; Health & Social Services:
- Employment & Skills Development, and
- English speaking classes for new immigrants
Access California’s unique strengths include its multi-lingual competency and specialty in dealing
with diverse cultures and serving as a hub for families, especially immigrants and refugees. However,
Access also faces the long-term challenge to meet the ever-increasing demand of its services with
disproportionately less funding sources. Another struggle the organization faces is to outreach and serve
a geographically wide spread community in SoCal.
Access invests in hiring a diverse staff and training them in languages, multiculturalism and religious
sensitivity to be able to adequately serve one of the most diverse communities in the State of California.
Access currently serves the communities of 15 unique languages, and expects this diversity to grow even
more.
Access hopes to see the younger generation engage in non-profit work, specifically with human services
and mental health. Access believes that the realm of social services would allow young people with
deeper understanding of the society and also to advocate for their community’s specific needs.
Although Access primarily serves Muslims and also Christian Arabs, but it also hopes to expand its
outreach efforts to all people in need.
Access California foresees greater engagement and collaboration between non-Muslim and the
community in many future service projects. Access California Services continue to receive financial
support from local, state, and federal entities to serve the underserved immigrant communities. This
support helps Access to continue to serve the community needs.
Access has received several awards from County, State and Federal agencies and reciprocally it has also
recognized many community leaders and organizations whose primary goal complements theirs.
STAFF
By year 2020, Access California hopes to also add special services for the senior citizens who are a
growing demographic in the community. Programs and services for the senior citizens will be tailored
to the specific socio-cultural needs of the large immigrant communities that Access serves. Another
important program that Access plans to add is foster care for young children.
24
40+
SERVICES
Immigration & Citizenship
Health & Social Services
Employment & Skills Development
W W W.ACCESS CA L .ORG
25
CAIR - Council on American
Islamic Relations
(Los Angeles)
| Ci v il Righ t s & C i v i l L i b er t i es
Established
1996
Yet, CAIR-LA faces some challenges, such as: financial sustainability and good talent. CAIR-LA strives to
attract young Muslims and to help them become civically empowered and engaged in the areas of social
and economic justice.
In the coming years, CAIR-LA hopes to focus more on youth development helping them become leaders
of tomorrow’s Muslims today while continuing all of its programs and services.
The Council on American Islamic Relations Los Angeles chapter (CAIR-LA) was established in 1996 in
a small rental office space in the city of Anaheim. Some of the earliest community members who were
involved in the formation of CAIR-LA are Dr. Muhammad Auwal, Hussam Ayloush, Diane Hanfford, Okla
Al-Hayek, Yaman Kahf, and Masoud Nassimi.
CAIR-LA’s primary work is to protect and preserve the civil rights and civil liberties of Muslims. Its
services include but not limited to helping end discrimination at the work place ans advocating for a
harassment free environment in the educational institutions for Muslim students. CAIR-LA also works
with various government agencies to ensure their policies and practices are not discriminatory toward
Muslims. Additionally, another major focus of CAIR-LA’s work is to advance objective information and
understanding of Islam and Muslims to the society at large while educating and empowering Muslims to
do the same through frequent training programs.
CAIR-LA collaborates closely with Masajid and Muslim organizations as they are its most important
partner. All of CAIR-LA’s services are offered free and are geared towards educating and empowering,
protecting and defending the community. For example, CAIR-LA organizes periodic forums, workshops,
and training programs at the partner Masajid and also makes civil rights educational material available
for the community. CAIR-LA also works closely with various civil rights, social justice and human rights
organizations such as: ACLU, Asian-Americans Advancing Justice, Coalition for Humane Immigrant
Rights of Los Angeles, South Asian Network and Amnesty International among others.
CAIR-LA believes it is the collective responsibility of all Muslim Americans to adequately respond to the
growing interest of America to know and learn more about Islam. And, CAIR-LA wishes to be a primary
resource in this regard offering most authentic and objective information about Islam and Muslims and
helping the community to share its own story more effectively with fellow Americans.
STAFF
15
SERVICE
AREA
Southern
California
C A .C AI R .COM/ LOSA N GEL ES /
CAIR-LA has expanded its services and programs and currently has more than 15 staff members and
hundreds of volunteers who serve the growing needs of Muslim communities, across Southern California.
26
27
CHINO VALLEY
ISLAMIC CENTER (CVIC)
| Sp irit ual & Ed u c at i o n a l P ro gra ms
Prior to the Chino Valley Islamic Center (CVIC) officially coming into being in the year 2010, it was originally
setup as a musallah where local Chino and Chino Hills residents could pray the five daily prayers. Early on
Dr. Ahmed Soboh, a Chino Hills resident, was asked by community members to lead a youth group that
would meet bi-weekly at his home. Eventually the youth group grew rapidly and Muslim residents in Chino
Hills realized that they needed a Masjid to gather at. It was at this time that Fuad Dadabhoy, Naveed Gori,
Ashfaq Kazi and Dr. Ahmed Soboh got together and decided to get a location to create CVIC. What was
once a skateboard factory in Chino quickly transformed into an Chino Valley Islamic Center for Muslims
living in the Chino and Chino Hills area. Initially 50-60 people would attend CVIC functions such as the
Juma prayer. Now this number has increased to about 400-600 brothers and sisters who attend CVIC
weekly for Juma prayers.
CVIC values diversity and has built a reputation of an all-embracing Masjid for everyone. It now averages
800-1000 people for Ramadan iftars and about 4000 people attend its Eid prayer. CVIC currently
provides the community with services such as a Youth Group, Women’s programming, Sunday School,
Educational Programs, Friday Khutbah, Mommy and Me Classes and inter-Masajid activities including
sports tournaments.
Established
2010
Considering that the community is growing faster than what is anticipated, one of the major challenges
faced by CVIC is to expand the current Masjid space. The community and the leadership is working on
a long term plan to purchase a new facility or build a Masjid from the ground-up in the Chino area within
the next five years. Since the inception of the Chino Valley Islamic Center four years ago, the Masjid has
made great strides as a community and continues to grow each year with a committed team of volunteers
and community support.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
400+
SERVICE
AREA
Chino &
Chino Hills
W W W.C VI S L A MICCEN TER.ORG
In the coming years, community members of the Masjid aspire to have a daycare center and a family
counseling service. CVIC has an open-minded and transparent board who keep community members
updated by holding regular community town-hall meetings. CVIC also collaborates with the neighboring
Masajid in various programs and services and participates in one of the largest Eid prayers gathering at
the Pomona Fairgrounds.
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29
Helping Hand for Relief &
Development (HHRD)
| Eme rge ncy R el i ef
| De v e l op m e n t P r o g r a m s
In 2005 the Islamic Circle of North America started Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD).
Helping Hand is an organization with the mandate to raise funds from USA and spend for the support
& development of humanity in dire need across the globe. HHRD started in New York, then moved to
Detroit, and after a decade of its service, HHRD has expanded its operations in California, Arizona, Texas,
Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Illinois, Maryland and in New Jersey.
HHRD opened its office in Southern California in 2009 that was formally inaugurated by Dr. Muzammil
Siddiqi, Chairman of the Shura Council of Southern California. This office covers all of the Pacific West
Region of the United States.
Established
2005
Development, Mobile Medical Clinics among others. HHRD continues to also expand its humanitarian
relief work in other countries such as: Mexico, Haiti, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Afghanistan, Azad Kashmir,
and in Philippines.
HHRD also works in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Tunisia, Sierra
Leone, Tanzania, Jordan, Lebanon.
HHRD is grateful to the Most Merciful God and the community support that it was able to assist about 3.5
million needy Muslims each year. In 2005, HHRD distributed a total of $2.5 million worth of donations and
in 2013 the donations distribution increased more than ten fold to about $28 million.
Considering that the natural and man-made catastrophes are unfortunately increasing every year, HHRD
plans to increase its emergency relief services in the subsequent years. At the same time, HHRD also
plans to expand its developmental programs & services thus creating greater opportunities for the selfempowerment of the temporarily displaced people by various catastrophes.
HHRD invites the community to join hands in working together in serving those who are in need locally
and globally. HHRD is particularly interesting in inviting Muslim youth to avail meaningful opportunities to
volunteer along the HHRD’s experienced staff in different parts of the world and gain knowledge that will
last a lifetime.
Later in 2010 HHRD moved to a bigger office in the city of Ontario with a warehouse to store the InKind
Donations. Subsequently, the Ontario space became insufficient and hence HHRD moved to their
current location in Corona in 2013. The current location has adequate space to operate its programs
such as Shop N’ Help, Women’s Empowerment and Skills Development, among others. It also has a large
meeting room and a good size warehouse to store InKind Donations.
HHRD has already sent twenty 40-foot containers to various parts of the world comprised of Food, medical
supplies, warm clothing and new bedding. HHRD’s 2015 initiative is to develop e-Learning program
for the Syrian refugee children temporarily living in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Among its other new
initiatives, HHRD is now registered as a NGO in Mexico where its focus is to establish programs, such as:
Skills Development, Interest Free Micro-financing and an InKind Gift Program.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
1500+
SERVICE
AREA
W W W.H HRD.ORG
HHRD has several ongoing emergency relief projects in Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan,
Occupied Kashmir and Myanmar. HHRD’s work is rooted in the concept of providing “relief” and then
follows it by offering “development programs.” The developmental programs include Orphan Support,
Children With Disabilities, Emergency Relief, Water and Sanitation Hygiene, In-Kind Gifts, Infrastructure
30
Emergency Relief
Development Programs
31
Indo-Chinese
Islamic Center
| Da ily & F ri day P r ay er s
| Yout h e d uc at i o n
In the year 1981 a group of nine brothers came together to form what was initially known as the Indo Chinese
Muslim Refugees Association of America. This masjid was founded in an apartment complex on South
Minnie Street in the city of Santa Ana, California. From a small group of 15 to 20 families, the masjid slowly
began to grow. It was then in 1981 that the organization obtained a non-profit status and a few years later
the first property was purchased and in 2010, the Indo Chinese Muslim Refugees Association of America
formally became the Indo-Chinese Islamic Center (ICIC).
Established
1981
The current board members believe that it is imperative to find a bigger building and also a full-time
Imam who is capable of meeting the growing needs of the community. ICIC leadership also feels that the
community has great potential to put on more events especially for the youth. ICIC believes that through
‘working together’ with other Masajid, it will be able to build mutually stronger communities and share the
message of Islam with everyone.
The masjid expanded when the community moved and purchased three units of a four unit complex on
East Grant Street also in Santa Ana. This expansion encouraged many new families to become part of the
community which peaked at as many as 185 families
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
.
150+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
250+
W W W, I C I S L A MICCEN TER.ORG
In addition to the five daily prayers, the Friday prayers bring together 150-200 Muslims from all across
Santa Ana. ICIC also holds its own Eid prayers which averages an attendance of 250-300 Muslims.
Helping young Muslims gain Islamic knowledge is an integral part of ICIC’s vision which is why the masjid
offers a weekend Islamic school for the Muslim youth. One of the unique aspects of this community is
that the majority of its members are of Indo Chinese background which the masjid proudly believes to
be one of its strengths. Also, about 1/3rd of the members who attend the masjid are related to each other,
which creates a strong bond amongst the community. Although there is constant growth in the number
of community members every year, one of the challenges faces by ICIC is getting the younger generation
to get involved in more community activities and also assume leadership positions.
32
33
INGLEWOOD MASJID
(Masjid ul islam)
In 1966 a group of Muslims living in West Los Angles near University of California Los Angeles,
rented a one bedroom apartment for one month for performing Isha and Taraweeh prayers. During this
time the Islamic Center of Southern California was the only organization that had a building of its own
which was was open only on Sundays and was located more than 15 miles from West Los Angeles. Other
Islamic organizations included the Muslim Brothers of America, Los Angeles, and the Islamic Society of
Orange County. These centers did not have any buildings of their own but were organizations only on
paper. There was a handful few families managing the affairs of the Islamic Center of Southern California.
The following year in 1967 the community rented a one bed room apartment for Isha and Taraweeh prayers
on Sawtelle Avenue in West Los Angeles.
In 1970 elections were held at the center and a new executive council was elected. Many
community members made suggestions to improve the activities of the center. An increasing amount of
Muslim families began coming to the center and people realized that there was a need for a larger space
to continue the weekend Islamic school and other activities. In the mean time more Muslim immigrant
families arrived in Southern California. In 1971 the community decided to establish a masjid in West Los
Angeles/South Bay LA and selected the name Masjid-ul-Islam for the new mosque. At the same time
the community decided to hold Eid prayers at the Veteran’s Administration Hall in Culver City. Eid prayers
were held in Culver City each year from 1971 to 1976.
Masjid ul Islam was officially founded in 1971 and an executive Board was elected by the community and
entrusted with the task of incorporating it as a nonprofit religious organization and establishing a masjid
and school. The founding board members were; Ibrahim Dawoodji, Ali Surti, Mehmood Bholat, Jamal
Qaudri and Mohammad Yacoob who worked on the organization’s bylaws and other legal documents.
The articles of incorporation and the bylaws were drafted, debated and approved. After obtaining the
recognition of exemption status from the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Board the
community continued to explore the West Los Angeles and South Bay-LA areas for a good location for
the Masjid.
Established
Current Property Purchased
Adjacent Property Purchased
New Building Completed
1971
1977
1983
1993
Street was purchased. Funds were collected from the Muslim community and the entire price was paid
without paying any interest on the property. Alterations were then made to building to provide an area for
wudu. In 1986 renovation was done in the prayer hall, wudu area, bathroom and kitchen.
Afterwards, the property adjacent to the Masjid was purchased in the fiscal year 1983-1984. The
payment for this property was made over a period of one year without paying interest. The Imam of the
Masjid moved into the Arbor Vitae building. Still, the need existed to expand the Islamic weekend school.
The executive board made a decision in 1991 to construct a new Masjid on the Arbor Vitae property. The
work started early in 1992 for the construction of the ladies prayer hall, Islamic school and library. By the
Grace of Allah, the building was completed in time for occupancy in February of 1993.
As for the vision of the masjid, its’ leadership believes that the community itself is very conservative
and needs to be open-minded towards communicating with all types of Muslims from the neighboring
communities. The pioneers of Masjid ul Islam are still in contact with its current leadership and are
confident that the center along with the rest of the Southern California Muslim community will continue to
grow strong and cooperate with one another. Their advice to young Muslims is to become more active in
communicating with people of other faiths and get answers about the concerns they may have in regards
to Islam. They also advise the youth to try and become leaders and continue to use Islamic ethical values
in all aspects of life. With such a beautiful vision the future looks bright for Masjid ul Islam.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
300+
SERVICE
AREA
Los Angeles &
Beach Cities
To meet an immediate need of the community, an Islamic Weekend school was established to teach Quran,
Hadith and Islamic Ethics to both children and adults. The locations for these classes were buildings that
were rented in West Los Angeles and Culver City. This nomadic situation lasted until 1975 but in 1976 a
spacious building was rented on La Cienega Blvd. in the city of Inglewood. The Islamic activities and the
Islamic Weekend School were held in this place until 1977 when the current location of the Masjid on Java
34
35
Ar-Rahman Islamic Center
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
2003
2004
2008
2010
Ar-Rahman Islamic Center is a Mosque and a full time school dedicated and committed to provide
children with the Tahfeez (memorization) and Tajweed al-Quran (pronunciation) educational programs.
In addition, Ar-Rahman also provides Islamic educational classes including classes for Arabic language
to children and young adults. Ar-Rahman Islamic Center was established in May 2003 (Rabi Awwal 1424)
in a small office suite on Cherry Avenue in Fontana. At that small office, Ar-Rahman started its groundwork
of preparing future leaders and Imams. Few months later in October of 2003, the Ar-Rahman Islamic
Center acquired a new property at 7641 Sierra Avenue. This single-family house with half an acre of land
was purchased in $208,000 and used as a Masjid and also a community center. Responding to the rapid
growth of the community, in October 2004, an adjacent land of half an acre was purchased for $184,000
by a community member that was paid back by Ar-Rahman within two short years.
Ar-Rahman Islamic Center realized that the growing community and its programs would need more
space. So in 2006 the community started planning to build a ground-up purpose-built Mosque and a
School. The community organized and celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony in May 2008 along
with the SoCal scholars, community leaders, city officials and the students of Ar-Rahman Islamic Center.
This event was covered in the local newspapers, as the Ar-Rahman Islamic Center became the first Masjid
in the City of Fontana.
By the grace of Allah and the community support, in about seven years the Ar-Rahman Islamic Center
grew from a small office suite to more than an acre land complex with a purpose built two storey 8,000
sq.ft. Masjid serving hundreds of families in the Inland Empire area.
Ar-Rahman Islamic Center now offers daily and Friday prayers. More than one hundred students have
successfully completed the Quranic and Arabic language program. In addition the Weekend Islamic
School offers the basics of Islamic creed and worship along with the early Islamic history classes.
Moreover, a specifically designed program for youth, working professionals, and new Muslims is also
offered.
Several Ar-Rahman Islamic Center graduates have already led Taraweeh prayers in a number of different
local Mosques. Another unique contribution of Ar-Rahman Islamic Center was a copy of Quran donated
to the local library that continues to remain in its main display.
The Ar-Rahman Islamic Center stands tall today in the City of Fontana as a symbol of hope and virtue for
many years to come.
The Ar-Rahman Islamic Center joined the entire SoCal Muslim community and celebrated the grand
opening of its brand new 8,000 sq. ft state of the art Mosque on June 27, 2010. More than one thousand
people attended this event from all across southern California including many elected officials from the
City of Fontana and the County of San Bernardino.
W W W. FON TA N A MA S JID.ORG
The community at large and the elected officials of the City of Fontana and the County of San Bernardino
recognized Hafiz Faiz Ali Shah for his selfless leadership in realizing the dream of Ar-Rahman Islamic
Center in Fontana.. Hafiz Faiz in turn thanked everyone for their myriad contributions without which
realizing the dream of Ar-Rahman Islamic Center would not have been possible.
36
37
ISLAMIC CENTER of
INLAND EMPIRE (ICIE)
| Da ily & F riday P r ay er s.
| Sp e c ial Ra m a da n Pr o g r a m s
| Sp irit ual & Ed u c at i o n a l P ro gra ms.
It was on Hellman and 9th Street in a small warehouse in Rancho Cucamonga where the Islamic Center
of Inland Empire (ICIE) was born. During the early 90’s when the community was in its nascent phase, a
group of ambitious Muslims decided to advance the ICIE project to the next level.
The group found and purchased a larger property in another area of Rancho Cucamonga and started
working on building a Masjid. After securing necessary building permits, the construction started and in
the interim, the community rented Lion’s Center to congregate for Friday prayers. After the construction,
the community moved to their current location on Baseline Road where they established a brand new,
state of the art facility: the Islamic Center of Inland Empire, popularly known as the Rancho Masjid.
ICIE is home to more than 200 Muslim families living in and around the city of Rancho Cucamonga. Each
Friday, the ICIE brings together about 500 Muslims for Juma prayers. In addition to the daily prayers, the
ICIE also offers weekly educational classes and spiritual enrichment programs. ICIE also offers special
programs such as: Mommy & Me; Marriage and Funeral services.
During Ramadan the Masjid holds additional events and activities including community and interfaith
iftars, and spiritual night programs. Despite of offering many services, ICIE hopes to add new services
to meet the growing needs of the community, such as: family counseling and social services along with
tailored programs for women, youth and converts.
Established
1995
Also, since its inception, the ICIE did not have a full time designated Religious Director as its spiritual
leader until very recently. However, that has changed in late 2014 when the Islamic Center of Inland Empire
commissioned a full time religious director to serve its myriad needs.
The community warmly embraces this first time and full time spiritual head, Imam Marc Manley who is
equally eager to learn all about the community and offer himself and his services.
The Islamic Center of Inland Empire has experienced an exponential growth during the last few years
because of socio-economic reasons and as well as the attraction that ICIE offers to many Muslims.
Based on the history, ICIE foresees a demographic change in the next few years and that is transforming
from predominantly a community of first generation immigrants to becoming a diverse community of
second generation immigrants and converts among others.
The Islamic Center of Inland Empire is part of the SoCal Masajid mosaic and it hopes to do its part in
restoring deeper spirituality within the Muslim community while sharing the peaceful message of Islam
with its neighbors in all of Inland Empire.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
500+
SERVICE
AREA
Rancho Cucomonga &
Surrounding Cities
W W W. R A N CH OMA S JID.ORG
While the Islamic Center of Inland Empire celebrates its richly diverse community from across the
ethnicities, it also struggles to design its programming in such a fashion that it caters to everyone’s specific
needs. Another challenge it embraces is to maintain an intimate and close-knit community environment
in spite of its rapid growth.
38
39
|
|
|
|
|
Da ily & F ri day P r ay er s
Sp e c ial Ra m a da n P r o g r a m s
Sp irit ual & Ed u c at i o n a l P ro gra ms
Ful l t im e I s l a m i c S c h o o l
Fam ily C ou n s eli n g
After World War Two, academic institutions in the United States opened their doors for many students from
abroad. Many students from Muslim countries were admitted and gained advanced education in many
fields. These included agriculture, engineering, computing, medicine and the humanities. Some of these
graduates remained in the US, raised families, and became citizens of the USA. They achieved jobs in
companies, academia and with state, local and federal governments or established their own businesses.
The children of these Muslim immigrants were born in the US, and being citizens, were in need of a place
for religious education and practices. The new citizens met this challenge by organizing groups to develop
mosques and institutions to meet the religious needs of the growing Muslim community.
Two families from Riverside, Ali and Ruth (Jonathan) Abu Tabikh and Mir Subhan and Lelia Louise (Patterson)
Mulla started discussing the idea of forming a Muslim group to serve the needs of Muslim families in late
1962. The Tabikhs contacted Tariq Shamma and Falih and Antonnette Al-Jibouri and George and Anna
Kaiser of Orange County about joining the group in early 1963. The combined group from Riverside and
Orange counties celebrated their first Eid Al-Fitr together at Tariq Shamma’s house in Orange County on
Feb. 23, 1963. The group later selected the name Islamic Society of Riverside and Orange Counties when
it was formed. Members met in private homes on Sundays for religious education, worship and social
activities. Meetings alternated between Riverside and Orange County homes every Sunday.
By 1968 membership grew to include several families in Orange County, including the Mohammed Khan
and Shakeel Siddiqui, Anwar Hedjazi families and others. Early members from Riverside county included
Husam Darwazeh, Ahmed and Fatima Abu Bakr, Fadlullah Abdel Shafi and others.
In January 1973 the Islamic Society of Riverside and Orange Counties began meeting every Sunday at
the Carousel Preschool in Fullerton. This facility was owned by one of the members, Mr. Mohammed H.
Khan. The gas crisis of 1973/74 made traveling to Orange county expensive for residents of Riverside. As
a result, the Islamic Society split into two separate organizations, namely; the Islamic Society of Riverside
and the Islamic Society of Orange County.
40
Established
Construction Completed
Islamic Academy of Riverside Established
1979
1983
1987
The Islamic Society of Riverside formed and incorporated as a nonprofit, tax exempt religious organization
in 1975. At that time membership included 20 families living in Riverside and nearby communities. The
Islamic Society of Riverside began meeting on Sundays in Watkins House at UCR, a social and community
center formerly located at the site of the present University of California Riverside (UCR) Alumni Center.
This facility became inadequate by 1979 and the Islamic Society purchased a house on 3rd St. known as
the Muslim House. This house served the Islamic Community in Riverside and adjacent areas. But this
facility became inadequate for the tremendous growth in attendance during the 1980’s.
The Muslim Students Association at UCR was formed during the early 1970’s. Students began meeting
with members of the Islamic Society of Riverside for Friday prayers and Eid celebrations at Watkins
House on the UCR campus. The MSA Executive Committee, including Mutawakil Muhalhal, Mustapha
Koko and Dawud Mulla and others began discussing the need to build a mosque jointly with the Islamic
Society of Riverside. By 1978 because there was not enough space in Watkins House for the growing
number of attendees at Juma prayers, the executive committee of the MSA at UCR and the Islamic Society
of Riverside made plans for fundraising to build a mosque. Both groups cooperated in developing
plans and building support for a Riverside Mosque. The MSA at UCR had good contacts with overseas
funding sources which were needed for completion of the project. The Islamic Society of Riverside an
incorporated entity, had permanent local residents who were familiar with procedures for purchasing
land, developing architectural and engineering plans, working with city and local officials for permits,
and logistical tasks needed for building the mosque.
A Masjid Council composed of six members, three from the Islamic Society of Riverside and three from the
MSA at UCR was formed to develop plans for the Mosque project. Lelia Mulla served as secretary and treasurer
of the mosque project and Islamic Society of Riverside for over 20 years. Husam Darwazeh identified a 3.5 acre
parcel of land strategically located one block from the UCR campus on Linden Ave for the mosque. This parcel
was purchased in June 1979 for $95,000 using money collected from various local sources.
The services of a professional architect and engineer were secured by Mir Mulla on behalf of the Masjid
Council to develop complete plans for the Mosque. Karim Chehade of Chehade Engineering in Corona met
with the Masjid Council on July 28, 1979, and his firm was selected for drawing initial plans of the project.
A rough sketch of floor plans for the Mosque was drawn by Dawud Mulla and others, and Karim Chehade
adapted this for detailed construction plans which included a prayer hall, courtyard, kitchen, office, library,
washrooms, dining room, classrooms and parking lot. On Nov. 4, 1981, Chehade Engineering submitted the
plans to the Council, and General Contractor Avalon Construction Co. submitted a bid for the Mosque project
which was accepted by the Masjid Council. Roger Turner and Mir Mulla, members of the Masjid Council,
worked with Avalon Construction Co. to develop detailed construction plans and schedules. Conditional
approval to proceed with the Mosque project was given by the City of Riverside Planning Commission on
July 9, 1981. The building permit was issued in August 1982. Riverside Mayor Ab Brown at that time provided
advice and assistance to the Mosque council on procedures for getting the project approved by the City.
41
A major fundraising drive was started in 1982. Groundbreaking for the Riverside Mosque took place in
the middle of 1982 and construction was completed in March 1983. The mosque in Riverside was the first
one built from the ground up in southern California with stylized elements such as a minaret and arches,
and an interior courtyard. The mosque opened for services on April 1, 1983. In the 1990’s the name Islamic
Society of Riverside was changed to Masjid of Riverside and then to the Islamic Center of Riverside.
Islamic Center of Riverside opened for services on April 1, 1983.
ISLAMIC CENTER OF RIVERSIDE
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
Mustapha Kuko was hired as the Director of the Islamic Center of Riverside in 1998, and helped unify the
community and developed strong interfaith outreach programs with the broader community, Mayor, City
Council, other faiths and other prominent entities and organizations in the City of Riverside and vicinity.
The Islamic Center of Riverside now serves 15,000 Muslims in the Inland Empire region. The Center
has many religious and educational programs, including daily prayers, Friday prayers, weekend Islamic
school, family counseling, and services for marriages and funerals. About 4,500 Muslims, including
permanent residents and students at UCR, attend Eid prayers at the Islamic Center of Riverside. The
Islamic Center of Riverside participates in many activities with neighboring faith communities and has
built a reputation as a hub for Interfaith discussions. Furthermore, the City of Riverside and its elected
officials often seek the Islamic Center of Riverside for advice and counsel on various matters of common
interest and the greater good in the Inland Empire.
Islamic Academy of Riverside
During the late 1980’s, the need for full time basic and religious education of children became apparent.
The Islamic Academy of Riverside was established in 1987 with only 6 students to provide a sustainable
faith based and basic education that prepares students for the 21st century. A school building for the
Islamic Academy was constructed on empty land adjacent to the Islamic Center of Riverside in 1995. As
of 2015, an average of 70 students from pre-school to sixth grades are enrolled at the Islamic Academy.
The Masjid of Riverside leadership aspires to expand its elementary school to include not only a high
school, but a college of advanced learning.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
1000+
SUBSIDIARIES
Islamic
Academy of
Riverside
W W W. I CCE NT E RO F RI V E RSI D E .CO M
Serving Inland Empire for Over 37 Years
“Islamic Center of Riverside provides Quranic & Arabic Classes,
Weekly Halaqa(s), Evening Lectures, Miscellaneous Family
Oriented Programs, Ramadan Iftars, Youth & Sisters Programs,
Dawa, Nikkah & Marriage Services, Family Counselling,
Computer/Internet Facilities, Library Facilities, Sunday School for
Little Ones & Youth. Center is Open from Fajr thru 10 pm Daily.
Islamic Center of Riverside also Operates a Regular School
(Islamic Academy of Riverside) at its Premises”
Congratulates
The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
on its
20th Anniversary
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Islamic Center of San Diego
(Masjid Abu Bakr)
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ful l t im e I s l a m i c S c h o o l
Mort uary & Fu n er a l s ervi ce s.
I nte rfait h & S o c i a l J u s t i c e Pa rtn e rs h ips
The Islamic Center of San Diego first opened in 1988 with the help of a group of dedicated first generation
immigrants from different parts of the Muslim world. Although starting with a relatively small number of
community members, the Islamic Center of San Diego slowly grew into the thriving community that it is
today. Its first location was close to San Diego State University prior to its current location (7050 Eckstrom
Avenue). In its initial phase, the Masjid served about 30 families and has now grown to more than 600
families. Being a rather large community center, ICSD holds its own Eid prayers every year. The Eid
prayers typically average about 6000 to 8000 congregants from across the greater San Diego area.
Currently the Islamic Center of San Diego offers many services including the five daily prayers, educational
programs for the various subgroups of individuals in the community, social gatherings, interfaith programs
with neighboring religious organizations, girl scouts programs and also mortuary and burial services for
the deceased. In the next five years the Islamic Center of San Diego does not necessarily aim to add more
services to their center but rather hopes to build on what they already have by strengthening each of their
current programs.
Established
1988
Some of the challenges faced by the Islamic Center of San Diego include its struggle to create a vibrant
youth group program. ICSD prides in its outreach and interfaith programs which have proven to be
successful in building bridges with neighboring communities of all religions, particularly the Christian
and the Jewish communities.
In the next five years the organization projects that its community will become more ethnically diverse as
Muslims of varied backgrounds continue to move into the area. The ICSD is in constant collaboration with
other Islamic centers as it frequently exchanges Khateebs and also holds joint-Masajid events like social
gatherings including community picnics. ICSD also invites young Muslims to organize themselves and
find their space at their local Islamic center.
The Islamic Center of San Diego aspires to see even more cooperation and collaborative events between
area Masajid, particularly in social justice work and in interfaith relations.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
1000+
SERVICE
AREA
ICSD thanks God and the community for is its sustained financial support, which allows it to maintain a
stable operation. Furthermore, the ICSD has been successful in fostering a strong sense of brotherhood
and sisterhood amongst its members and continues to grow in numbers each year.
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Greater
San Diego
W W W.ICS D.ORG
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Islamic Center of
San Gabriel Valley
(Masjid QUBA)
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Ful l t im e C h a r t er S c h o o l
Fre e H e alth C l i n i c
Registered
1st Property Purchased
Subsequent Properties
New Masjid Ground Breaking
New Masjid Completed
1982
1985
1985-2000
2008
2013
With the community’s continued support, especially by Usman Vakil, a derelict church was purchased in
1985 in Rowland Heights that was converted to become the present Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley.
Three decades later, the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley has become one of the largest Masjid in
southern California. Over the years since 1985, the community purchased adjacent properties and
remodeled them for Masjid and school use. Abubakr Vakil played an important role during those years of
expansion.
The Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley traces its roots in the home of Mohammed Ghousuddin and his
wife, Sardar Sultana, parents of Vaseem and Wasif Siddiqui in the city of San Dimas. After many Friday
congregational prayers and Ramadan gatherings, the handful congregants took it upon themselves to
launch the project for a dedicated Masjid.
An exploratory meeting was convened at the house of Br. Mazaher Hussain Sheikh with about thirtyfive congregants. Late Dr. Maher Hathout was also invited to this meeting. The discussions resulted in a
unanimous and enthusiastic commitment that it is time to begin the project for a dedicated Masjid.
The Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley was legally registered in 1982 and the following community
members became the founding members of the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley:
Abubakr Vakil; Ahmed Tai; Dr. Bashir Ahmad; Gul Zaman; Haroon Parekh; Iffat Khan; Mazaher H. Sheikh;
Mohammed Ghousuddin; Nargis Tai; Dr. Noor Jehan Mommadi; Dr. Rafique Rangoonwala; Rashed
Mohammadi; Dr. Rizwana B. Hussain; Saeed-ur-Rehman Horani; Sardar Sultana; Shabbir Khan; S. M.
Afazal Hussain; Vaseem A. Siddiqi; Wasif A. Siddiqi and Zia Zaman.
Immediately after the initial organizational work, the founding board also established an Islamic weekend
school in the summer of the same year in 1982. For daily & Friday prayers and also for the weekend school,
the community rented the facilities of Lorbeer Middle School in Diamond Bar. Dr. Noor Jehan Mohammadi
was tasked to develop a curriculum for a modest group of 14 students, many of whom continue to remain
connected with the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley until today. As the word got spread, the school
moved to a bigger facility in the Diamond Bar High School and more classes were added.
Around early 1983, under the leadership of the then President, Dr. Maher Selim, the community needed
even more space and ended up leasing two large commercial units on Colima Road in Rowland Heights.
This new building provided the ability to accommodate more students in the weekend school program
and also offer daily prayers five times a day.
46
The community kept growing not only because of new immigrants but also because many Muslim families
moved from neighboring cities to benefit from the new Masjid and its weekend school. Subsequently, the
community commissioned Hafiz Mohammed Asif as its first full time Imam and soon thereafter Dr. Ahmad
Sakr, a nationally known scholar and educator was retained as its first Religious Director.
With spiritual leadership now in place, the board directed its focus to streamline and lay the foundation
for a bigger school and a diversified curriculum. And this goal was achieved with the help and leadership
of Dr. Rizwana Hussain, Iffat Khan and Dr. Noor Jehan Mohammedi. This dynamic trio streamlined the
curriculum, organized class sizes, recruited new teachers and also developed a system of adding more
classes to meet the ever so fast community growth.
The Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley, also known as Masjid Quba, started offering regular Islamic
educational programs for adults and families. That included Quranic study, Islamic history, Fiqh classes
among many other similar educational activities. This vibrant educational program for children, adults
and families attracted Muslims from across southern California and as a result the Islamic Center of San
Gabriel Valley became a hub Masjid for many Muslim families.
This growth resulted in further expansion and in early 2000s, the community decided to demolish all the
old buildings and consolidate all properties into a brand new state of the art Masjid facility. The community
tasked Drs. Aleem Syed, Syed Arif Rizvi and Afzal Hussain to lead the new Masjid building project, which
after years of hard work and extraordinary support by the community with their time and treasure, the new
Masjid was inaugurated in mid 2013.
47
Established
Today, the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley is a sprawling complex of a three storey building with over
40,000 square feet of usable space that consists of a large prayer hall, multi-purpose facility, free health
clinic,
1996 classrooms and administrative offices.
Like all major Islamic Centers, the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley offers: Daily and Friday prayers,
weekend school, myriad community services, such as marriage & counseling, funeral and burial services,
special programs during Ramadan, etc.
The Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley now operates a full time Charter School in addition to the weekend
school with an enrollment of over 350 students. Thousands of Muslim youth from within the San Gabriel
Valley have successfully graduated from the Islamic Weekend School over the years and, are currently
making positive professional contributions in diverse disciplines.
The Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley has a vibrant outreach program with neighboring churches,
synagogues and temples and holds frequent interfaith dialogs and events. It also holds a special interfaith
Iftar program during Ramadan and partners with the Islamic Shura Council for an annual Open Mosque
Day. It continues to collaborate with sister Masajid and Muslim organizations in various activities serving
the Muslim community in particular and the society at large.
A Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Aleem Syed, and an Executive Board, Presided by Syed Afzal Hussain,
governs the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley. Both leadership teams are deeply committed to continue
its existing services and also find ways to add new programs that will help the community become
spiritually stronger and civically engaged, InshaAllah.
Sh u ra C ounc il than ks B r . R af iq ue Ah m e d f o r co ntr i b u ti ng to thi s s to ry
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
300+
SUBSIDIARY
Rowland Heights
Charter Academy
WWW. I CSGV.O RG
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Islamic Center of South Bay
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Wee ke nd S c h o o l
I nte rfait h A c t i vi t i es
Soc ial Se rv i c es
In 1982 a group of Muslim families in the South Bay came together to establish a communal place for
prayer, which became the Islamic Center of South Bay, also known as Masjid Lomita.
Initial activities were held at the Courtyard Mall Community Room in the Rolling Hills Estates but as the
community grew, the founding members of the Masjid decided to rent larger spaces at the Torrance
YMCA and then at the Hermosa Beach Community Center.
Three years later in 1985, the community was able to acquire a property of their own which is now their
spiritual home in the City of Lomita. Currently the Masjid brings together about 500 Muslims from across
South Bay area for Friday prayers. It collaborates with the neighboring communities and jointly organizes
Eid prayers bringing together about 5,000 Muslims from the South Bay area.
After the community moved to the new location in Lomita, its attendance began to increase gradually.
Over the years additional adjacent properties were also purchased and added to the original property in
order to accommodate the rapidly growing community.
The Lomita Masjid initially offered the daily prayers and then later added more services. These services
include special programs during the month of Ramadan and also a Zakat service for the needy. Several
times a year ICSB conducts open houses and invites their neighbors of all faiths and traditions to introduce
Islam and help them know more about the Muslim community in the area.
Established
City Approves New Building Project
1982
2013
ICSB is also an active member of the South Coast Interfaith Council and together with representatives
from other faith groups; it promotes mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among people of
faith in the South Bay Community al large.
The Islamic Center of South Bay has now undertaken the project of building anew its Masjid and related
facilities for washroom, social and dining hall, a youth center, classrooms for early childhood education
and adequate parking for the community.
The City of Lomita approved the project in the month of October, 2013, after some legal battles. The project
involves the construction of a brand new 14,320 square foot building that would consolidate prayer area,
classrooms, restrooms, a library, administrative offices, kitchen facilities and an indoor dining area. The
new facility hopes to provide a comfortable and spacious venue for worship and also for community
gathering.
The Islamic Center of South Bay is deeply committed to offer the best possible spiritual educational
programming and services to the Muslims community. At the same time, the ICSB also believes in
affirming the dignity and honor of all human beings.
The ICSB will continue to strive for peace, liberty and justice for all with the help of it s diverse professional
community members in the areas of medicine, engineering, business, law and other disciplines. It hopes
to honor its name, Masjid al-Noor, the place that brightens the life of all.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
500+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
5,000+
W W W. MA S JIDA L N OOR.ORG
During these open house visits, guests share meals with the ICSB’s congregation and learn about the Masjid’s
positive impact on the South Bay community. Also by the Grace of God, the community’s youth have been
excelling educationally and are also active in creating a drug free atmosphere in the South Bay area.
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Islamic Community
Center of Redlands
| Sp e c ial Ra m a da n P r o g r a m s
Established
Moved to Larger Property
2007
2010
The community realizes that not having a full-time Imam is not helpful. They have begun searching for a
qualified Imam who can fulfill the community needs and help move it forward from being a community of
immigrants to also being a community of next generation.
The Islamic Community Center of Redlands (ICCR) came into being in 2007 in the city of Loma Linda. The
pioneers of the community initially rented a small multipurpose room of a Church to meet at. After about
three years in 2010, the leadership decided to rent a larger property closer to the Loma Linda University to
serve its sizeable population of Muslim students and faculty.
The Islamic Community Center of Redlands is committed to foster a welcoming environment to all
Muslims and also providing high quality activities. This commitment and sustained and diverse services
to the community helped Muslims in Loma Linda and neighboring cities realize that it cannot continue to
function in a rented facility and hence they had put a word out to begin their search for a permanent place.
As has been the case in so many other communities, a generous Muslim has donated 5 acres of open
land to establish the Islamic Community Center of Redlands.
The leadership also surveyed and found that the closest Masjid for the Muslims living in and around
Loma Linda was about 10 miles away. The fact that it is inconvenient and impractical for Muslims in Loma
Linda to travel ten miles to pray and in consideration of the fact of Muslim faculty and students in the Loma
Linda University, the leadership decided to commit self itself and lay the seeds to establish a Masjid /
Community Center for its local Muslim population.
The leadership has begun securing the necessary permits to begin the construction and continue its
growth and invites Muslims from across Southern California to help them in realizing their dream of
having a Masjid that they can call their own which not only will continue to serve the Muslims of today but
generations to come, InshaAllah.
Thus, came into being the current location of more than 3000 sq. ft. which serves more than 100 families.
It brings together more than 300 Muslims each Friday. And, the Islamic Community Center of Redlands
also organizes a monthly event designed specially for families to come together, study Islam while
deepening their relationships with each other. In addition, the ICCR hosts about 800 Muslims at each of
their Eid prayers.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
The ICCR’s leadership believes in continuing to provide the community with Islamic education and also
hands on workshops on different aspects of professional and spiritual life. It also organizes annual events
and partakes in regional events like Open Mosque Day, among others.
250+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
5,000+
W W W.ICCREDL A N DS.ORG
Although ICCR offers many services but it also feels that new services has to be added, such as social
services and special programs for children including an after school program. The ICCR also partners
with sister organizations such as Al-Shifa Community Clinic and SAHABA Initiative for free health care and
to feed the hungry and homeless, etc.
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Islamic Education Center of
Orange County
| Hajj & Um r a T r av el
| Yout h C am p s
Established
Expansion
1996
2006
The IECOC community has outgrown the current expanded facilities and it must now look for even a
bigger space to accommodate the growing community needs, particularly for youth and families.
In September of 1996 the Islamic Education Center of Orange County (IECOC) was founded by Imam
Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini in Costa Mesa, California.
The IECOC initially served less than 50 families and since its expansion in 2006, it serves over 2000
families in the greater Orange County area. Around 200 Muslims attend the weekly Juma prayers and
over 1000 attend the Eid prayer.
Currently, IECOC provides daily and Juma congregational prayers. Friday night youth group activities
and weekend Islamic school and Thursday night Dua Kumayl reading which brings a large number of
Muslims from around the greater Orange County.
In the next five years IECOC hopes to provide more social and civic engagement activities, a pre-school,
full-time Islamic school, a library and a community center for both youth and elders
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
200+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
1,000+
W W W.IECOC.ORG
.
IECOC’s strengths lie in its focus on fellowship, a strong series of community programs and youth activities.
Like any other community, the Islamic Education Center of Orange County has challenges which it faces,
particular bigger space to meet the growing needs and corresponding and sustaining source of revenue
to maintain and grow its operations.
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Islamic institute of
orange county
| Ful l t im e I s l a m i c S c h o o l & Pa rt tim e Co lle ge
| I nte rfait h & S o c i a l J u s t i c e Pa rtn e rs h ips
During the early 1990s when the Garden Grove based Islamic Society of Orange County was growing
faster than it can accommodate the congregants, a group of Muslims (Dr. Jamal Nour, Dr. Farouk Abdul
Wahed, Yassir Tabbaa, Said Elasha, Samir Hasan, Munther Sharani, Dr. Bahjat Kurd Misto and Salah
Bissar among others) came together to create a new space and named it as the Islamic Institute of Orange
County, now popularly known as Masjid Omar al-Farouk.
Established
New Building
Full-time School Established
College of Islamic Studies Established
1991
2005
2007
2012
Studies is headed by Shaikh Mustafa Umar as its Director of Education and provides accredited courses
in Islamic learning.
The IIOC is a partner with several interfaith and social justice organizations, such as Orange County
Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) and Orange County Communities Organized for
Responsible Development (OCCORD), among others.
To accommodate more than 1500 Muslims for Friday prayers, the IIOC organizes two separate prayers.
The IIOC is also a founding member for organizing the joint Eid prayers in partnership with the Irvine and
the Garden grove Masajid. This joint eid prayer was started at Eid al Adha in 2012 and brings in more than
10,000 congregants.
The pioneering group initially rented a small office space in Anaheim (Manchester & Katella) and
organized the community as Masjid Omar al-Farouk. Couple years later, CalTrans had to demolish this
building to make space for the expansion of the I-5 freeway. This forced eviction compelled to find new
and larger space for the Islamic Institute of Orange County.
The IIOC has expanded its weekly programs for Elders, Breakfast for Women, Friday Family Night and also
a free mobile clinic in collaboration with Al Shifa clinic. The IIOC aspires to and working toward adding a
gym for the youth, a community center for social events and a larger parking space.
After researching for an appropriate place and raising initial funds, the community decided to acquire an
old union hall property on State College Blvd with immediate access to one of the major freeway (91) that
connects the Counties of Orange and Riverside. With the help of God in 2001, the community decided to
demolish the old structure and erect state of the art building.
While IIOC takes pride in its ethnically diverse community and being home to an elementary school
and an Islamic College, it struggles to attract young professionals and sustainable financing to meet the
growing needs. The IIOC leadership, staff and a dedicated team of volunteers are committed to continually
serve IIOC as an invaluable resource for Islamic education and service to its own and all neighboring
communities.
SUBSIDIARIES
Immediately after the inauguration in 2005, IIOC served about 200 families with the basic services
such as, five daily & Friday prayers, and a weekend Islamic school. In 2006, the IIOC brought in Shaikh
Mohammed Faqih as their full time imam who was also asked to broaden the educational and spiritual
programming. The IIOC leadership launched a drive to recruit active community members to be part of
several committees, such as for Outreach/Dawa, Public Relations and Youth Affairs among others.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
Minaret Academy (Elementary School)
College of Islamic Sciences
1,500+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
10,000+
W W W.IIOC.COM
In 2007 a full-time school was established serving students from pre-school age to 6th grade. This full
time school is now known as the Minaret Academy. As the community continued to thrive, serving close
to 3000 families, the IIOC decided to also create College of Islamic Studies in 2012. The College of Islamic
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Islamic Society of
Corona Norco
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Ele m e n tary S c h o o l
Soc ial Se rv i c e Pr o g r a m s
The Islamic Society of Corona Norco (ISCN) began in 1988 from the home of a Corona resident. Local
families would pray in congregation and even hold Friday prayers at his residence. In just about two
years the Friday prayers began to draw a large enough group of community members who could not be
accommodated in this residence and hence they decided to rent a small office suite for Friday prayers.
In 1991 the rental office suite also became too small for the community so they rented a small warehouse
larger than the office suite. During the following few years, the then leadership realized that the rental
model is not sustainable. And they started raising funds for a permanent facility large enough to host the
existing congregants with some extra room for growth.
By 1999 the community raised modest but sufficient funds to buy a property as an investment in the
name of Islamic Society of Corona-Norco. They let the property appreciate for few years and sold it after
few years at a profit. Additional funds were then helpful to purchase a large 4.3 acres open land around
the year 2000. This large parcel of land is now home to one of the largest Masjid campus in all of Inland
Empire area.
By 2005, Phase-I of the ISCN building project was completed which included a multi-purpose room,
few classrooms, administrative offices and restrooms. The multi-purpose room continues to serve as the
main prayer hall until the purpose built ground up Masjid building will be fully constructed and ready to
be used.
Established
Moved to Warehouse
Purchased Current Property
Phase-I of Building Project Completed
1988
1991
2000
2006
The ISCN also offers a vibrant youth group program for teenagers.
From a small congregation of about fifty Muslims, the ISCN now hosts about 1000 congregants each
Friday and about 3,000 for the Eid prayers. Currently, the ISCN estimates more than 1000 Muslim families
within 5 to 8 miles of its campus living in the Corona-Norco area.
The last and third phase of the project is now in progress since early 2014. This structure will become the
Masjid of the ISCN. This two storey and more than 40,000 sq. ft Masjid will be able to host more than 500
congregants within its structure while the adjacent multipurpose room will be used for large Friday prayer
gathering. Both structures combined will then be able to host more than 1000 congregants at any given
time. The ISCN leadership hopes this entire campus will be able to accommodate the community for at
least another decade
.
The ISCN leadership estimates three to five new families are moving into the friendly city of Corona each
month. And this growth may even increase in the years to come. This growth pattern is duly noted by the
leadership who has already started thinking about the community needs for 2025 and beyond.
The ISCN also participates in variety of annual events with the City of Corona and also collaborates with the
larger interfaith community. It also plans to operate a soup kitchen for those in need in the City of Corona.
The Islamic Society of Corona Norco continues to work with the larger Muslim communities of Southern
California with the spirit of “working together” and “moving forward.”
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
1,000+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
3,000+
W W W.CO RON A MU S L IMS.ORG
Between 2007 & 2009, the ISCN completed its second phase of the project that includes a stand alone
one storey school building and a full basketball court for the youth. The ISCN currently provides Saturday
Arabic school, full-time Qur’an school, prime care academy with full time school for elementary grades.
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Islamic Society of Orange
County (Garden Grove Masjid)
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Ful l t im e I s l a m i c S c h o o l
Mort uary S erv i c es
Food Pant ry
Fam ily C ou n s eli n g
More than half a century ago in the city of Fullerton a small group of Muslim families came together to
study Holy Qur’an during weekends. The word got out and after a short while the group grew big and
the host could not accommodate all the guests. It was then that Dr. Habibullah Khan invited this Quranic
study group to meet at his Montessori school for the study of Quran during weekends and also use it as
an interim Masjid.
Later in 1976 this study group decided to invest in a property that can be used as a temporary Masjid
and also weekend school for children. That group was comprised of: Drs. Mahboob Khan, Farouk Abdul
Wahed, Mir Mulla, Muhammad Quereshi and Ali Tabikh who later became the pioneers of what is now
known as the Islamic Society of Orange County, one of the largest Masjid in the nation and popularly
known as Garden Grove Masjid and also as ISOC.
Established
1978
This rapid growth and accompanying needs helped the Islamic Society of Orange County to establish
the Orange Crescent School in 1983. Popularly known as OCS, this full time school is home to more than
600 students from elementary to 8th grade. Orange Crescent School made ISOC one of the first Masajid
to have a full time Islamic school in all of southern California.
The community kept growing and the leadership realized that it is about time to build a ground-up purposebuilt larger Masjid. The project was launched in mid 1990s and completed by the year 2000. This brand new
much larger two-storey Masjid complex was named as Masjid ar-Rahman. This new facility was comprised
of more than 30,000 square feet and could accommodate more than 2,000 congregants.
Community needs keep growing over these years in all directions and the ISOC leadership decided to now
build a full service Islamically compliant mortuary. No other Masjid in all of southern California had this important
need met. The project was launched and completed in the year 2008 and was later expanded in 2012.
The addition of mortuary to the ISOC complex with a Masjid and a school already in place helped coin
the term, from “cradle to grave” full service community. The story of ISOC is one of communal growth and
prosperity. In a matter of three decades, the community grew from 10 families to now more than 1000
families, literally a growth of 1000%.
The Mortuary serves not only the ISOC community but people from all over southern California bring their
deceased to be processed and served in an Islamic manner. The ISOC mortuary is a full service facility
and averages servicing one death a day.
The ISOC also organizes special educational and spiritual programs, sometimes independently and also
in collaboration with other Masajid and Muslim organizations. For example, the ISOC’s Qiyam programs
during Ramadan bring 3000 to 4000 community members. Each evening during Ramadan, ISOC hosts
1000 to 1500 people for Iftar and for Tarawih prayers. The ISOC’s parking lot is also one of the largest
among all Masajid in southern California.
Their first property in Fullerton was sufficient only for couple of years as the group grew even bigger which
forced them to begin exploring a larger facility to serve the growing community. In 1978, the group did
find an old church up for sale. They found this property to be ideal because it already had a permit to
be used as a place of worship; was adequate enough for the existing community and also came with a
sizeable parcel of land and it was in the city of Garden Grove where there was no Masjid at the time. The
community was excited and purchased this entire property that later served as Masjid, weekend school
and also as a community center. Regular services and a spacious place brought many more new people
and the community began to grow at a much faster pace.
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In collaboration with two other Orange County based Masajid, namely, the Islamic Center of Irvine and the
Islamic Institute of Orange County (also known as Masjid Omar al-Farouk), the joint Masajid Eid al Adha
prayers in the Anaheim Angels baseball stadium brings about 20,000 Muslims, making one of the largest
Muslim gatherings in the nation.
What makes ISOC vibrant, as a community is the many essential services that it offers in addition to the
daily prayers and Friday prayers. These services include funeral service, a full-time school, weekend
school, youth group, family counseling, adult education, women’s programs, and social services such
as a food pantry for the needy.
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ISOC is nationally known also because of its internationally acclaimed religious director, Dr. Muzammil
Siddiqi. His religious and academic credentials makes Dr. Siddiqi one of the most sought after religious
scholar
1996 by the local community and also nationally and internationally. Dr. Siddiqi not only serves the
Muslims of ISOC but of all of southern California and beyond. He is also a sought after speaker in schools
of higher learning and many houses of worship and government agencies. Dr. Siddiqi has the distinction
of personally meeting more than one President of the United States and Pope[s] John Paul-II and also the
current Pope Francis. Dr. Siddiqi is widely respected across the faith spectrum and is also recognized as
one of the 100 most influential leaders in Orange County.
The Islamic Society of Orange County is home to a richly diverse Muslim community with origins from
more than one hundred different countries. Additionally, ISOC welcomes different schools of thought
and contains both Sunni and Shia worshippers.
As always and with everyone, growth brings challenges. The current facility cannot expand any more
geographically. Yet, the leadership stays alert for any properties in ISOC’s immediate vicinity that is up
for sale. Only more expansion will help ISOC add more new services, particularlyfor its growing elder
community; a shelter for families in need and also a free community medical clinic.
Each week, the ISOC serves more than 10,000 people and twice as many during Ramadan and special
programs. The ISOC estimates serving more than 200,000 people each year. The Islamic Society of Orange County’s leadership hopes that they will continue to serve all Muslims from
across all schools of thought and traditions for many more decades. The ISOC also takes pride that many
of its current leaders grew on its very grounds decades ago. This young cadre of leaders brings much
energy and enthusiasm to make ISOC even more service oriented.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
1,500+
SUBSIDIARIES
Orange Crescent
School
Muslim Mortuary
W WW. I SO CM A SJI D.CO M
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ORANGE CRESCENT
SCHOOL
CONGRATULATES
the
of Southern California
on its
20th Anniversary
March 21, 2015
www.orangecrescent.com
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(ISSV)
| Sp e c ial Ra m a da n P r o g r a m s
It was at a small rental room that was used as a prayer hall. That was toward the end of 2010. The Muslims
who were gathering at this rental room in the City of Simi Valley knew they have to find a better place,
which can serve as their Masjid. This group of ambitious Muslims with only $2,000 in savings gathered
around and pledged to themselves that they will come together and realize their dream of having their
own Masjid to serve the Muslims of Simi Valley.
Established
2010
The ISSV hopes to add more services for the community, such as: marital and family counseling and also
a tailored program to educate and empower the community to civically engage in a meaningful fashion
for the common and the greater good.
The Islamic Society of Simi Valley continues to cooperate and collaborate with the communities in the
greater Simi Valley area and also across SoCal as it believes that only together we can all serve better,
InshaAllah.
A word was put out. More people came together. Few fundraisers and social gatherings generated some
more funds, sufficient enough to actively search for a suitable property to serve as their future Masjid.
Instead they found an old church up for sale. Subsequent negotiations ended around December of 2012
when the church agreed for a price of $740,000.
In a short period of time, the 10 families of Simi Valley were able to raise the necessary funds with the help
of friends and family from across Southern California. A dedicated place as Masjid helped the nascent
community blossom within few months to about 50 families. Today, the Islamic Society of Simi Valley
serves more than 150 families.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
150+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
3,000+
W W W. I S LA MICS OCIETYSV.ORG
The Islamic Society of Simi Valley holds daily prayers, conducts marriage services, organizes soup kitchen
events and even provides communal iftar during weekends in the month of Ramadan. The Eid prayers are
celebrated in a large rental hall that brings together more than 3,000 Muslims.
The Islamic Society of Simi Valley takes pride in its programming, particularly for and by the sisters of the
community. The community is comprised of a diverse Muslim population which helps everyone to enrich
themselves with learning from and about others heritage.
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La Mirada Masjid
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|
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I nte rfait h ac t i v i t i es
soc ial se rv i c e p r o g r a m s
La Mirada Masjid from its very inception in April 2001 had kept “community services” in front and center
of its vision. As a result when it was incorporated as a non-profit religious organization, it used the name
Muslim Community Services, Incorporated. Thus the La Mirada Masjid was born in the City of La Mirada
but serving all the neighboring cities, since 2001.
Established
2001
By the grace of Allah (the Most Glorious), the La Mirada Masjid community, although relatively modest in
size compared to many other Masajid in SoCal, continues to strive to optimize its resources and offer as
many services as possible.
The La Mirada Masjid is a proud member of Shura Council and is equally committed to the spirit of working
together and growing together to serve for the pleasure of God, the Most Compassionate.
Although La Mirada Masjid was started in a rental facility but now sits on a 16,000 sq.ft tract of land with
6,600 sq. feet of purpose built brand new building that includes a prayer hall, classrooms, administrative
offices and a kitchen.
The mission of La Mirada Masjid says it all: “The La Mirada Masjid is a family that provides a loving and
open atmosphere where Muslims and their children come together and become loving, spiritual and
devoted servants of Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala),”
True to its mission, the La Mirada Masjid is open all days and for all daily prayers and brings together more
than 200 Muslims for Juma prayers. Additionally it provides several community services, including but
not limited to:
• Weekend Quran & Islamic School
• Weekend Quran study for adults
• Weekend science & math tutorials
• Family Friday Night for young adults & adults
•Free health care services
•Special programs during Ramadan for Muslims
•Interfaith dinners and programs for non-Muslims
•Open Mosque Day, sharing the message of Islam with non-Muslims
•Collaboration with area schools of higher learning, such as Biola Unviersity & Whittier College
•Annual Invocation at the La Mirada City Hall
•Collaborative projects/services with community based service organizations, such
as Helping Hand, ICNA Relief, Al-Shifa Clinic,UPLIFT Charity, ACCESS Services, South
Asian Network, etc.
•Back to School Give Away Program
•Founding Member of La Mirada Interfaith Association
•Interfaith Dialogs
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FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
200+
SERVICE
AREA
La Mirada &
Surrounding Area
W W W. M AS JIDL A MIRA DA .ORG
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Los Angeles Latino Muslim
Association
| I slam ic E d u c at i o n t o M u s lims a n d n o n -M us lims
| Me nt oring & S u p p o r t t o r eve rts
| Pu bl ic at ion o f I s l a m i c ed u catio n a l m ate ria ls in S pa n is h la nguage
Some Los Angelenos Latinos who lived around the Islamic Center of Southern California wondered what
the religion of Islam was all about. One day their curiosity led them to visit the Masjid to ask questions
about Islam and Muslims. They were disappointed because the Islamic Center neither had a Spanish
speaker who could explain Islam to them nor were there any materials in Spanish language. This
interaction led to conversations between these curious-to-learn-Islam Latinos and the Islamic Center.
The group was eventually offered a meeting place in the Masjid and late Dr. Hassan Hathout became
their Islamic education teacher.
Over the course of a very short time, some members of this Spanish-speaking group understood Islam
for what it is and even accepted Islam. The small group of five in 1999 grew to more than fifty in 2000. It
was then in the year 2000, the group decided to establish themselves as LALMA, La Asociacion Latino
Musulmana de America.
LALMA’s mandate was two fold. One was to get together and study Islam in their native language of
Spanish and the other was to serve as a support group to the newly revert Muslims. Many of the LALMA’s
non-Muslim family members were not very enthused about their siblings’ conversion to Islam. LALMA
gatherings also offered a forum for the members to share their conversion stories, new challenges and
equally new opportunities.
Established
New Building
Full-time School Established
College of Islamic Studies Established
1999
2005
2007
2012
late Dr. Hassan Hathout and later immersion at the Masjid Umar al Khattab with late Dr. Fathi Osman,
deepened their faith and broadened their understanding of Islam.
LALMA now holds classes on Islam every Sunday in Spanish at Masjid Umar al Khattab, and has
empowered the Latino Muslim community by creating various LALMA groups at different Masajid
including the Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove, Islamic Institute of Orange County in
Anaheim and Masjid Al-Rahman in Fontana. LALMA is also frequently invited by the Catholic Churches
where they are asked to share Islamic teachings in Spanish language. Additionally, LALMA holds
workshops on public speaking and religious outreach.
In the next five years, LALMA hopes to add social services and leadership workshops to their existing
portfolio of educational programs and outreach services. California being home to the largest Spanish
speaking population, LALMA believes their expertise to present Islam in the Spanish language with textual
and contextual knowledge is strategically important in this region. LALMA is committed to continue its
educational program through publishing essential books in Spanish language as well.
As is the case with most non-profit institutions, LALMA struggles for financial resources to not only sustain
but also grow its work. All members of LALMA realize that as pioneers their struggle is inevitable but they
all take joy in the fact that their work is critical and foundational for others to build upon. LALMA invites the
Muslim community to join them in making Islam in California as it was in Andalusia, at one time.
FOCUS
Islamic Education Services in Spanish Language
LALMA continued to grow throughout the years. Their educational program comprised of basic Islamic
principles attracted many new members from the Latino community. LALMA offered teaching in Tawheed,
Quran, Hadith & the Sirah of Prophet Muhammad along with the history of Islam, all in Spanish language.
In a short few years, the room at the Islamic Center of Southern California could no longer accommodate
their growing numbers. This led their migration from the Islamic Center of SoCal to the Masjid Umar al
Khattab. At the Masjid Umar al Khattab, late Dr. Fathi Osman welcomed them with open arms and became
their spiritual mentor and teacher. The initial grounding in the Islamic Center of Southern California with
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MASJID BILAL ISLAMIC CENTER
| Ful l t im e S c h o o l
| Yout h m e nt o r i n g
The rich history and tradition, of this community, which evolved from a few committed Muslims meeting
in a house, spans more than half a century. Originally formed in Los Angeles during the 50’s, following the
message of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the community evolved into mainstream Islam under the
leadership of his son, Imam W. Deen Mohammed.
The Bilal community has been an intricate part of Los Angeles history for over fifty years. Formerly called
Muhammad’s Temple of Islam #27 and located at 5606 Broadway Ave; the community first began to grow
under the guidance of its local minister John Shabazz. His efforts led to opening the city’s first Muslim
school in the early 60’s, which began providing private education for its youth.
Purchased Property
Reconstructed After Earthquake
Masjid Building Completed
School Building Completed
1973
1980
1999
2007
Over the next two decades the community’s growth would be phenomenal. It’s school became the largest
private African-American school in Los Angeles history, attended by thousands of children, both Muslim
and non-Muslim.
The Bilal community owned and operated businesses throughout the inner city of Los Angeles. Drive-thru
restaurants, bakeries, markets, grocery stores and gas stations including a 30,000 sq. ft. supermarket
dotted the city’s landscape. Our fish business was enormous with thousands of tons of fish being imported
from Peru and shipped into the Los Angeles Harbor.
In 1974, Abdul Karim Hasan helped establish the State of California’s first Muslim Prison Ministry program,
becoming an official advisor to the Director of the California Department of Corrections, and was the first
Muslim member of the State Advisory Committee for institutional religion (S.A.C.I.R.).
Subsequent ministers, such as Herman Rassoull and Bashee Muhammad, helped further the growth
of Muslims throughout the Southern California area. New Muslim communities would soon arise in
Compton, Long Beach, Pasadena, Pacoima, Bakersfield, and Riverside, with some as far away as Fresno.
In 1971, Abdul-Karim Hasan was selected to lead the Muslim community. Under his leadership, the
community would purchase its current property in May of 1973, which would help shape the dynamics
for Islamic growth in the city.
During the 70’s, Allah blessed Masjid Bilal’s propagation efforts, which reached tens of thousands of
Americans, including prominent city officials and some of the world’s best-known celebrities, who
attended our events.
In 1975, we began our transition to mainstream Islam under the leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. It
was through the Imam’s knowledge of the Quran, and the life example of Prophet Muhammad (SWT) that our
spiritual lives began to change. Masjid Bilal Muslims would become the first identifiable large mainstream
Islamic community in the city of Los Angeles, which spawned other Islamic centers in South L.A..
In 1977, the largest single group of Muslims from America (300), made the Hajj pilgrimage at the invitation
of Rabita Al-Islamia and led by Imam W. Deen Mohammed.
The historic building it purchased was a Los Angeles landmark. Built sometime around 1930, it was
previously owned by an African American group called the International Brotherhood of the Protectorate
of Elks. After purchasing the property for $180,000, the 40,000 sq. ft., 3-story brick building was
immediately remodeled to accommodate the community’s religious needs. The facility housed a prayer/
meeting area, 6 businesses and a full-time school.
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During the 1980’s, our building was demolished due to earthquake damage. That would begin our quest
to build a new three phase religious, educational and business complex.
The City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety approved the three-phase plan in 1999.
Phase one was to build a state of the art educational facility. Construction would begin in 2000 and the
Bilal Learning Center would take nearly 7 years to complete. The sixteen-classroom school building was
completed in 2007, with the help of overseas philanthropists, grants from the Islamic Development Bank,
Sheik Hajj Muhammad Dakhil and Family, Sister Dalal Muhtadi and Bilal Islamic Center members.
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The Bilal Learning Center has become a bright beacon of light for the city of Los Angeles. The building
is now home for the Center for Advanced Learning (CAL), a Los Angeles Unified School District charter
school that educates more than 300 students from the surrounding community grades Kindergarten
through 5th. The school has become highly successful and a leading model for Muslim communities
throughout Southern California.
In 2007, former City Councilwoman Jan Perry, with the support of the Los Angeles City Council, officially
designated the city block where Masjid Bilal is located, as Imam Abdul Karim Hasan Square. It is located
at the intersection where Martin Luther King Blvd crosses Malcolm X Way. (40th and Central Ave.)
Today, Bilal Islamic Center continues to serve South Los Angeles through dedicated community outreach
that encourages trust and understanding with our fellow Angelinos. In 2013, Los Angeles Mayor Eric
Garcetti made a special visit to see Bilal Learning Center, and praised our school’s efforts. In 2014, the Los
Angeles Board of Supervisors honored Imam Abdul Karim Hasan, along with other Muslim community
leaders and organizations, at the City Hall, during the inaugural celebration of Muslim Heritage Month in
Los Angeles.
The Masjid Bilal Islamic Center has now undertaken the second phase of the building project, which is
to a construct a new Masjid.
With Allah’s help, the community is determined to forge ahead towards the future with the same
determination and energy that has defined our more than a half-century of history. We invite you to join
and support us, as we continue to help build a God conscious and moral society that stands in South
Central Los Angeles.
W WW. M A SJI D BI L A LO NL I NE .CO M
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Masjid Gibrael
Established
1983
During the 1940’s a small house with a garage was home to a group of Muslims in San Gabriel Valley,
California. The local Muslims gathered to pray the five daily prayers and also Jumah. Within a short period
of time a few brothers noticed that the community was growing and that the mosque had to expand in
order to accommodate new members. The masjid was then renovated from the ground up and expanded
more than double its previous size. Getting many contributions from within the community, the brothers
heading the masjid were able to have the organization officially recognized in 1983 as Masjid Gibrael.
Currently the Masjid serves around 50 families and is frequented by transient Muslims. One of the unique
aspects about Masjid Gibrael is that there are apartment complexes near the center which families rent
and thus make the Masjid their place for daily prayer. When the families became financially stable they
tend to buy homes mostly around Walnut and other cities where homes are within a close distance to the
masjid. This has caused for a close-knit community to be formed which has long-time members that have
grown attached to their masjid. Close to 225 Muslims attend the Jumah prayer and most of them either
have businesses or work nearby which makes Friday prayer convenient. Additionally, the community at
Masjid Gibrael holds their own Eid prayer which has an average attendance of about 300 people.
One of the strengths of this community lies in the fact that the masjid offers a variety of services and
programs for its members including the five daily prayers, Qur’an classes for adults and children, Sunday
school, interfaith activities and iftar dinners during Ramadan.
Having an increased number of Muslim converts, Masjid Gibrael plans to have a specific service for
this new and growing demographic. Furthermore, participation in local politics is a field that the masjid
aspires to partake in along with creating a forum in which they can address contemporary issues. Lastly,
there are plans to create a plethora of interfaith activities with neighborhood churches and synagogues. It
is important for Masjid Gibrael to empower Muslim youth with sound Islamic knowledge so that they can
sustain their faith. Masjid Gibrael and its members believe that every Muslim in the community should be
involved with their local Islamic center and take a role even if it be small. They hold that American Muslims
should come out to masjid events and participate in them by being active members and working to make
better lives for future generations of Muslims to come.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
300+
SERVICE
AREA
Los Angeles
W W W. MA S JIDGIBRA EL .ORG
There is also a Muslim Elderly Care service offered by Masjid Gibrael, which is certified by the state of
California and provides dignified care to elders whose families may not be able to take care of them.
The masjid owns its own plot of land for funeral services at Live Oak Cemetery where they bury their
deceased brothers and sisters according to Islamic tradition. The community also has a program to feed
the homeless at the Union Station in Pasadena. This homeless feeding initiative has enabled the Muslim
youth of Masjid Gibrael to engage with the community at large and humbly serve their brothers and sister
in humanity.
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Muslim Mortuary &
Cemetery Committee
| I slam ic Bur i a l S ervi c es
| Legal d oc u m en tat i o N | M ortua ry & Buria l s e rv ice
| Tr an s p ortat i o n o f D ec ea s ed | ma in ta in in g o f grav e s ite s
The Muslim Mortuary and Cemetery Committee was incorporated as a religious, non-profit, tax-exempt
501(c)(3) organization in 1991 by a small group of Muslims concerned about the burial services of the
Muslims. This small group felt there is a compelling need for a Muslim mortuary service to serve the
Southern California Muslim community. This group of Muslims also consulted with the larger Masajid
who assureed their full support to this much-needed project.
These initial activities were started under the leadership of Br. Ismail Dadabhoy and the organization raised
funds from the area Masajid, leading to the start of the Muslim Mortuary Cemetery Committee (MMCC).
Soon after the first burial organized by the MMCC, the larger community realized the urgent need for such
a service and responded favorably toward this project with their moral and financial support. Muslims
were grateful not just for MMCC’s sensitivity in providing a Muslim-centric burial service but also their
round the clock (24 x 7) availability to assist and guide families in their time of loss.
The MMCC is licensed by the California Consumer Affairs Department of Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
to operate Mortuary facilities and the sale of cemetery plots in the state of California. MMCC services
include helping the grieving family with legal documentation, Islamic mortuary service, transportation
of the deceased from mortuary to cemetery, organizing Janaza prayers and an Islamic burial. This makes
MMCC a full service provider.
MMCC currently averages five burials a week and about 20-25 burials a month. MMCC estimates assisting
more than 2,600 families, since their inception in 1991. MMCC now owns Islamic Gardens (exclusive
cemetery plots for Muslims) burial lots in the following local cemeteries:
Established
1991
The Muslim burials are done in the designated area in the above listed cemeteries and for Muslims only.
The entire ground is properly maintained and each grave is adequately identified with the details of the
deceased. This helps the survivors find their loved ones easily.
MMCC realizes that purchasing land from other cemeteries has already become cost prohibitive.
Hence, MMCC plans to purchase a large tract of land, exclusively designated for Muslim burials in all
three counties of Orange, Los Angeles and in Riverside/San Bernardino. Currently MMCC makes large
volume purchase of grave spaces at discounted rates, which allows MMCC to share the savings with the
community. MMCC rate are well below the rates charged by other cemeteries.
For the most part, a group of dedicated volunteers and two staff members operate MMCC. MMCC
Volunteers and staff members not only always make themselves available (24 x 7) to the community but
also work closely with all the County Coroners and Cemeteries they serve.
FOUNDERS
FAMILIES
SERVED
SINCE 1991
Late Adam Bholat
Ismail Dadabhoy
Haroon Parekh
Muhammad Saiduddin
Dr. Atiq Siddiqi
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi
Abdul Wahab
2,600+
SERVICE
AREA
Southern California
Muslim Community
- Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster has 2500 grave spaces.
- Melrose Abbey in Anaheim has 1050 graves spaces
- La Verne Memorial Park has 390 grave spaces, and
- Montecito Memorial Park has 100 grave spaces
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MUSLIM PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL
(MPAC)
The Muslim Public Affairs Council came into being in 1986 when it was founded as the Political Action
Committee of the Islamic Center of Southern California. It then received its own 501(c)3 status in 1988 and
continued its growth, since. The organization has worked to create a dynamic Muslim American identity
and represent the interests of Muslim Americans to decision makers in media outlets, interfaith circles
and government agencies.
Initially emerging from the work of the late Dr. Maher Hathout (God rest his soul), MPAC had its first
location at the Islamic Center of Southern California followed by a group of leased offices near Wilshire
District. Springing from its role as the public relations committee of ICSC, MPAC soon after began to
hold speaking tours for various Islamic scholars, symposiums, cover media events and do other public
relations work including media interviews. Whenever there was a crisis involving Muslims, MPAC had to
respond and decided to specialize in this field independently of the Islamic Center of Southern California.
Currently having close to 10,000 individuals on their mailing list, MPAC is constantly engaged in
assisting Muslim Americans throughout the year. The organization’s work involves the framing of issues,
addressing public policies, and building relationships to aid Muslims. MPAC also believes that their work
may even extend outside of the Muslim community considering that they try to better the understanding
of Islam amongst people of other faiths. In an effort to represent Muslims in the best of ways, MPAC is
keen on building strong government relationships and also media relationships. They are focused on
understanding and bettering the situations faced by Muslim Americans today.
Established
1988
Continuing to grow, MPAC aspires to make mosques engaging and vibrant where they can become
stronger voices for the Muslim American community. With much negative portrayal of Muslims in the
media, MPAC plans to make Islam and Muslims more relevant to the American public. It is vital to address
issues such as our identity, relations with other Americans, and the needs of America and just how
mosques can play a role in fulfilling those needs.
MISSION
The Muslim Public Affairs Council improves public understanding
and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our
government, media and communities.
VISION
America is enriched by the vital contributions of American
Muslims. We promote the Islamic and American values of mercy,
justice, peace, human dignity, freedom, and equality for all.
STAFF
10+
OFFICES
Los Angeles &
Washington D.C.
W W W.MPAC.ORG
Having a presence in the media, MPAC has influenced the views of the American community greatly
through various newspaper and media interviews and has also forged strong relationships in the interfaith
arena. Many young Muslim Americans are receptive to the message of MPAC as they are currently
working to develop young leaders in the community. Despite these strengths the organization still feels
that they lack marketing in that there are plenty of areas where people are not aware of what MPAC is.
They would like to grow in terms of having more chapters and a wider circulation in addition to engaging
Muslim Americans by educating them on the importance of civic engagement.
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Orange County
Islamic Foundation
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Sp irit ual & Ed u c at i o n a l
Pr ogram s Elem en ta ry S c h oo l
Pr of e s s ion a l Fa m i ly C o u n s e lin g
It was during the mid 90’s that the Orange County Islamic Foundation started as a small masjid in a
warehouse. The community thought it would be appropriate to have a quality masjid and raise the bar
along with other masajid in the area. Brother Mohannad, one of the pioneers of the community, recalled
an incident that occurred with an Imam who once visited an out-of-state masjid in which the Imam entered
the masjid to perform wudu but found the bathrooms so filthy that he ended up going to a gas station to
perform wudu.
Brother Mohannad cited this example to show how sometimes we as Muslims accept such low standards
in our masajid. Since its official recognition as a religious organization in 1996, the community at OCIF
believed in striving for excellence, especially since ihsan or excellence is one of the principles of Islam.
OCIF aimed from the very beginning to be an all-inclusive masjid open and welcoming to all Muslims,
those who are observant and those who are still searching.
After leaving the small warehouse OCIF was originally in, the community raised some funds and also
took a loan to purchase a new building for the Masjid. In one remarkable incident, the pioneers of the
community recall when a random man attending Juma prayer approached the khateeb after the khutbah
and asked how much of the loan was left to pay off. The next day, the masjid found a check written in the
exact amount to pay off the loan.
Established
1996
OCIF currently serves 800+ families and growing. Its Juma prayers bring about 300+ Muslims from
Mission Viejo and vicinity and its Eid prayers bring together more than 2500 Muslims. The OCIF
community seems to be very receptive to the open-masjid model and also because of its array of services
including spiritual education, weekend and full time school, daily, Friday & Eid prayers, Qur’an classes,
family counseling, singles events, marriage and funeral services, sports, open mosque day event, daycare
center for the elderly and family potlucks.
Another unique service that OCIF provides is of family counseling with professional and licensed
counselors.
In addition to a vibrant youth group the OCIF also organizes women specific activities and an outreach
program with all faiths in the neighborhood. Although there are many services that OCIF currently offers,
the Masjid plans to expand its services even more in the next five years. For example, OCIF would like to
host a SAT Prep course for youth and similar other activities that will empower young Muslims to be fully
integrated as productive citizens of the society at large.
OCIF is known to have a strong outreach program across the faith spectrum and has been able to sustain
strong relationships with several churches and synagogues in south Orange County. At the same time,
OCIF has an equally rich in-reach program with the Shia communities in the area.
OCIF continues to work with the local government and has been able to partner in installing one of the first
interfaith displays in the region.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
300+
EID
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
2,500+
W W W.OCIF.ORG
From the very outset, OCIF has been very intentional in creating a welcoming environment for all Muslims
from across the spectrum, those who practice and those who are simply curious. Although OCIF believes
they have succeeded in developing the model but also feel there is always more that they can do. OCIF
also believes strongly that the Masjid’s leadership must be comprised of a well-balanced mix of senior
people with experience and also young Muslims who can learn from them.
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Shia Ithna’asheri Islamic
Jamaat of Los Angeles (SIIJLA)
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Sp e c ial M u h a r r a m & R a m a da n Pro gra m s
Sp irit ual & Ed u c at i o n a l P ro gra ms.
Wee ke nd S c h o o l
The Shia Ithna’asheri Islamic Jamaat of Los Angeles (SIIJLA) was formally inaugurated on April 25, 1981
under the leadership of Marhum Gulam Abbas Dhala. A handful few dedicated families pitched in and
raised sufficient funds to purchase a Church that was eventually converted as “Hussein Imam Bargah,
also known as the Husseinia.”
The Imam Bargah’s formal inauguration was held on the 18th of Dhul Hajj, 1404 Hijrah corresponding to
the 1400th birthday of Imam Hussein (may Allah’s peace be upon him) and the 15th of September, 1984.
Over the past 34 years, SIIJLA has sustained a steady growth with numerous families moving to the Los
Angeles area. This growth forced the leadership to expand its facility to accommodate larger number of
congregants. Dr. Mohsin Ali played an important role in the extension project that was completed in the
month of July, 1999. The expanded new facility is now home to the popular weekend school, a dedicated
hall the sisters which gives them comfortable and independent space to benefit from various activities
and educational programs.
Established
1981
SIIJLA takes great pride in organizing Imam Wiladat celebrations and Wafaat commemorations. At the
same time, SIIJLA also undertakes various humanitarian activities and events for the needy, sometimes
by themselves and other times in collaboration with interfaith partners.
The SIIJLA leadership is currently engaged in developing a “succession plan” to safeguard its religious
and diverse cultural values. The SIIJLA leadership is also deliberate in recruiting young and energetic
Muslims who can maintain and also advance the pioneers’ legacy in serving the Muslim community in
particular and the society at large in general.
The SIIJLA community needs have grown in the areas of but not limited to marriage seminars, leadership
and youth development programs among others.
SIIJLA is a close-knit community with a firm commitment to a welcoming environment for all. It also
believes in celebrating its richly diverse community whose contributions makes SIIJLA a unique spiritual
and educational institution.
SIIJLA initiated its humble beginnings with approximately 15 families and now has a vibrant community of
approximately about 100 families. The Friday prayer brings together about thirty Muslims and about 200
of them also attend the Eid prayers.
FRIDAY
PRAYERS
ATTENDEES
150+
SERVICE
AREA
Los Angeles
WW W.L A JA MA AT.ORG
Currently the Masjid provides the weekend school for young students who come from numerous centers
of Southern California. SIIJLA also organizes special programs during the month of Muharram and
Ramadan. World-renowned scholars are invited to speak at SIIJLA all around the year, but especially
during Muharram and Ramadan.
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UMMA CLINIC
The UMMA Community Free Clinic was a quixotic idea by the then Muslim medical students of UCLA in
response to the infamous Los Angeles unrest in 1992. Deeply rooted in their Islamic faith, the young Muslim
medical students firmly believed that the City of Los Angeles can be healed and they have a role to play.
The founders were bold in their vision for a free community medical clinic but modest in their initial plans. But
the timing and the socio-political climate in Los Angeles was ripe for change and the desire to rebuild the
City. The idea rapidly garnered support from the office of then local Councilmember Rita Walters and also
the City of Los Angeles. In addition, the UCLA faculty also extended its critically important technical support.
The adage – “God helps those who help others” proved true to the letter in case of UMMA community
Clinic, especially during it’s formative years. With a $700,000 federal grant, about $150,000 in-kind
donations (furniture & equipment) secured by Dr. Rushdi, a founding member and generous community
support, the UMMA Community Clinic was well on its way from a quixotic idea to a reality.
The site identified for the clinic is at Florence and Hoover, two blocks from the flashpoint of the 1992 civil
unrest, where truck driver Reginald Denny was brutally beaten at Florence and Normandie. What stood
previously on the grounds of the UMMA Clinic was a true eyesore for the community--a boarded up
old child care facility that was being frequented by drug addicts and prostitutes. The City, through the
vision of the student founders, constructed a state of the art center for healing on this site. The UMMA
Community Clinic founders’ vision also included “education” and “training” for medical students and
resident physicians. From its inception to this day, medical students from UCLA and also international
medical students rotate through UMMA as part of their training. The student evaluations reflect that
UMMA has been a valuable part of their training with a first hand exposure to community-based medicine
in underserved areas.
UMMA operated on a lean budget of $150,000 annually in its early years by relying on a strong base of
volunteer physicians and undergraduate volunteers, mostly from the Muslim Students Association (MSA)
at UCLA. The Muslim students at UCLA organized a student based organization (UMMA Volunteer
Program or UVP) that to this day gets funding from the university to support the students in volunteer
activities at UMMA and UMMA sponsored health fairs in the community.
84
Established
No. of Staff: 2 | Budget: $150,000
No. of Staff: 40+ | Budget: $6+ Million
1992
1996
2014
The Federal Quality Health Center (FQHC) designation is a remarkable achievement for UMMA as it is
the highest such designation awarded to community health centers. To this day, UMMA remains the
only Muslim faith based FQHC in the nation. This designation also required UMMA to become more
comprehensive in its care and to expand scope of services to address health disparities and increase
access to care for the residents of South LA.
From a modest $150,000 budget in 1996, the UMMA Community clinic now operates with more than
$6 Million budget and with a full time staff of more than 40 team members. In 2009, President Obama
recognized the UMMA Community Clinic as a beacon of light from the blight years of early 1990s in the
City of Los Angeles.
UMMA expanded its services to the community by opening a second site, the Fremont Wellness Center
and Community Garden at John C. Fremont High School. In keeping with the collaborative spirit of
UMMA’s history and success, the Fremont Center is collaboration between UMMA, LAUSD and the Los
Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. The project is unique in that it allows UMMA to work to address the
underlying causes of disease in our inner cities, such as poor access to parks, recreation and healthy food
choices. The Land Trust operates the community garden, where residents can grow their own fruits and
vegetables and students from the high school can lead health education classes, thereby empowering
our patients to make healthy choices. The clinic is divided in half, one segment for the students to receive
care in a confidential manner, and the other side is for the community, both with private entrances. Fremont
High School also has a very high-risk student population, with rates of disease among the highest in the
region and one of the highest dropout rates in the country at 47%. So the Fremont project again serves to
highlight UMMA’s focus on serving those at greatest risk.
In 2014, UMMA launched the Muslim Health Education Program as its another collaborative initiative,
this time with the community. It is a program to allow UMMA to better outreach to the Southern California
Muslim community, in partnership with local Masajid. The program involves UMMA hosting educational
programs targeted to seniors and includes a wide range of health topics, cooking demos, exercise, field
trips, spiritual components and opportunities for socialization. The program has been very successful at
the Islamic Institute of Orange County and is now being expanded to other Orange County Mosques in
Garden Grove and Irvine among others.
85
UMMA Community Clinic estimates assisting more than 40,000 community members during the last
two decades majority of whom were uninsured from low income and limited income households..
Currently, UMMA provides a combination of primary care, elderly care, birth care, pediatric services
and comprehensive care to families. UMMA Community Clinic also works closely with other community
based health care organizations whose specialized care services such as mental health among others
complement their services.
The Muslim students turned doctors established UMMA Community Clinic takes pride in its deep
belief in serving the humanity through care and compassion. It could not have flourished but because
of the extra ordinary group of dedicated and mission driven staff and sustained support from the Muslim
communities.
PATIENTS
SERVED
40,000+
WWW.UM M ACL I NI C.O RG
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UPLIFT CHARITY
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Soc ial Se rv i c es
Emp l oym e n t & S k i l ls D evel o pme n t
Hom e l e s s F eed i n g
UPLIFT Charity was the first non-proft orgnazation in Southern California specifically created to collect
and distribute zakat funds locally in accordance with the principles of the Sharia and teachings of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh). UPLIFT’s main goal is to find low income invidiuals and families that are eligible to
receive zakat funds and to provide them with the resources necessary to make them self-sufficient. Since
its founding in 2006, advice and guidance has been sought from trusted scholars in order to maintain the
integrity of the zakat program.
Creating a Muslim run charity to collect and distribute local zakat funds was a life long dream shared by all
of its founders: Owaiz Dadabhoy, Jacob Bholat, Fuad Dadabhoy and Omar Dadabhoy. These individuals
not only created the organization but also acted as UPLIFT’s original case managers, covering Orange,
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Later, with general funding, UPLIFT hired its first and then a
second professional staff member to provide greater services and individualized attention to the 500
plus families they assist each year. Now in its ninth year, UPLIFT is ready to expand its territory even further
and plans to gradually reach into portions of Los Angeles County later in 2015.
Established
2006
The timing of UPLIFT’s founding was also a great benefit. Founded in 2006, UPLIFT had time to develop
the resources it needed before the Great Recession came in 2007 and later when the Arab Spring drove
thousands to Southern California. The recession had a great impact on the local community. With each
passing month, dozens of addtional clients were calling UPLIFT to save them from losing their home,
keep their utilities on, provide clothing for their children and to put food on their table. Then, with tragedies
taking place all across the Muslim world, asylees and refugees came pouring in from Burma, Egypt, Iran,
Iraq, Palestine and Syria. Again, with the help of the local Muslim community, UPLIFT was able to obtain
the necessary resources to assist all of those who called.
Typical UPLIFT clients have recently lost their home or apartment and are living in motels, their cars or on
the street. Many families may also be near eviction or may be unable to pay for utilities, food or life saving
medications. UPLIFT is often called upon for even small things that many of us in the community take for
granted. Some clients just may need some furniture, resources to help them find a job, a few nights in a
hotel or a bus pass to get around.
The organization provides nearly 1,000 packages of food for families during Ramadan which includes a
full box weighing 25-30lbs that includes rice, honey, dates, oil, lentils and much more. UPLIFT also hosts
an annual Eid al Adha carnival in which about 1000 previously assisted individuals attend.
The team at UPLIFT continues to introduce additional value added services and programs including
seminars for resume building and financial planning. UPLIFT’s strength exists in its ability to visit people
where they reside in order to provide the best service and to understand their situation in the fullest way.
As the needs of the community grow and as UPLIFT continues to expand the resources in its network,
it hopes to provide additional seminars, workshops and programs to help ensure that all local Muslims
have a chance to become self-sufficient.
When creating the organization, UPLIFT wanted to change the way that zakat dollars were administered
locally. Their first decision was to utilize 100% of the zakaat funds they collected on local families in
desperate need. Their second decision was to think of the recipients of zakat, differently. They would be
refered to as clients, treated with the upmost dignity and would be listened to. A standardized application
was created and clients were required to provide proof of income and other documentation to ensure
that the potential client met the criteria necessary to qualify for zakaat. However, clients were not required
to come to an UPLIFT office and wait in line for long periods of time. Instead, all clients were met where
they resided. By seeing their liviing conditions and having an in depth conversation, UPLIFT volunteers
and staff were able to address the particular needs of each client by creating an individualized action
plan. This plan committed UPLIFT to assisting the client, but also committed the client to meeting certain
criteria, including looking for employment and applying for government benefits. This system not only
meets the short term and immediate needs of its clients, but also moves them towards self-sufficiency.
88
SERVICE AREA
Orange County, Inland Empire &
Parts of Los Angeles
W W W. MA S JIDGIBRA EL .ORG
89
SPONSORS
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Please mark your Calendar…
Saturday MAY 16th, 2015
4th
Anniversary Fundraising DINNER
LA MIRADA MASJID
Agenda: Pay-off LOAN
Speakers: Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi
Sheikh Alau’ddin El Bakri
Where: FULLERTON Hotel, 1500 S. Raymond Ave, Fullerton, CA
Please buy tickets & attend:
$50/person; $100/couple; $125/family(4); $500/table(10)
Buy Musalla for your beloved one’s you lost:
1-$2000/2-$3000/3-$4500
to pay-off the LOAN
LA MIRADA MASJID/Muslim Community Services, Inc.,
14225 Imperial Hwy, La Mirada, CA 90636 www.masjidlamirad.org
562 500-2042/562-991-7143
(111)persons
for $111
to support the
ICYL
In the Name Of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Dear Muslims: Assalamu Alaikum W.R.A
Please include
me, I will make
the difference
Insha-Allah
On the occasion of the New Hijri Year of
1436,
The Islamic Center of Yorba Linda (ICYL) is asking for your generous
donation of ($111.00) monthly for one year. We want you to be one of the
(111) ICYL Masjid’s Project pioneers. One Hundred and Eleven bothers
$ 12,321
111 x $111 = ard the
w
per month to
Masjid
me in
Please count
and sisters who will donate ($111.00) per month for supporting ICYL.
Allah (SWT) said: “ Those who build the houses of Allah, are believers
in Allah and the Day after” Please do not miss this opportunity to serve
and support the goals and objectives of your community’s Masjid. You
may donate on behalf of your parents, spouse, son, or daughter. Please invite
your Muslim friends and family members also. May Allah bless you all.
Your Name: ……………………………………………………………………….
Your address: ……………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………..
Your phone # ……………………………………………………….…………….
Your e-mail: ……………………………………………………………….……..
Please check one: My donation will be made by check, Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover.
CVC (on back of card): ………………………Account # : ………………………………………………..
Exp. Date: ……………………………………..Signature: …………………………………… ……………………...
All donations are tax deductable. Please make your generous donations payable to The Islamic
Center of Yorba Linda (ICYL). Non– profit tax ID: 13-4336637
Our address is: 22609 La Palma Ave. Suite 205 & 206 Yorba Linda, CA 92887
Assalamu Aalaikum W.A
The Islamic Center of Yorba Linda Invites you
to join in the religious, educational and social
activities they have at the Center.
1 Friday prayer at :1:15 pm
2 Youth program Friday evening (6-8 Pm)
3 Saturday Tafseer (After Fajir)
4 Sunday Islamic Fiqh studies (After Fajir)
5 Tuesday Hadeeth, (after Isha)
6 Thursday KhaterahSuratu Alkhaf (Afetr Isha)
7 Sisters only class on Tuesday (11-12:30
8 Arabic 101, Thursday (6-7) and Arabic 102 (7-8) pm
9 Sunday Islamic School (10:00-1:00 ) pm
10 - Family and youth night is every third Friday (7-9) pm
The center provide many other services per appointment.
Please call our religious director:
Mahmoud Harmoush for more information.
Please visit us at: www.icyl.org
Dear brothers and sisters: The Islamic Center of Yorba Linda
has a plan to buy or build its own community center to serve
the Muslim community in the Anaheim Hills / Yorba Linda region.
And is asking for your generous financial support.
We are locating a space ( school, house of worship, industrial
building, or open land) to purchase and modify to suite our need.
Please help in this noble project. All donations are tax deductable.
Please make your generous donations payable to The Islamic
Center of Yorba Linda (ICYL). Non profit tax ID: 13-4336637
Our address is: 22609 La Palma Ave.
Suite 205 & 206 Yorba Linda, CA 92887
Please contact our Center's president
Br. Amir Malik at: 714-512-7034
Or Our Religious Director Br.
Mahmoud Harmoush at : 951-704-9997
In the name of Allah,
The Most Gracious,
The Most Merciful
CENTER OF SOUTH BAY-LA
Congratulates
The Islamic Shura Council Of Southern California
On Its 20 year anniversary,
March 21st. 2015
Honoring the past,
Treasuring the present,
Shaping the future.
INSTITUTE OF
KNOWLEDGE
CHAPLAINCY
INITIATIVE
On behalf of my co-board members Taher Dadabhoy and Imtiaz Mohammady, I hope this announcement finds you
and your family in the best of health and Imaan inshaAllah.
In the fall of 2013, the Institute of Knowledge (IOK) Board and Strategic Planning Committee members sat down in
a series of meetings among themselves and with select community members to discuss how IOK, a unique
educational-services provider, can further its efforts in the SoCal region. These meetings were focused on outreach
initiatives to identify areas and people most in need. Among the most pressing needs was to establish an outreach
program geared specifically towards Muslim campus life. So we envisioned a Chaplaincy initiative that will enrich
the lives of Muslim students and foster their Muslim identity through meaningful educational and spiritual support
services on campus.
With this in mind and as we begin this new year of 2015, we are pleased to share with you two special
announcements:
1. IOK will embark on the development of a new project, a regional Chaplaincy initiative to serve Muslim students
on campus.
2. This new project will be steered by the newest members of the IOK family,
Shaykh Jamaal Diwan and his wife Shaykha Muslema Purmul, two exceptional
individuals who are known for their passion, dedication and desire to serve the
community at-large.
We understand that this area of service is fairly new to the Muslim community in general and devising a sustainable
plan will come with many challenges. Thus, our undertaking for the first year will be on a pilot-program basis so we
can learn and improve. For the coming weeks, Shaykh Jamaal and Shaykha Muslema will begin conducting a
feasibility and needs assessment to develop a tentative implementation plan for the short-term, which through
research and development, will lead to establishing best practices. Furthermore, the plan of action will be on a
smaller scale focusing on one campus initially, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). This will guide us on
how to operate on a larger scale in the future by including more campuses and adding additional personnel for the
long-term inshaAllah.
With the launch of this new Chaplaincy initiative, the entire IOK organization is extremely excited to serve the
Muslim students on campus. We strongly believe that this important engagement will help nurture healthy
spiritual development and a strong Muslim identity. May Allah swt grant us sincerity and steadfastness in serving
Him and seeking His pleasure. Ameen
Sincerely,
Nomaan Baig
Founder and Director
Institute of Knowledge
WWW.INSTITUTEOFKNOWLEDGE.COM/CHAPLAINCY
Islamic Society of Corona-Norco
465 Santana Way, Corona, CA 92881
951-736-8155
Email: info@coronamuslims.com
www.coronamuslims.com
Like us on Facebook: Islamic Society of Corona-Norco
ISCN is an independent, non-profit, religious organization. Its mission is to assist Muslims
in America to preserve their religious heritage and customs and to create a sense of
community amongst the followers of Islam. ISCN members shall contribute peacefully and
democratically to the diversity and pluralism of the American society.
Place to pray and Meet the Community
Facility:









Separate men’s and women’s prayer halls, restrooms, and wudu areas
Classrooms for various educational activities
Kitchen
Multi-purpose room
Administrative offices
Opening in Ramadan 2015
Conference Room
In Sha' Allah
Parking lot
Playground
Women’s lounge area
Programs:








Da’wa Center
Youth Groups for Boys and Girls
New Revert Muslim Men’s calls on Islam
Sister’s Islamic Halaqa
Elders Group
Community Services
Mobile Health Clinic
Free Legal Clinic
The Islamic Society of Corona-Norco
Become an ISCN Member!
Subscribe to ISCN Weekly Newsletter Mailing List at
info@coronamuslims.com
Help us build our Masjid Join our RACE to 333 Program
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Islamic Society of Corona-Norco School
951-264-0746
Email: iscnlearningcenter@gmail.com
Congratulates
The Islamic Shura Council of
Southern California
on its
March 21, 2015
Honoring the Past ~ Treasuring the Present
Shaping the Future
Academic excellence in an Islamic environment
A full time Islamic School - Pre-Kindergar ten through eighth grade
Al Huda Islamic School
12227 Hawthorne Way
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Call:310.973.0500
www.alhudala.com
Services: 5 Daily prayers, Qur’an classes, New Muslim Classes, Sat/Sun School, Youth programs
12209 Hawthorne Way
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Call: 310.973.8000
www. ichla.org
Proud member of Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
Islamic Center of
Hawthorne
Commited to enhancing the understanding of Islam, encouraging dialogue,
protecting civil liberties, empowering American Muslims, and building coalitions
that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Greater Los Angeles Area Office
714.776.1847
info@losangeles.cair.com
ca.cair.com/losangeles
Congratulates
The Islamic Shura Council of
Southern California
on its
ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CONGRATULATES
March 21, 2015
Honoring the Past
Treasuring the Present
& Shaping the Future
of Southern California
on its 20th Anniversary
March 2015 ~ Jumada At-Thani 1436
Www.masgreaterla.org
Facebook: Muslim American Society - Greater Los Angeles Chapter
1 Al-Rahman Plaza
Garden Grove, CA 92844
Tel: (714) 531-1722
www.isocmasjid.org
ISLAMIC
RELIEF
USA
WHEN SHE
GOES HOME,
SHE’S JUST
AS COLD.
WOULD YOU
GIVE HER A
BLANKET?
PLEASE, GIVE GENEROUSLY.
IRUS A .ORG • 1.855.4 47.1001
ISLAMIC RELIEF USA • 6131 ORANGETHORPE AVE., STE. 450 BUENA PARK, CA 90620
119
presents
MASJID
OPERATION
MANUAL
A comprehensive guide to establishing, governing and maintaining a Masjid
MASJID
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MANUAL
GOVERNANCE
info@shuracounciL.org
GOVERNANCE
MASJID
OPERATION
MANUAL
SAFETY & SECURITY
2115 W. Crescent, Suite 261
Anaheim, CA 92801
SAFETY &
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MASJID
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20 Year History of Muslims in So Cal

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