Welcome to the Islamic Center of Manhattan!
During the early 1980’s international students from countries like Morocco and Indonesia first began arriving at KSU. As the number of Muslims started growing in Manhattan the need for a masjid where the Muslim community could perform their five daily prayers as well as other Islamic activities were increasing. By the grace of Allah the Muslim community took an active role in helping establish the first masjid ever built in Manhattan. On July 2, 1982 the Muslim community was able to acquire a two-story house at the corner of Sunset and Anderson, which they renovated and converted into a Masjid.
By 1993 the Muslim population in Manhattan increased to about 350 brothers and sisters. By this time the already established Masjid could no longer accommodate the larger Muslim community. With determination and the Help of Allah (SWT), a new Islamic Center project was launched. Hundreds of letters were sent to individuals asking for donations. Brothers were sent to different cities around the U.S. to give Khutbas and collect donations. Many brothers also worked tirelessly overseas to get donations from friends and relatives. After one year of intensive searching for an appropriate Islamic Center location, the community agreed on a one-acre site of land located on the corner of Claflin and Hylton Heights. Our Islamic Center features separate prayer halls for men and women, a library, classes for Children’s Islamic school, and a social area.
Today our beautiful Islamic Center is still standing. Our community is very culturally diverse with brothers and sisters from just about every continent. The growing number of Muslims in our community range from countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libyan, Sudanese, Palestine, Pakistan, Jordan, India, and Turkey to name a few. Our Muslim community enjoys taking part in Islamic cultural and dawah activities throughout each year. The Muslim Community Association is also actively involved in campus activities such as a once-a-week Dawah table set in our wonderful KSU student Union and lectures given approximately three times during each semester. Many social events such as picnics, soccer games, and open houses are a part of what strengthens and bonds this Muslim community.
Board of Directors:
- Prof. Hayder A Rasheed (Chairman)
- Dr. Tareq Nasser
- E. Ahmat Alhadj
- Dr. Elfadil Bashir
- Dr. Helal Uddin
Executive Committee 2023 :
- President: E. Ahmat Alhadj
- Vice President: Dr. Jebril Jebril
- Treasurer: Dr. Helal Uddin
- Social Coordinator: Mr. Matiullah Shinwari
- Secretary: Mr. Andrew Morgan
