The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Leadership

While the Islamic Center of San Antonio appears hidden in its peaceful location on Fairfield Avenue, it is anything but removed from the larger San Antonio community. On the contrary, the Islamic Center prides itself on its relationships with its Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors, developing strong connections with local churches, the mayor, city officials, and the police department. Imam Yousef Said, the vivacious young leader of the Center, places the task of hospitality at the forefront of the mosque’s mission. “We try to practice our religion and to have a good relationship with the community, to open this place to non-Muslims, and to explain Islam to them,” said Yousef. “We can be one family.”

Originally from Jordan, Imam Yousef relocated to the Islamic Center from a Houston mosque in 2002. In the wake of September 11, he recognized that the Islamic Center, whose members are largely from the Middle East, India, and Pakistan, could play a vital role in San Antonio. He took it upon himself to help educate the wider community on Islam, and also to remind young Muslims that they are American Muslims first. Today, the basketball hoops outside the mosque sport Texas flags, and the Center annually holds an open house, inviting the San Antonio community to meet its members and ask questions. During the U.S. led invasion in Iraq, Imam Yousef has often preached against acts of violence done in the name of Islam in his Friday sermons. His Friday khutbas are in Arabic and English.

History

In the early nineties, members of San Antonio’s Muslim community began meeting in stores and apartments throughout the city to pray. In 1992, the community pooled resources to purchase the large, open expanse of land on Fairfield Avenue that now houses the Islamic Center of San Antonio, the city’s largest mosque. The Center opened in 1997. Today, the Center is rapidly expanding to meet the needs of its 700 regular members. Al-Madinah Academy, which currently functions as an Islamic Sunday school, will be transformed into a full-time day school in the coming years, offering a regular curriculum as well as Arabic and classes on the Koran. The Center itself is also set to expand, adding banquet halls to hold the hundreds of Muslims who break fast here daily during Ramadan, and building playing fields on the land behind the school.

Activities and Schedule

The mosque is open for all five prayers daily, and for Friday prayers from 1:15- 2:00. On Saturday, the Center holds classes on Islamic law, and on Tuesday, classes teaching the recitation of the Koran. Classes for women are held on Wednesdays, and on Sunday and Monday, classes on both the English and Arabic languages are held. Children attend Sunday school classes weekly, and during the summers, children can attend classes teaching the Koran, Arabic, and the life of Mohammed every day of the week. During Ramadan, the mosque holds iftar meals daily to break the Muslim fast.

Membership Size and Demographics

About 700 people belong to the mosque, though more than than 2000 will come to prayer on Eidh al-Fitr during Ramadan. Members are from all over the Middle East and Asia, with newer immigrants from Bosnia, Somalia, and Israel/Palestine. About half speak Arabic, with a significant Urdu speaking population as well.

Interfaith Events and Community Outreach

The Islamic Center of San Antonio is strongly involved in local interfaith activities. They hold an annual open house where they invite non-Muslims to visit the center, and hold a question and answer session. Members also visit area churches to explain what the teachings of Islam to the wider community. After September 11, members of the community formed strong relationships with the local police force and the FBI, who in turned offered increased protection of the area’s Arab-Americans and regular patrols of the mosque. The community has also participated in blood drives as a means of showing their solidarity with victims of violence. In addition to interfaith activities, the Center works closely with the San Antonio branch of the Council on American- Islamic Relations (CAIR) towards the common goal of increasing education on Islam and protecting Muslim-Americans from acts of violence.

Description

The stark white exterior and traditional domed entrance-ways of the Islamic Center of San Antonio are a surprising site in the center of the city’s medical district. The main building is dominated by an enormous prayer hall, with separate entrances for men and women. There is also a separate prayer room where women can pray undisturbed. Beside the entrance to the mosque, washrooms provide space for men and women to complete the ritual ablutions necessary before prayer. There is also a kitchen and a small library containing Arabic texts. Beside the Islamic Center, the new Al-Madinah school is a day school dedicated to educating Muslim students. Established in 2000 as a Sunday school, the academy, with three separate classrooms, nows offers summer school and classes year round in Arabic, the Quran, the Life of Mohammed, and worship.