The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

History

Before Masjid Ibrahim was established in 1995, this community observed their Islamic practices and prayers in a building in the same area. The group had previously established a local community business. They then purchased land and built the present building which includes the mosque, the school, a place for prayer and for business (i.e., a restaurant and a store which sells Muslim clothing).

There are several Muslim families living around Masjid Ibrahim. The mosque also accommodates Muslims who work around this area allowing them to perform their daily prayers. In addition, the mosque runs an elementary school so that members’ children in the area can attend Islamic school easily.

Demographics

Like other mosques, it is also open to every Muslim no matter which form of Islam s/he affiliates with. The mosque is open to anyone who wants to pray. Everyday there are individuals coming to this mosque to pray the daily prayers (zuhur and ashar). They usually come from work. Approximately 50 to 60 people attend the Friday prayer. This group includes women, thought there are more men. The majority is African-Americans, but some other Muslims from around the world also attend this mosque, especially at Friday prayer.

Description of the Mosque

This mosque is very similar to the Masjid Al-Anshar in the sense of programs, associations, and community. It also lies in Liberty City, just several blocks from the Masjid Al-Anshar. The mosque is about 250 square feet of which 70% of the area is for Muslim men. Its floor is covered with an Oriental rug and its walls are decorated with elaborate Islamic Calligraphy. Five flower pots are placed inside the mosque. Together with a transparent board, they are used as signs to separate areas for Muslim women and Muslim men during prayer. A room next to the mosque is a classroom. Outside is a huge yard which is also used as a parking lot.

There are two people most concerned in taking care of this mosque. They are also considered the Imams of the mosque. However, in Friday prayer, there are other persons who become guest Imams and give the khutbah (sermon).

Through the community business, the restaurant provides/sells halal food for participants of the Friday prayer and almost all participants eat at that restaurant after the prayer. This mosque also distributes Muslim Journals, a weekly journal published by Muslim Journal Enterprises as a medium to spread the teaching of Imam Wareeth D. Muhammad and to share information about Islam and the activities of Islamic Communities that are affiliated to the W.D. Muhammad Ministry.

Masjid Ibrahim has an elementary school, the Clara Muhammad, which extends until the fourth grade. There are about 10 students who attend this school during the summer; some of them are non-Muslims and one of the teachers is a non-Muslim woman.

This community lives in a diverse neighborhood and has established a good relationship with non-Muslim neighborhood. Some non-Muslim parents send their children to this school because they trust it to be a good school, safe for their children, and close to their homes.

Donations come from the community business and from members and are used to maintain the mosque.

Programs and Schedules

1. Daily religious service (five times a day prayers).
2. An elementary school, the Clara Muhammad School.
3. Ta’lim Sunday (religious lecturing) for every one (both Muslims and non Muslims), any of sex and any age.
4. Ramadhan Programs.
5. Eid al-Fithr and Eid al-Adha celebrations.

Association with Other Communities/Organizations

The Islamic community of Masjid Ibrahim clearly states its association with the Mosque Care (W. D. Muhammad Ministry) and The Muslim American Society (MAS) led by Warith Deen Muhammad. The mosque, therefore, routinely distributes any information about Imam W.D. Muhammad and his publications such as the Moslem Journal, brochures, book, and CD/cassette, to the members of community. The mosque, however, also has a good relationship with other mosques in South Florida and other Muslim organizations in the USA, like the AMANA, ISNA, and so forth.

The Impact of 9/11

Because of its African-American membership, its close relationship with other religious communities and its neighborhood involvement in the school and ta’lim, this community was not negatively impacted by 9/11. Some people came to this community after 9/11 and asked members, “What is going on?” The community tried to explain what they believe and understand about Islam and what Muslims should do. But when people made accusations based on what they saw on TV and read in newspapers, those Muslims simply stated, “They are individuals and we are not really like them.” In short, this community did not have any special problems or concerns following 9/11. They see themselves as being just like other American communities who are very shocked by the attack. They also condemn those who were behind the tragedy, whoever they were.