VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 64, February 1, 2009
St. Louis, Missouri

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful

Editorial:

The Holy Quran's injunction of "MANKIND IS BUT ONE COMMUNITY" could be perceived in different ways. While the status of MANKIND is on the species level, Mankind has been blessed with its rich differences in terms of religion, nationality, culture, ethnicity, gender et.c. As for our Ummah, all Muslims are ONE regardless of their nationality, culture, ethnicity et.c.

Are you aware of the history of the growth of Islam in your local community ? For Muslims especially who reside in the Western countries, it is usually a challenge to build a strong Muslim community on an organizational level and continually building through its organizational supports.

The spotlight of this issue is on St. Louis, Missouri and below is a summary of the growth of the Muslim community in St. Louis. Needless to say the importance for Muslims getting together under the rubric of an organizational umbrella and then working for the common good for the growth of the Muslim community cannot be overemphasized.

SPOTLIGHT ON HISTORY OF MUSLIMS IN ST. LOUIS

PART I:

(Daar Ul Islam Masjid)

History:

Initially in the 1950's, Muslims came to St. Louis as students and professionals and were known by their nationality rather than by their religion. These were very few, mainly from Turkey, Iran and Palestine.

In the 1960's, Muslims from Pakistan and Indian began to meet in their homes and at st. Louis University Busch Center. In 1964, the MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (MSA) Local Chapter was established. The constitution of the national organization headquartered in Gary, Indiana was followed. This attracted other Muslims for Friday prayers. The Muslims also met on Sundays at INTERNATIONAL HOUSE which was located on West Pine Street.

In the 1970's, Middle Eastern Muslims joined the group. Sunday School was started in the International Institute. Adults established the Tafsir session on Sundays. Later Sunday Activities were moved to the Stix International House at Washington University. Friday and Eid prayers continued to be held at St. Louis University.

In 1974, the ISLAMIC CENTER OF GREATER ST. LOUIS was established as a not-for-profit organization with its own constitution. Efforts were made to find a permanent facility. In 1975, a warehouse of Pitney Bowes was bought for $65,000 from Wolf's Construction Company. A long process of renovation was undertaken. Sunday tafsir, madrassa and jumma prayers were held. At any Jumma prayer one could identify FIFTY DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES.

(Above Masjid at West Pine Street is currently called BILAL Masjid and comes under the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis)

The influx of Muslims led to search for an additional facility in West County (Daar Ul Islam).


In 1980, almost five acres of land on Weidman Road was sought for $90,000, however permission to build a Mosque at this facility (now called the MAHATMA GANDHI CENTER) was denied after protests by the neighbors. Above experience was quite valuable and strengthened the Muslim community's conviction to expand and the search continued.



In 1987, extensive search led us to buy over five acres of land at 1307 Wickstead Rd (off of Weidman Rd) for $270,000. Projected construction cost phase I was $1.7 million. FUND RAISING RESULTED IN PLEDGES OF MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN ONE SINGLE NIGHT.


In 1989, a full time Islamic Day School was established at the Islamic Center on West Pine Blvd. The school was later named Al-Salaam Day School, In 1992 Groundbreaking was held at this property on Friday, November 27, 1992 and was declared MUSLIM AWARENESS DAY. Besides over one thousand Muslims, religious leaders from the Jewish and Christian communities, and County Supervisor were in attendance.



In 1993, the construction Phase I, (II and III) was started. The Board of Directors was changed to MASJLIS AL-SHURA. The first Chairperson of Majlis Al-Shura was a woman. In 1994, Phase I was completed. A new constitution was passed. The Islamic Center of Greater St. Louis, Inc became the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis, Inc.

(Bosnian Masjid that is officially called ISLAMIC COMMUNITY CENTER)

With the help of the International Institute, the Muslim community of St. Louis begins receiving Immigrants from Bosnia. The foundation hired a Bosnian Imam and the Bosnian community increased up to 25,000 in St. Louis. Today their numbers have exceeded fifty thousand in St. Louis and they have since constructed two of their own Masjids/Community Centers in the St. Louis Metro area.

In 1995, the Foundation Headquarters was moved to our new Masjid, Daar-ul-Islam. The Islamic Center of Greater St. Louis at West Pine was named the Gateway Masjid and later changed its name to Bilal Masjid.

(Muslims during Eid at the Gymnasium of Daar Ul Islam)

In 1998, the Muslim community of St. Louis hosted the convention for the ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA, well attended by about 20,000 Muslims from all over the world. The Gateway Masjid was renamed St. Louis Islamic Center at West Pine.

In 2000, the community broke ground for Phase II and Phase III on December 1. These projects included a gymnasium, a new full time school building, a library, Sunday madrassa with a total cost of $3.5 million. In 2001, Phase II and III Project started and in 2006 the gymnasium was completed.



In 2007, the new building for Al-Salaam Day School , the weekend Madrassa and the library were completed. ADS has moved into the new facility. In the past ten years many more masjids have been built in the St. Louis Metro area.

(Most of above information obtained from article compiled by Noor Ahmed & Jamil Rana)

THERE CONTINUES TO BE CONTINUED GROWTH OF ADDITIONAL MASJIDS INCLUDING (1) GRAND ISLAMIC CENTER (2) NORTHWEST ISLAMIC CENTER (3) HAZRAT ABUBAKR MASJID (INFORMALLY KNOWN AS AFGHAN MASJID), (4) MASJID QOOBA (INFORMALLY KNOWN AS SOMALI MASJID) AND MOST RECENTLY ST. CHARLES COUNTY ISLAMIC FOUNDATION.

PART II

To be sensitive to the great history of Black Muslims in St. Louis and to avoid being labeled as "immigrant focused", we would also like to highlight the vibrant and loving community of our African-American non-immigrant Muslim brothers and sisters.

" Mosque Name: Al-Mu'minun Islamic Center

Masjid Al-Mu'minun

Masjid Mu'minun originally had the name "Temple of Islam #28." It was founded in 1957 as a Masjid under the Nation of Islam. With the ascent of W. Deen Muhammad's leadership, many Masjids throughout the country have changed their beliefs and practices to comply with the Quran and Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad). This includes Masjid Mu'minun beginning in 1975.

Currently, the Masjid has a wide range of activities and services for the downtown St. Louis community. The Sister Clara Muhammad School, which is located across the street from Masjid Muminun, also had its origins in the Nation of Islam with the previous name "University of Islam." Now it is a full-time, God-centered private Islamic school (K-7). It offers the standard school curriculum along with Islamic and Arabic instruction.

PART III

Below information pertains to SOMALI MASJID formally known as Masjid Qooba.

Masjid Qooba originally started out as a musallah (prayer facility) in January of the year 2000 in two apartments within an apartment complex. Since October of 2001, it has offered a full range of many mosque services including the 5 daily prayers, the Friday prayer, and weekend children’s school. Its location in relation to the International Institute and local colleges is convenient for students, refugees, and others in the downtown St. Louis area. Unity for Refugee Welfare along with Masjid Qooba provides an important means to assisting newly arrived refugees.

Services:

Refugee Immigrant Assistance
After School program for children
Quranic Class
Help with school homework

PART IV:

St. Louis Muslim Community also hosts a branch of the national Islamic organization - CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations), actively networks with other organizations such as INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP, FAITH BEYOND WALLS, besides having its own MUSLIM YOUTH GROUP OF ST. LOUIS and ISLAMIC CULTURAL REVIVAL & ADVANCEMENT (ICRA). St. Louis also hosts the publication of THE AMERICAN MUSLIM whose Editor is Sheila Musaji.

We know that this newsletter has a global circulation reaching the UMMAH in various parts of the world. We would love to know and share the history of your City through this publication. If you would like to give us your community's history, please feel free to do so at below e-mail address: amyusuf786@yahoo.com

Jazakullah Khair