In February and beyond, CAIR-LA is committed to celebrating Black Muslims’ social, economic, educational, and political contributions to our communities and the pivotal role they have played in growing Islam in Southern California.
For decades, Black Muslim leaders and community members have been at the forefront of establishing institutions that serve not only as places of worship but as centers that foster community empowerment, learning, and understanding.
During Black History Month and beyond, we encourage you to visit and support Black mosques and community organizations, including:
1. Al-Hajj Malik El Shabazz Islamic Center
The Al-Hajj Malik El Shabazz Islamic Center, also known as the Malcolm X Center, was founded in 1991 and initially operated out of Masjid Abu-Bakr Siddiq. In 2021, the center moved to its current location and has served as a place of worship for Muslims of all ages and a safe space for inner-city youth and local families in need. In addition to Islamic-based services, the center provides food, housing programs, skill development, youth education, and mental health support.
2914 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles
2. Islah LA
Islah LA is a nonprofit organization that emerged from the historic Masjid Ibaadillah community and is one of the first inner-city communities founded by American Muslims in the U.S. Since 2013, Islah LA’s community center has served southern LA and the surrounding areas by fostering a community space for Muslims from all backgrounds where faith, family, civic engagement, and economic empowerment can thrive.
Did You Know?
One of Islah LA’s founders, Imam Saadiq Saafir, also helped establish the ILM Foundation in 1998 and serves as a board member.
3. Islamic Development Center
The Islamic Development Center officially opened its doors to the Moreno Valley community in 1995. From the very beginning, its vision has been to build a balanced community that gives all people a better quality of life. It also operates a weekend school tutoring program that focuses on reading, writing, and math.
24436 Webster Ave, Moreno Valley
4. Masjid Al-Rashid
Officially opening in 2008, Masjid Al-Rashid is a small but welcoming mosque that has served between 50 and 100 regular community members for nearly two decades.
2122 E. Compton Blvd., Compton
5. Masjid Al-Shareef
Masjid Al-Shareef was one of the first mosques to be established in Southern California and has remained a cornerstone of Long Beach for decades. Shortly after its founding in the 1970s, the community quickly began attracting worshippers from every nationality, race, and ethnicity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the most diverse Muslim communities in the U.S.
6. Masjid Al-Taqwa
Established in the early 1970s, Masjid Al-Taqwa was the first mosque in the Altadena-Pasadena area. For more than 50 years, it has served as a place of worship, education, and unity for the surrounding communities. The mosque has provided Muslims of all backgrounds with weekly Jummah prayers, Islamic study classes, free nightly iftar during Ramadan, and a sense of belonging.
Rebuilding Masjid Al-Taqwa
On Jan. 8, Masjid Al-Taqwa was destroyed in the devastating Eaton Fire. Despite many being impacted by the devastation, the community remains strong and has quickly come together to begin rebuilding the beloved mosque.
Click here to support rebuilding efforts.
7. Masjid As-Salaam
Founded in 1981 with the help of the Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah Foundation, Masjid As-Salaam has served the community for more than 40 years, including large immigrant communities from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia. It also recently launched the Salaam Foundation to provide further essential services and resources to the community.
Did You Know?
The imam of Masjid As-Salaam, Sheikh Said Osman Tahir, recently published a book that takes a closer look into the significant influence of Black Muslims in LA, “African-American Muslim Communities in Los Angeles, California.”
8. Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah
Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah was founded in 1979 by a group of 10 Muslims. They held meetings in the imam’s home for a year before officially moving the mosque into its current building. Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah has emphasized unity and spirituality from the beginning by hosting Arabic classes, nightly family gatherings, and communal Qur’an readings for community members.
5450 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles
9. Masjid Bilal Islamic Center
As one of the first identifiable mainstream Islamic centers in Los Angeles, Masjid Bilal Islamic Center has played a pivotal role in shaping the local Muslim community and communities across Southern California for more than sixty years. The mosque’s resident imam, Abdul Karim Hasan, has dedicated his life to bringing the Muslim community together and remains one of LA’s most prominent Black Muslim leaders.
Did You Know?
Imam Abdul Karim Hasan was CAIR-LA’s Legacy of Service awardee at its 27th Annual Gala.
Click here to hear his story.
10. Masjid Al-Mumin
Founded in 1972, Masjid Al-Mumin is central to one of LA’s oldest mainstream Black Muslim communities. The Al-Mumin community grew from the desire to see more spaces and activities for Black Muslims and soon began offering community taleem circles where members could study Islam. The mosque also developed a food cooperative to distribute meat to families across the city. In the 1980s, the mosque established Al-Madinah School for general and Islamic education, where dozens of students attend classes to this day.
Did You Know?
One of Al-Mumin’s founders, Abdul Majeed, is credited with organizing the first da’wah program in LA.
11. Nigerian Muslim Association of Southern California
The Nigerian Muslim Association of Southern California (NMASC) was founded after several decades of community efforts. In the mid-1990s, a group of diverse Muslims established the Al-Quds Islamic Center, catering to the religious and social needs of Muslims and non-Muslims for six years. In 2002, the community revived its efforts and established NMASC. Since then, it has provided various programs and services to the community, including weekly Qur’an classes, Islamic lectures, family counseling, and bereavement support.
The ILM Foundation
The ILM Foundation is a Black-founded and -led public charitable organization established in 1998 to address social and humanitarian issues that impact our communities, and it works closely with many of the historically Black mosques across Southern California.
The ILM Foundation encourages working with humanity for good causes and, through its work, organizes interfaith volunteers to help make a difference in the lives of others, regardless of race, religion, status, or color.
Click here to help the ILM Foundation continue serving and empowering our communities.
