Islamic Center of America celebrates 50 years, realization of founding imam’s vision

By Rizwan Khatik - Sat May 19, 7:38 am

Today, the Islamic Center of America is one of the most recognizable buildings in Metro Detroit, a landmark for Dearborn and a source of great pride for all American Muslims who worship and learn at the largest center of its kind in the United States.

The organization is celebrating its 50th Golden Anniversary this weekend, which kicked off with a Black Tie Gala on Thursday, May 17 and was expected to continue with Friday prayer, a carnival for families on Saturday, and a fund-raising dinner on Sunday evening to conclude the festivities.

Finding a spot to park and a place to pray is no obstacle now at the ICA, but prior to the opening of the center in May 2005, an overflow problem at its original location on Joy Road and Greenfield in Detroit forced the old Islamic Center of Detroit’s administrators to get creative.

Finding a spot to park and a place to pray is no obstacle now at the ICA, but prior to the opening of the center in May 2005, an overflow problem at its original location on Joy Road and Greenfield in Detroit forced the old Islamic Center of Detroit’s administrators to get creative.

“Due to space limitations, especially for major occasions such as Ramadan and Ashura, we often had to rent a separate hall in Fordson High School or Bint Jebail Banquet Hall to accommodate both (the English and the Arabic) congregations,” said Imam Hassan al-Qazwini, the current spiritual leader of the ICA, who moved to Michigan in 1997 to take the position.

While many area Muslims have fond memories of the old center, which was built in 1962 in order to give many immigrants their first central place to practice their faith, the new center, which serves about 10,000 local families and includes a youth academy, organization and women’s club, became a testament to the accomplishments and strength of the community when it opened, leaving members who saw it built from the ground up into its current form awestruck.

Islamic Center of America Golden 50th Anniversary
• Friday, May 18: Congregational Friday Prayer
• Saturday, May 19: Picnic,Carnival, Food and more at 11 a.m.
• Sunday, May 20: Community Fundraising Dinner at 5 p.m.

For more info contact 313.593.0000 or visit www.icofa.com