Founders
The Islamic Center of America (ICofA) was founded by Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri to perpetuate the social, moral, and religious principles of Islam in the United States as well as teach the Arabic language. In 1963, the original building for the Islamic Center opened its doors for services on Joy Road in Detroit.
By 1967, the then center had already outgrown allocated capacity and space, therefore the search for a bigger center had begun. The building location of a new Islamic center on Ford Road in Dearborn was selected in the vicinity of already established grade school and the Muslim American Youth Academy centers.
The new Islamic Center of America (ICofA) opened for services in May 2005. The Center’s new 120,000 sq. ft. includes a vast meeting hall that can be divided into several smaller rooms, an industrial kitchen, a spacious prayer room, mezzanine, offices, meeting rooms, and a library. Glazed brick was used to veneer two decorative domes at the main entrance and the round mosque at the center of the building. In addition, two 110-foot minarets were built. The center can support over 1,000 individuals’ space at prayer time.
The Islamic Center is administered by an executive committee and served by great Imams and Islamic scholars. It is reputed to be the largest mosque in North America and the oldest Shia mosque in the United States. All Muslims, and people of other faiths, are always welcome to visit.
