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Oakland, California, is home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the United States. Over the years, the Muslim population in Oakland has witnessed substantial growth thanks to the region's economic revolution and the development of the information technology (IT) industry that attracted educated and skilled labor. California has one of the largest Muslim populations (504,056), and this rise in Muslim communities has increased the number of mosques in the state. Oakland also features some beautiful mosques and Islamic community centers that arrange congregational prayers at prayer times in Oakland. So, let's find out about them and their services.
Established in 1990, the Oakland Islamic Center is a non-profit organization in downtown Oakland. This center is among Oakland’s most popular and most visited mosques. Moreover, it is termed 'The Castle of Da'wah' since it has attracted numerous non-Muslims to accept Islam through its Da'wah program. The mission of the Oakland Islamic Center is to spread the message of Islam and help the Muslims in the San Francisco Bay area adopt Islam as a comprehensive way of life.
In addition to the five daily prayers and Jummah prayer, the masjid offers many services, including Iftar and Tarawih prayer during Ramadan, Islamic education classes on Tajweed, Tafseer, Fiqh, Hadith, Sirah, and Hajj seminars and trip arrangements for Hajj. The Oakland Islamic Center also offers free Arabic classes for adults and distributes free copies of the Holy Quran (translated into English and Spanish). Funeral services and arrangements are also available for the Muslim community, which include ghusl and transportation.
Masjid Abu Bakr is located in the northern part of Oakland, close to the border between Oakland and Berkeley. The mosque is located in a peaceful suburban neighborhood, making it the ideal location for a close-knit Muslim community to gather and perform their religious duties. The building is a circular, concrete structure with an interior featuring simple designs, Arabic writing, and shelves of holy scriptures.
Masjid Abu Bakr can accommodate about 150 worshippers. The congregation is known to be accommodative and friendly and provides a safe and nurturing environment for Muslims of all races and backgrounds. The masjid aims to strengthen the connection of Muslims with Allah and to uphold the core values of Islam. To ensure the youth don't falter from the teachings of Islam, Masjid Abu Bakr guides parents in educating their children about the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet. Moreover, the masjid offers Arabic classes and hosts Children's School on Saturdays and Sundays to teach about Islam and Arabic.
The Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California is among the largest mosques in Northern California. Located in downtown Oakland, the congregation consists primarily of Persian and Shi'a Muslims. However, the center welcomes non-Shi'a Muslims as well as non-Muslims and is also a proactive member of the Oakland interfaith community. The Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California is the only Islamic member of the Oakland Coalition of Congregations.
Its basement has a large banquet hall that frequently hosts cultural events and weddings. The prayer room is on the top floor and is open to both men and women. Lunch is served after Jummah prayers, allowing worshippers to interact freely. The Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California also provides marriage and funeral services to the Muslim community. Lectures on religious education and other Islamic topics are routinely organized.
The Lighthouse Mosque was established in 2007 by Imam Zaid Shakir. It serves as a welcoming space for Muslims of the North Oakland community to unite in worship and safely practice and strengthen their faith. It is one of the few mosques with no denomination and serves a diverse Muslim community. The Lighthouse Mosque embraces and preaches the teachings of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad. Currently, the mosque is governed by a Majlis-e-Shura composed of 3 sisters and 5 brothers. Moreover, a rotating group of religious speakers and teachers organize classes and deliver Khutbahs. The mosque also hosts cultural and Islamic events.
The Islamic Center of Alameda (ICA) serves as a mosque and Community Center for adults and children. The center organizes religious classes, youth activities, and other educational and cultural programs for adults and children. The Islamic center also arranges social services, academic youth tutoring, and weekday and Sunday Islamic School programs. Apart from daily congregational prayers, Tarawih prayers are held during Ramadan along with Iftars on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to encourage the community to interact with one another.
The mosque holds Brotherhood and Sisterhood meetings once a week to strengthen Islamic support for the community. Da'wah programs and inter-faith dialogues are held to encourage the participation of non-Muslims in the community. Nikkah, Aqeeqa, and funeral services are also available. Besides religious activities, the Islamic Center of Alameda arranges Moms with Kids playgroups in the summer, family camping trips, and cooking classes. Counseling services for married and divorced couples, widows and widowers, children with addictions, and those needing emotional support are also available.
| Fajr | Duhur | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:12 | 13:08 | 16:52 | 19:48 | 21:05 |