Frequently Asked Questions

No matter what your personal style is, we want you to feel comfortable at the Islamic Center. We do not have a specific dress code. We ask visitors to respect this as a place of worship and dress modestly. Women are not required to cover their hair to enter or participate in our Center, but we do request headscarves be worn in the prayer hall and during prayer out of reverence for our tradition. We have a small number of scarves available for guests at the front of the women’s prayer section.

We love babies and children at the Islamic Center! We also love having a safe and comfortable worship space for all of our visitors. There are several kid-friendly areas at the Center, so there is no need to miss a program or service if your child gets fussy. Some of our programs, such as Friday prayer service, often feature live audio streaming making it easy to listen from the comfort of your home when you can’t make it in person. During Ramadan, fundraisers and other special events, we typically provide free childcare. When in doubt, please give us a call to find out at 213.382.9200.

Yes, classes and programs are conducted in English. The only exception is classes that teach Quranic Arabic. It’s common that Quran verses are quoted in Arabic during sermons and lectures, but speakers will usually include a translation or summary. Official prayers are led in Arabic, the language of the Quran.

Yes, there are various youth programs geared toward different age brackets and interests. They include Sunday School (K-6th grades), Junior Youth Group (6-8th grades), and Youth Group (high school and college aged). Please check out the different programs to see which one is right for you.

Sunday school classes offer fun and inspiring lessons for children in grades K-6 to learn about their faith and the world around them. Find out more about the Sunday School program.

Since its founding days in the early 1950s, women have always played a key role in leadership and participation at the Center. All programs (unless they are specifically geared for men or women) are open to both everyone. All of our non-prayer events are gender integrated, meaning that mean and women can sit together and/or socialize in the same areas. Men and women pray in respective sections in the same hall for the five daily prayers. During the Friday service, men gather in the main prayer hall and women gather in the lecture hall due to space constraints.

So glad you asked! Many important Islamic Center programs and activities are run by our devoted volunteers. From distributing groceries to those in need of a little extra help at our weekly Food Pantry, aiding children in the Sunday School, taking photos for our newsletter, or organizing interfaith activities, we have quite a few volunteer opportunities for those interested. Check out how you can help.

There are various services offered depending on the level of guidance and support you need. The first step is to request an appointment with our Zakat Committee who can guide you through the various options we have available.

It’s easy to take the shahada (declaration of faith). Simply by saying “There is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God,” a believer announces his or her faith in all God’s messengers and belief in one omnipotent God.
We suggest you speak with our Religious Director first to prepare you for this important step and address any questions you may have. Once you are ready, the shahada can be taken in front of witnesses often after a Friday or Sunday program, or in a more private setting depending on your preference. Contact us for an appointment.

Check out our Highlights of the Quran program on Sunday mornings and a Message of the Quran class on Tuesday nights, which is targeted toward learning the fundamentals of the Quran. It’s a popular class among our new Muslims and a great way to meet new people. Attending classes and programs, asking questions and introducing yourself will go a long way in connecting with others in the community.