Islam is the third-largest religion in the United States, and Detroit, Michigan, is home to a growing Muslim population. Muslims have been living in Detroit for over a century, and today the city is home to a diverse Muslim community that includes Arabs, Pakistanis, and other Islamic immigrants.
The majority of Muslims in Detroit are of Arab descent, with Lebanese and Yemeni being the largest ethnic groups. Arab Muslims first began to settle in Detroit in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracted by the city’s booming automobile industry. Many of these early immigrants were Christians, but over time, they were joined by Muslims, who established mosques and Islamic centers to serve their growing community.
Today, the Islamic Center of America is one of the largest and most prominent mosques in Detroit. Located in the suburb of Dearborn, it is one of the largest mosques in North America, with a capacity of up to 3,000 worshippers. The mosque was established in 1963 and has since become a cultural and religious center for Muslims in the Detroit area.
Another prominent mosque in the Detroit area is the Muslim Unity Center, located in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills. The center was established in 1993 and has since become a hub of activity for the local Muslim community. It offers a variety of programs and services, including religious education, community outreach, and social events.
In addition to these larger mosques, there are also many smaller mosques and Islamic centers throughout the Detroit area. These include the Islamic Center of Detroit, the Albanian Islamic Center, and the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit, among others.
While Arab Muslims make up the majority of the Muslim population in Detroit, there is also a significant Pakistani community. The largest mosque serving this community is the Islamic Center of Michigan, located in the suburb of Farmington Hills. The mosque was established in 1980 and has since become a center for religious and cultural activities for the Pakistani community in the Detroit area.
Other Islamic communities in Detroit include African American Muslims, who have a long history in the city dating back to the early 20th century. The Muslim Center in Detroit is one of the oldest African American mosques in the country and has been serving the community for over 90 years.
In recent years, Detroit has also seen an influx of refugees from Muslim-majority countries, including Syria, Iraq, and Somalia. These refugees have established their own communities and have been welcomed by the broader Muslim community in Detroit.
Overall, Muslims in Detroit have become an integral part of the city’s fabric. They have established their own communities, businesses, and cultural institutions, and have contributed to the city’s diversity and growth. Today, the Muslim community in Detroit is thriving, and its members continue to make valuable contributions to the city and to American society as a whole.
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