Garland, Texas is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and has a diverse population, including a growing Muslim community. Muslims in Garland are of different ethnicities, including Arabs, Pakistanis, and other Islamic immigrants, with many families having lived in the area for several generations.
Arabs make up a significant portion of the Muslim population in Garland. Many Arab Muslims are of Lebanese, Palestinian, or Syrian descent and have established businesses in the area, including restaurants, markets, and clothing stores. The Arab community in Garland has also established cultural centers and organizations to preserve their heritage and promote education and understanding of their culture and religion.
Pakistanis are also an important part of the Muslim community in Garland. Many Pakistani Muslims moved to Garland to pursue higher education or work opportunities. They have formed their own community organizations, which often host cultural events and religious celebrations, including Ramadan iftars and Eid al-Fitr gatherings.
Apart from the Arab and Pakistani Muslim communities, there are other Islamic immigrants who have established roots in Garland. These include Muslims from various African and Southeast Asian countries, such as Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The diversity of the Muslim community in Garland is reflected in the variety of mosques, masjids, and Islamic centers in the area.
One of the most well-known Islamic centers in Garland is the Islamic Association of North Texas (IANT), which serves as the central hub for the Muslim community in the area. The IANT offers a range of services, including a mosque, Islamic school, library, youth center, and funeral services. The mosque at the IANT is a spacious facility with a large prayer hall, classrooms for Islamic education, and a social hall for community events.
Another prominent Islamic center in Garland is the Islamic Center of Garland, which was established in the 1980s to serve the needs of the growing Muslim community in the area. The center offers a mosque, weekend Islamic school, and community events. The mosque at the Islamic Center of Garland is a smaller facility but has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the center is known for its friendly and active community.
The Masjid Al-Islam of Dallas, located in nearby Richardson, is also frequented by Muslims from Garland. The mosque offers a spacious prayer hall, Islamic education programs for adults and children, and a variety of community events, including lectures and social gatherings.
In addition to these Islamic centers, there are several smaller mosques and masjids located throughout Garland, including the Dar El Eman Islamic Center and the Islamic Association of Collin County, which serve smaller communities of Muslims in the area.
Overall, the Muslim community in Garland is vibrant and diverse, with a strong presence in the city. The various mosques, masjids, and Islamic centers in the area offer a range of services and programs to meet the needs of the community, and Muslims in Garland are actively involved in community outreach and interfaith efforts to promote understanding and mutual respect between different religious groups.
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