Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is home to a diverse Muslim community made up of people from various ethnicities and backgrounds. Arabs, Pakistanis, Bosnians, and African Americans are among the largest Muslim groups in the area. According to the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, there are an estimated 20,000 Muslims living in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
The first Muslims arrived in Pittsburgh in the late 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that a significant number of Muslims immigrated to the area. Most of these immigrants were from Arab countries, such as Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, Bosnian Muslims fleeing the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina also settled in the Pittsburgh area.
Today, Pittsburgh is home to several mosques, Islamic centers, and organizations that serve the local Muslim community. One of the oldest and most established Islamic centers in the area is the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh (ICP). Founded in 1978, the ICP is located in the Oakland neighborhood and serves as a hub for the Muslim community in Pittsburgh. The center offers daily prayers, religious classes, and community events, including an annual Eid celebration.
Another important organization in the area is the Muslim Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (MCCGP), located in Monroeville, a suburb east of Pittsburgh. The MCCGP was founded in 1974 and serves Muslims in Monroeville and the surrounding areas. The center offers daily prayers, religious classes, and social events. The MCCGP also runs a weekend Islamic school for children.
In addition to these established organizations, there are several smaller mosques and Islamic centers located throughout the Pittsburgh area. These include the Pittsburgh Islamic Center in Wilkinsburg, the Islamic Society of Greater Pittsburgh in Moon Township, and the Islamic Center of Greater Pittsburgh in Carnegie.
The Pittsburgh Muslim community is also active in various interfaith and community organizations. One such organization is the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN), a coalition of faith-based organizations and community groups that work together to address social and economic justice issues in the Pittsburgh area.
The Muslim community in Pittsburgh has faced challenges in recent years. In 2018, the Tree of Life synagogue shooting occurred in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, killing 11 people and injuring seven others. The shooting was motivated by anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant beliefs, and many Muslims in the area rallied in support of the Jewish community in the aftermath of the attack.
Despite these challenges, the Muslim community in Pittsburgh continues to thrive and grow. Many Muslims in the area are involved in local politics and civic organizations, and Muslim-owned businesses are an integral part of the local economy. The Muslim community also contributes to the cultural diversity of the Pittsburgh area, and Muslim holidays and traditions are celebrated throughout the city.
In conclusion, the Muslim community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diverse and vibrant community made up of people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Despite facing challenges in recent years, the community continues to grow and thrive, with several mosques, Islamic centers, and organizations serving the needs of the local Muslim population. The Muslim community in Pittsburgh also contributes to the cultural and economic diversity of the area, and its members are active in various interfaith and community organizations.
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