Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, and Virginia Beach is no exception to this trend. The Muslim community in Virginia Beach is made up of diverse ethnic groups, including Arabs, Pakistanis, and other Islamic immigrants, and it is continuously growing. According to the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Virginia has approximately 175,000 Muslims, with many of them living in the Virginia Beach area.
Arabs make up the largest Muslim ethnic group in Virginia Beach, and their community has been present in the area since the late 1800s. They originally migrated to the area to work in the shipping industry and have since established a strong presence in the region. Many of the Arab Muslims in Virginia Beach are of Lebanese, Syrian, or Egyptian descent.
Pakistani Muslims are also well represented in the Virginia Beach Muslim community. The Pakistani community is made up of immigrants who arrived in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as their children and grandchildren. They have established several organizations and mosques in the area, contributing significantly to the cultural and economic diversity of the community.
Other Muslim immigrants in Virginia Beach come from various countries, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. They have established their own mosques and community centers to cater to the needs of their specific ethnic and religious groups.
There are several mosques, masjids, and Islamic centers in Virginia Beach, catering to the diverse Muslim community. The largest and most well-known of these is the Islamic Center of Virginia, which was established in 1981. The center provides educational programs and services to the Muslim community, including a full-time Islamic school for children and an Islamic library.
Another prominent mosque in Virginia Beach is the Masjid Al-Rahman, which was established in 1992. The mosque provides a range of services to the Muslim community, including daily prayers, Friday congregational prayers, Quranic classes, and Islamic lectures.
The Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah is another important mosque in Virginia Beach. The mosque serves the local Muslim community by providing daily prayers, Quranic classes, and Islamic lectures. It also hosts community events, such as interfaith dialogues, charity events, and social gatherings.
In addition to these mosques, there are several other Islamic centers and organizations in Virginia Beach, including the Islamic Society of Tidewater, the Muslim Community Center of Tidewater, and the Darul Arqam Islamic Center.
Overall, the Muslim community in Virginia Beach is a diverse and dynamic group of people. They have established a strong presence in the area, contributing to the cultural and economic diversity of the region. With the number of Muslims in Virginia Beach continuing to grow, it is expected that the Muslim community will continue to play an essential role in shaping the future of the city.
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