Islamic Society
of
Central Louisiana
Services
Islamic Society of Central Louisiana
Prayer Times
IQAMA Times
Fajr
5:15
Thuhr
1:30
Asr
5:00
Maghreb
10 min after Athan
Ishaa
9:45
Next Iqama Time Change on:
Saturday July 27, 2024
About us
The history of the Islamic Society of Central Louisiana (ISCL) could be traced back to the early 1970’s when three brothers (originally from Syria) moved from New York to Alexandria to open the “Port Restaurant” in the Gus Kaplan plaza. Soon after, three more Syrian families followed the three brothers to Alexandria.
In the early 1980’s few Muslim physicians came to establish their medical practices in Alexandria and late in the same decade a wave of business man (originally from Palestine) followed suite and moved their businesses from New Jersey to Alexandria.
By early 1990’s there were about twenty Muslim families calling Alexandria home and the need for a place to hold congregation prayers grew more insisting. Few members rotated in hosting the community in their homes to perform Friday prayers until a contract was drafted with the City of Alexandria to rent the hall in Bolton avenue for Fridays and special occasions. Two years later, the community rented a two-room office in Parliament Dr. and designated the place for worship establishing the first dedicated Masjid in Alexandria.
Responding to the growing needs of the fast-expanding Muslim community, Alexandrian Muslims purchased a large building in Worley Dr. in the late 90’s before acquiring in 2011 the current Masjid on Windereme Blvd.
Today the Muslim community in Alexandria is estimated to have reached over 3000 members. It is a diverse community with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco, to name a few, are all nationalities represented in the vibrant Muslim community of Alexandria.
What Is Islam?
Islam is the second largest religion in the world as there are over 2 billion Muslims across the globe and about 3 million in the United States. Islam is an Arabic word meaning peace & submission. As a religion, Islam calls for complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of one and the only Allah [God] and that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is his final messenger.
Muhammad was the Last Messenger of God, sent to complete the teachings of Abraham. He was born in Mecca in the year 570 C.E. at the beginning of the Middle Ages. Though revered as the Final Messenger, Muhammad is not worshipped and idolatry is forbidden in Islam. All Muslims must strive to live according to the teachings of the Koran and the Sunnah.
The Quran is the final revelation from Allah, received by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from the Angel Gabriel. The Quran has not been changed since it was originally compiled following the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 632 C.E. The Sunnah is a collection of hadith [teachings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his most trusted Companions] for all Muslims to follow.
THE BASICS OF ISLAM
