Islamic Society 
 of 
Central Louisiana

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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

The Five Pillars of Islam

Shahada

أَشْهَدُ أَلَّا إلَه إِلَّا الله وَأَشْهَدُ أنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسولُ الله.

Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulu Allah

“I bear witness that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger.”

The shahadah is the Muslim declaration of belief in the oneness of God and on Muhammad (PBUH) as His final Prophet.  Recitation and belief in the shahadah is the first of the Five Pillars of Islam.


Learn More

Salat

Salat is the obligatory prayers, performed five times each day by Muslims. It is the second Pillar of Islam.


Prayers are prescribed at five set times of the day:


Fajr: dawn, before sunrise

Dhuhr: midday, after the sun passes its highest

Salat al-'asr: the late part of the afternoon

Maghrib: just after sunset

Isha: between sunset and midnight

All Muslims are required to performe these prayers. Muslim children as young as seven are encouraged to pray.

How to perform Salat

Siyam

In Islam, fasting (sawm or siyam) commemorates the revelation of the Quran to humanity during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. During Ramadan, all adult Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse during daylight hours. Exceptions are made for travelers, soldiers, menstruating women, and the ill, although such persons are expected to fast later when they become able.

Learn more about Fasting

Zakat

The fourth Pillar of Islam is to give alms to the poor. Muslims are supposed to donate a fixed amount of their wealth to charity every year.


Many pious individuals, from the mightiest rulers to modest merchants, give money to help out the less-fortunate by establishing soup kitchens, hospitals, schools, libraries, mosques, and the like. One of the most common forms of charity in medieval Islamic cities was to establish a public drinking fountain, where fresh, sweet water was distributed freely to all passers-by. 

Learn more about Zakat

Hajj

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.  It is incumbent on all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage, but only if their absence will not place hardships on their family. A person may perform the hajj by proxy, appointing a relative or friend going on the pilgrimage to “stand in” for him or her.

Learn more about Hajj
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