The Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) is an Islamic center serving as a masjid, school, and a gathering place for the Muslim community in the Triangle region of North Carolina.
The Islamic Center consists of two buildings providing a main musullah (prayer hall) and a private Sisters’ musallah, education facilities, multipurpose hall and gym, library, Sisters’ areas, children’s play areas, and Al-Maidah Kitchen and Cafe.
Three shifts of Jummah (Friday) prayers are held in order to make it easy for all to attend the Friday prayers and the late timings of the third shift of Friday prayers are targeted specially for Muslim students to attend prayers after regular school hours.
Eid prayers are usually held at NC State Fairgrounds to accommodate large gatherings of the community.
Three major educational services are offered:
- Al-Furqan Sunday School for Muslim children,
- Al-Iman a full time Islamic school compliant with North Carolina education standards, and
- An-Noor Quran Academy a full-time school for Qur’an memorization alongside academic learning.
There are many regular youth activities and daily & weekly classes for adults.
Social services include zakaat and sadaqa (alms and charity) distribution and refugee assistance.
IAR offers Hajj group services managed by a qualified Hajj leader every year. IAR also offers washing, funeral, and burial services in a private Muslim cemetery in Wendell.
Community events include annual picnics and the Health Fair, which offers various free medical services and information and is open to the public.
Al-Maidah Kitchen and Cafe is open for lunch and dinner and also offers catering services.
The Islamic Association of Raleigh is blessed with the knowledge and guidance of Imam Mohamed AbuTaleb, as well as the services of countless volunteers, the Board of Directors, the Shura, and the Executive Committee.
A brief history of the Islamic Center of Raleigh
- 1981 Immigrant Muslims in the area form the Islamic Association of North Carolina (IANC). Friday prayers held at apartment complex (King’s Village) initially. Later on, Friday prayers held at NC State University Student Center. Eid prayers held in parking lots.
- 1984-1985 MSA/IANC collects money from community members to build the first Mosque in Raleigh in 1985. With many students returning to their home countries, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and local Muslims join hands to form the Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR).
- 1985 Arrival of full time Imam at the IAR from Jordan
- 1987 Completion of the second floor of the Islamic Center
- 1987 Establishment of Al-Furqan Weekend Sunday Islamic school for Muslim children
- 1989 Approval of constitution and bylaws for IAR
- 1990 Establishment of Youth Group at the IAR to organize activities for youth
- 1992 Establishment of Al-Iman Full-time Islamic School with N.C. Curriculum
- 1995 Purchase of land by IAR in Wake County for a Muslim Cemetery
- 1996 Purchase by the IAR of the land adjacent to Islamic Center
- 1998-1999 Construction initiated for the new Masjid and completed in one year. The new building has prayer hall, cafeteria and a multipurpose hall.
- 2000 Establishment of Al-Bayan Quranic School for children and adults
- 2001 Initiation of the new business for the IAR
- 2001 Purchase of a 12 acre land in Morrisville for future development
- 2001 Friday prayers in two shifts to accommodate the increasing numbers of Muslims joining us for Friday prayers
- 2002 Initiation of construction of the second phase of expansion
- 2005 Purchase 6 acres adjacent to the cemetery land
- 2008 Completion of the expansion project
- 2008 Initiation of the second business (Cafeteria)
First Ummah
Immigrant Muslims in the area form the Islamic Association of North Carolina (IANC). Friday prayers held at apartment complex (King's Village) initially. Later on, Friday prayers held at NC State University Student Center. Eid prayers held in parking lots.
1981First Mosque
MSA/IANC collects money from community members to build the first Mosque in Raleigh in 1985. With many students returning to their home countries, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and local Muslims join hands to form the Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR).
1984-1985
