Witness the rise of Masjid Bilal. This isn’t just a mosque. It’s a testament to faith resilience and community. For over sixty years Masjid Bilal has been a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ Muslim community. It began humbly. A small group meeting in a house. Now it stands as the city’s oldest mainstream Islamic community. Imagine the dedication of those early members. They built a foundation of faith and service. This foundation would shape the lives of thousands. Masjid Bilal was once located at 5606 Broadway Avenue. It evolved from a small congregation into a thriving center. The community grew under leaders like John Shabazz Herman Rassoull and Bashee Muhammad. Their efforts extended throughout Southern California. New communities sprouted in Compton Long Beach and beyond.
In 1971 Imam Abdul Karim Hasan took the helm. His leadership guided Masjid Bilal to acquire its current location. This was in 1973. The purchase of a 40000 square foot three-story brick building was a landmark moment. The building had a fascinating past. It was once owned by the International Brotherhood of the Protectorate of Elks. It housed a prayer area businesses and a school. Masjid Bilal’s school became the largest private African-American school in LA history. Thousands attended. Both Muslim and non-Muslim. The community’s business ventures were impressive. They operated restaurants bakeries and even a massive supermarket. Their fish business was huge importing tons of fish from Peru.
The 1970s saw tremendous growth in faith and influence. Masjid Bilal’s message reached tens of thousands. Prominent officials and celebrities attended their events. Imam Hasan established California’s first Muslim Prison Ministry program. He also served on the State Advisory Committee for institutional religion. In 1975 Masjid Bilal’s spiritual path changed under Imam W Deen Mohammed. This marked a shift to mainstream Sunni Islam. It established Masjid Bilal as the city’s first large mainstream Islamic community. This led to the creation of other Islamic centers in the area. Tragedy struck in the 1980s. Earthquake damage destroyed the original building. This began a long journey of rebuilding.
A three-phase plan was approved in 1999. Phase one was a state-of-the-art school completed in 2007. The Bilal Learning Center now houses the Center for Advanced Learning a charter school. It educates over 300 students. Phase two is the current project. This is the construction of the new Masjid Bilal and community center. The 65-foot minaret is a stunning feature. Visible from afar. Its construction was a spectacle. Councilman Curren Price praised its importance. He highlighted its role in the community and beyond. Phase three a five-story business and residential building is also planned. Masjid Bilal is more than a place of worship. It’s a hub for education community outreach and social justice. Its history is a story of perseverance faith and the power of community. Visit Masjid Bilal. Become part of its enduring legacy.