The Islamic Cultural Center of New York is a mosque and Islamic cultural center in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, United States. It is located at 1711 Third Avenue, between East 96th and 97th Streets. The Islamic Cultural Center was the first mosque built in New York City.
| Islamic Cultural Center of New York | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Basic information | |
| Location | New York, N.Y., U.S. |
| Geographic coordinates | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Leadership | Imam Mohammed Shamsi Ali |
| Website | http://www.islamicculturalcenter-ny.org/ |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Skidmore, Owings and Merrill |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Architectural style | Late Modernism |
| Direction of facade | Mecca |
| Groundbreaking | 1987 |
| Year completed | 1991 |
| Construction cost | $14 Million |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | Main Prayer Hall: 1,000 |
| Dome height (outer) | 90 feet (27 meters) |
| Minaret height | 130 feet (40 meters) |
| Materials | Steel, Concrete, Marble, Glass |
Construction
Plans for a large Islamic center in New York originally were drawn up in the 1960s. After years of delays—which included raising funds from Muslim countries; a prolonged process of relocating tenants; and the eventual demolition of the buildings on the site—construction of the Islamic Cultural Center began in October 1984.Construction of the associated mosque was begun on May 28, 1987, the day which represented the end of Ramadan. The cornerstone of the minaret was laid on September 26, 1988.
Construction was delayed during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait and the First Gulf War. The mosque opened on April 15, 1991, for the feast of Eid ul-Fitr. In the end, more than 46 Muslim countries made contributions toward the $17 million construction cost of the mosque.
Orientation
Like all mosques, the mosque at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York is oriented toward Mecca. Consequently, the building is rotated 29° from Manhattan's north-south street grid. The precise calculation of the direction from New York to Mecca was based on the great circle that produces the shortest distance between the two cities.
Controversies
Two imams (spiritual leaders) of the Islamic Cultural Center have made controversial statements.
The first, Sheik Muhammad Gemeaha, said in an interview that "only the Jews" were capable of the September 11 attacks and "if it became known to the American people, they would have done to Jews what Hitler did."He also stated that as "Allah described it," Jews "disseminate corruption in the land" and are responsible for the spread of "heresy, homosexuality, alcoholism, and drugs."
The interview took place on October 4, 2001, a week after Gemeaha suddenly resigned as imam at the Islamic Center and returned to his home in Egypt.
In further controversial statements, Gemeaha's replacement, Omar Saleem Abu-Namous, condemned the September 11 attacks, but said there wasn't "conclusive evidence" that Muslims were responsible.
Outreach
Imam Abu-Namous engaged in a series of interfaith dialogues with prominent Muslim leaders and rabbis. Abu-Namous's successor as imam, Mohammed Shamsi Ali, continued the meetings.
See also:
(source:wikipedia)
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