Islamic Center of Alameda

About Us ICA’s history pre-dates to two years prior to it’s official opening of November 1998, a few days before the month of Ramadan.  A handful of Muslim brothers and sisters banded together and volunteered their services to teach madrassa for the children of the Alameda Muslim community at the Afghani Cultural Center (which has now been renamed Al Quba Masjid). From the Afghani Center, the madrassa moved locations to a private home whereby the increasing number of attending children necessitated another move; this time to a 300 square foot office space rental on Lincoln and Sherman Street.  With offering classes almost everyday to the community, and with the parents of the students expressing their strong desire for a central place NOT only for a madrassa but a place for worship and other Islamically-oriented activities, the idea for an Islamic Center was born. The city of Alameda and the East Bay abound with such rich cultural diversity — whether they are immigrant born Muslims from the many different nations that share the faith, or individuals that have embraced the Islamic traditions and made it their own.   The founders of Islamic Center of Alameda envisioned a welcoming place for ALL these individuals and families making up the fabric of Islam in America. In 1998,  ICA launched its opening with daily Taraweeh Prayers during the month of Ramadan, with an opportunity for families and neighbors to congregate and share Community Iftars on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.  The weekly Brotherhood and Sisterhood meetings were also implemented to provide an opportunity to strengthen Islamic understanding and support for the members of the community.  Get togethers such as Moms with Kids Playgroup during the Summer months, Family overnight camping and Sisters cooking classes were some outside social activities that ICA organized as part of their community effort.  Other early ICA programs  were the Prison Dawah program, inter-Faith dialogue and presentations throughout