Islamic Center of Topeka

Topeka is the Capitol City of Kansas and has a population of approximately 170,750 people. There are 150 churches of various denominations, one Jewish Synagogue and one Masjid at this time. Topeka is also known for the 1954 Supreme Court landmark decision, Brown vs. Board of Education, which allowed schools to be physically integrated by all races. In 1987, four Muslim families and a couple of single brothers got together and met in various places, clubhouses, community centers and individuals homes to have Sunday classes for children to learn the Quran, adults to read and discuss the Holy Quran and offer salat-ul-zuhr together. As the spirit increased in us to share Al-Islam with others, we began to look for a permanent place to worship. In 1991, we started to have Jumah in various places around the city. These sincere and devoted few founders of the Islamic Center of Topeka are, Brother Dr. Syed Akhtar, Sister Malik Akhtar, Brother Dr. Ashraf Sufi, Dr. Qaiser Sufi, Brother Harris Mustafa, Sister Nilofer Mustafa, Brother Dawar Saeed, Brother Luqman Shabazz, Sister Aliya Hazim, and Brother Omar Hazim. All the above founders have served in some positions, either teacher, president, secretary, treasurer, or board member. May Allah (SWT) reward them for their sincere efforts. In 1992, the Islamic Center was incorporated as a non-profit tax exempt religious organization. In the same year (1992), an unused, dilapidated one story structure was located at 1115-17 SE 27th St . The fundraising was started and within sixty days, Allah (SWAT) blessed us to raise about $60,000.00, al-hum-du-Lillah. Our Imam, who owns a small construction business, undertook the project to renovate this building into a Masjid. The Islamic Center opened for worship about six weeks after its purchase. By Allah’s blessings and guidance, we saw a consistent growth in numbers in our Islamic community and in our spirituality. Two years later, in 1994, a few brothers visited our Friday prayer service f