Located at 19500 Ford Road in Dearborn, Michigan, the Islamic Center of America is North America’s largest mosque and the oldest purpose-built Shia mosque in the United States. Founded in 1949 when Detroit-area Muslims invited Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri from Lebanon, ICA emerged to preserve Islamic heritage and offer a spiritual home for growing Arab-Muslim communities.
A Deep Dive into ICA’s History and Growth
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First Building (1963): With financing that included a $44,000 gift from Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and local community sacrifices, the mosque opened on Joy Road in Detroit on September 20, 1963.
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Expansion: Due to rapid community growth, plans for a new facility in Dearborn began by the 1990s.
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Current Location (2005): A 120,000 sq ft mosque opened in May 2005 on Ford Road—capable of accommodating over 3,000 worshippers and hosting major holidays with space for up to 5,000 people.
Architecture and Facilities
The ICA’s stunning complex blends Islamic design with modern utility:
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Two 110‑foot minarets and a central dome soaring 65–150 feet, clad in glazed bricks and calligraphic decoration.
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The interior features crystal chandeliers, marble flooring, custom Moroccan prayer carpets, and Arabic calligraphy depicting over 100 Quranic verses .
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Additional spaces include a large banquet hall, classrooms, library, offices, and an industrial kitchen.
Programs, Services, and Community Role
ICA is more than a mosque—it’s an educational, interfaith, and social services center:
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Hosts daily prayers, Friday Juma, Quran classes, parents and children programs, interfaith events, and youth leadership initiatives.
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Operates the Muslim American Youth Academy (MAYA)—a full-time Islamic K‑8 school founded in 1997.
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Upholds a mission to promote Islamic teachings, cultural preservation, community understanding, and civic engagement.
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Often welcomes non-Muslims to campus tours and community open houses, fostering dialogue and education across faiths.
Leadership: Continuity and Vision
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Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri, the founder, led from establishment until his passing in 1994, laying the spiritual foundation of ICA.
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From 1997 to 2014, Imam Hassan al‑Qazwini guided the community as resident scholar and expanded its outreach before founding the Islamic Institute of America.
Challenges and Interfaith Solidarity
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ICA faced a 2011 bombing attempt targeting its Shia congregation—highlighting the vulnerability and importance of its security and interfaith response measures..
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In 2007, anti‑Shia vandalism sparked widespread support from local Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities—illustrating ICA’s interfaith resilience and regional influence.
Community Impact & Legacy
Today, ICA serves more than 5,000 families in Metro Detroit—approximately 80% of Lebanese origin, with many Iraqi and African American members, and remains open to all faiths and backgrounds. Its programming extends globally with relief drives for Yemen and Lebanon, local food distribution efforts (e.g., over 36,000 boxes during COVID-19), vaccination clinics, and more.
Why ICA Matters
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Size & Architecture: A landmark – the largest mosque in North America and architectural marvel.
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Cultural & Historical Significance: A key institution in the Arab-American and Shia Muslim narrative in the U.S.
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Educational & Social Hub: Offers schooling, youth development, legal aid, and charitable services.
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Interfaith Leadership: Actively engages with communities across religious and cultural lines.
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Resilience & Legacy: Overcoming threats with unity, ICA endures as symbol of faith, identity, and civic engagement.
A Beacon of Faith & Culture
The Islamic Center of America stands as both a spiritual refuge and a cultural landmark. From its founding by Imam Chirri in 1949 through its monumental expansion in 2005 and robust community programming today, ICA embodies the spirit of Islam in America—grounded in faith, education, unity, and resilience.
Whether you’re seeking worship, learning, interfaith engagement, or community with depth—ICA offers all in one purpose-built institution.