Building Name: | Imam Mahdi Islamic Education Center of Baltimore |
Location: | Baltimore, MD, |
Religious Affiliation: | Islam |
The Imam Mahdi Islamic Education Center (IMIEC) of Baltimore is a mosque and Islamic education center in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States.[1] It is located on 2406 Putty Hill Ave, Parkville, Maryland, 21234; the site was purchased in 2003 by donation of a local Muslim. It is a heavily fortified building, with no way in other than with a key. Unfortunately, it currently lacks any guards and the current owner of the mosque is unknown, though one can contact IMIEC leadership through their website. As with many American mosques, there is not a permanent sheikh only serving IMIEC. Learned community members, both male and female, give lectures when the sheikh is traveling. IMIEC is independently funded by community members, not by the Iranian government.
The community is largely made up of Iranian immigrants though a variety of cultures and languages are represented. IMIEC began giving many lectures in English as the community grew. The Urdu-speaking community has historically held services at IMIEC on Thursday evenings, whereas the rest of the community attends on Friday evenings. Men and women sit in the same room for prayer and khutbah, separated by a curtain. Children are free to sit on either side. A large dinner is often served after evening services.