Islamic Center of Riverside explained

Building Name:Islamic Center of Riverside
Location:1038 West Linden Street, Riverside, California 92507
Religious Affiliation:Islam
Tradition:Sunni
Status:non-profit religious organization
Architecture Type:Mosque
Established:1979
Capacity:1,000

The Islamic Center of Riverside is a mosque in Riverside, California. Built in 1979, Friday services regularly attract over 1,000 worshipers.[1]

History

The mosque is a member of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California network of mosques. The building was erected in 1979–80 and designed by architect Shakil Patel.[2] The site, close to the University of California Riverside campus, was chosen to enable the mosque to serve university students as well as the wider community.[3] Along with 23 other "Islamic Centers" in California, the mosque has held an annual open house offering Californians an opportunity to learn more about Islam in the wake of the September 11 attacks.[3] [4] The mosque is known for its "interfaith efforts and welcoming atmosphere."[5]

The Islamic Center organizes an annual ceremony, held at the Riverside Convention Center. During the ceremony, all Muslims from the Inland Empire who are graduating from high schools or college are honored, and cash prizes are awarded to top students in several categories.[6] Members filled 50 cartons with relief supplies and raised over $15,000 for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.[7]

Mustafa H. Kuko became imam of the Center in 1998.[8] [9] At that time, only about 2% of those attending the Center were American-born; by 2012, about 15% were.[8] In June 2014, Kuko told The Press-Enterprise that the Center has worked hard to prevent young people from connecting with terrorist propaganda. He said that the press "overlooked what we have been doing in our communities for many years... We have been talking to our communities. We have been talking to our families."[10] On July 21, 2017, guest speaker Imam Mahmoud Harmoush delivered a speech at the Islamic Center of Riverside that drew controversy for allegations of anti-semitic rhetoric. Harmoush later claimed that his words had been misinterpreted by "politically-motivated people who fish in dirty water."[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

2015 San Bernardino attack

Syed Rizwan Farook, one of the shooters in the 2015 San Bernardino attack, and neighbor Enrique Marquez, who is currently under investigation in relation to the attack, attended prayers at the Islamic Center of Riverside along with one of the victims of the shooting.[9] [17] [18] [19] Farook and the other shooter Tashfeen Malik, who were married abroad, held their wedding reception at the Islamic Center of Riverside.[20] Farook abruptly stopped attending the center in 2014 following his marriage. The Center's director did not recall ever hearing extremist ideology from Farook, and stated that if such ideas were known, they would have tried to stop it, as Farook's actions betrayed the principles of Islam.[21] The Islamic Center of Riverside held a prayer vigil on the Friday after the shooting, extending sympathy to the shooting victims and condemning the attack.[22] [23]

Notes and References

  1. News: San Bernardino Massacre: How the Key Figures Converged. January 1, 2016. New York Times. December 18, 2015.
  2. Web site: Islamic Center of Riverside. MIT. January 5, 2016.
  3. News: Keck. David. Riverside: Islamic Center celebrates with an open house. December 4, 2015. The Press-Enterprise. October 16, 2011.
  4. News: Olson. David. Open Mosque Day set at Inland Islamic centers. December 4, 2015. The Press Enterprise. October 16, 2014.
  5. News: Gazzar. Brenda. American Muslims seek answers in wake of San Bernardino terror attack. January 4, 2016. Los Angeles Daily News. December 13, 2015.
  6. News: Potts. Michael W.. Islamic Center of Riverside Honors Students with Awards. India-West. August 4, 2006.
  7. News: Miller. Bettye Wells. Tsunami donations at record pace: Aid ; Some organizations fear the unprecedented response will lessen funds for local charities. The Press-Enterprise. January 10, 2005.
  8. News: Olson. David. Younger, U.S.-born Inland imams emerging. January 7, 2016. The Press-Enterprise. March 27, 2012.
  9. News: Nagourney. Adam. Couple Kept Tight Lid on Plans for San Bernardino Shooting. December 4, 2015. New York Times. December 3, 2015.
  10. News: Downey. David. Anti-Terror: Inland Muslims wary of being targeted by federal initiative. December 4, 2015. The Press-Enterprise. June 7, 2014.
  11. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/2/ammar-shahin-mahmoud-harmoush-us-imams-apologize-a/ American imams apologize after videos verify jihadi rhetoric against Jews
  12. https://www.memri.org/tv/california-sermon-jews-plotting-mecca-medina-allah-wants-jihad/transcript California Imam Mahmoud Harmoush Prays for Allah to Destroy the Jews: They Are After Mecca and Medina
  13. https://www.memri.org/tv/california-imam-harmoush-antisemitic-sermon-misinterpreted/transcript California Imam Mahmoud Harmoush on Antisemitic Sermon: It Was Misinterpreted by Politically-Motivated People Who Fish in Dirty Water
  14. http://www.pe.com/2017/07/31/riverside-imam-accused-of-anti-semitic-sermon-that-called-jews-tyrants/ Riverside imam accused of anti-Semitic sermon that called Jews ‘tyrants’
  15. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-riverside-imam-20170730-story.html Riverside imam stirs criticism after sermon calling Jews 'unjust tyrants' and praying to 'destroy them'
  16. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Imam-Comes-Under-Fire-After-Saying-Jews-are-Unjust-Tyrants-437727993.html Riverside Imam Accused of Anti-Semitism After Saying Jews are "Unjust Tyrants"
  17. News: The Islamic life of the California shooter left no clues, say mosque leaders. December 4, 2015. Reuters. Religion News Service. December 4, 2015.
  18. News: Blankstein. Andrew. San Bernardino Shooters Practiced for Attack a Year in Advance. December 11, 2015. NBC News. December 8, 2015.
  19. News: Thomas. Dexter. San Bernardino shooting suspect stopped attending mosque two years ago. December 13, 2015. Los Angeles Times. December 3, 2015.
  20. News: Kimitch. Rebecca. What we know about San Bernardino mass shooting killers Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik. January 1, 2016. San Bernardino Sun. December 3, 2015.
  21. News: Leaders of mosques where California shooter prayed say rampage betrayed Islam. December 4, 2015. Reuters. Reuters. December 3, 2015.
  22. News: Local Muslims Fear Backlash from San Bernardino Attack. December 13, 2015. ABC7. December 4, 2015.
  23. News: Shock at San Bernardino attacker's former mosque. January 1, 2016. BBC News. December 5, 2015.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Islamic Center of Riverside".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.