Mosque Maryam Explained

Building Name:Mosque Maryam
Location:7351 S. Stony Island Avenue
Municipality:Chicago
State:Illinois
Religious Affiliation:Nation of Islam (formerly Greek Orthodox)
Architecture:yes
Leadership:Minister Louis Farrakhan
Dome Quantity:1
Minaret Quantity:0

Mosque Maryam, also known as Muhammad Mosque #2 or Temple #2, is the headquarters of the Nation of Islam, located in Chicago, Illinois. It is at 7351 South Stony Island Avenue in the South Shore neighborhood.[1] Louis Farrakhan's headquarters are not on the premises.The building was originally the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church before it relocated to suburban Palos Hills. Elijah Muhammad, Farrakhan's predecessor as head for NOI, purchased the building in 1972. Muhammad was lent $3 million from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to convert the former church.[2]

The main hall in the mosque is for meetings, since it was originally the church's nave that contained pews later replaced with seats,[3] Mosque Maryam has an area within the mosque with plenty of open floor space to spread prayer rugs on which to kneel to pray. They use that area every Friday for Jumuah prayer and for prayer (with prayer rugs in general). The NOI's Imam gives the Prayers for Jumuah prayer.

Adjacent to the mosque is the Muhammad University of Islam, an educational institute for boys and girls from preschool through 12th grade.

See also

Notes and References

  1. "Mosque Maryam and The Nation of Islam National Center." Nation of Islam. Retrieved on February 26, 2009.
  2. News: David Lepeska. Farrakhan Using Libyan Crisis to Bolster His Nation of Islam. The New York Times. April 9, 2011. July 8, 2015.
  3. Book: Edward E. Curtis. Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History. 16 December 2012. 2010. Infobase Publishing. 978-1-4381-3040-8. 388.