A DAR-UL-ISLAM HISTORY PROJECT
The People's Effort
The People's Effort
MAPPING DAR-UL-ISLAM COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES + ABROAD
The Dar-ul-Islam Movement began in 1962 in Brooklyn, NY. A few key primary and secondary sources report that at its height the community [with its headquarters at Yasin Mosque at 52 Herkimer Street], included a national (and perhaps international) network of anywhere from 25-44 Masajid.
In a July 1974 interview published in Al-Jihadul Akbar, Imam Yahya Abdul-Kareem described the process of "propagating the faith" and inviting communities to join this unique African-American Sunni Muslim movement:
"While traveling to these various cities we tablighed. In propagating the faith a few brothers here and a few brothers there began to hear and began to accept, and upon acceptance, they joined the movement. We specifically went to Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and various cities throughout the country. There were no existing communities but there was a mosque in almost every city we went to, it was not a formal type of mosque. Someone could have been using their apartment or someone's house. In one case it was on the campus of a school or something of that nature. As far as masjid per se being established, there were very few that were controlled by American brothers. The American brothers had no control except in Pittsburgh... Also in Cleveland I found out later... In Philadelphia there were a few mosques controlled by the brothers down there, but there was no "active communities" as far as I can remember."
However, to date, there does not seem to exist a comprehensive list of where those masajid were located, when they were founded, and who led them during this time. This section will first list the references which identify specific locations of Dar communities. The next section will begin to map these communities - with the aim of seeking information (personal anecdotes/interviews, archival research, etc.) to corroborate a Masjid or community's affiliation with the Dar-ul-Islam Movement.
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
"A few brothers here, a few brothers there"
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
This section includes often-cited references to specific locations or regions in which Dar communities were established.
New York Times | Jan 26 1973
"For the last three years, in a three-story building at 52 Herkimer Place in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, the Ya Sin Mosque has been a gathering spot and place of worship for a growing number of predominantly black Brooklynites who have converted to orthodox Islam and become Sunni Muslims... The Yasin, along with the larger Dar-ul-Islam Movement, of which it is a part, is one of many, mostly black groups or converts to Islam... While mosque officials would not discuss the size of the community, its presence in this area has long been noticeable along the nearby Nostrand Avenue business area..." [p. 61]
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Al Jihadul Akbar | July 1974
"We specifically went to Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and various cities throughout the country. There were no existing communities but there was a mosque in almost every city we went to, it was not a formal type of mosque. Someone could have been using their apartment or someone's house. In one case it was on the campus of a school or something of that nature. As far as masjid per se being established, there were very few that were controlled by American brothers. The American brothers had no control except in Pittsburgh... Also in Cleveland I found out later."
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Urban Muslims | 1994
"By the mid-1970's at least thirty-one mosque based Sunni Muslim family communities were affiliated with Dar ul-Islam Movement. They were located principally in cities along the eastern seaboard and in all of its larger metropolitan areas. Dar ul Islam was the largest indigenous Sunni Muslim group in the United States until 1975.
African American Islam - McCloud | 1995
"With branches in communities in major cities across America, Darul Islam is now considered by many African American muslims to be themes influential African American Islamic philosophy. It is a philosophy which makes literal use of the Quran and Hadith... Dar ul Islam under Jamil El-Amin... There are at least thirty communities in the United States and the Caribbean who have pledged their allegiance to Imam Jamil El-Amin" [p. 69 & 85]
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Islam in the United States
Nyang | 1999
"The Darul Islam Movement began to extend is sphere influence by linking up with other Muslim communities across the U.S. Within the first six years of its existence the Movement had established branches along the eastern seaboard, in the south and midwest." [p. 145]
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Black Pilrimage to Islam
Dannin | 2002
"They [Dar ul Islam] succeeded by gradually incorporating other loosely organized orthodox Muslims into a national organization. Important affiliates arose in Boston, Philadelphia, Columbus, Cleveland Washington, Durham, Raleigh, Columbia, Atlanta, Dallas, San Antonio, Sacramento, San Diego, and Los Angeles. The objective was to consolidate a devout core of worshippers in various locales, anchor them to the national organization based in Brooklyn, and expand at the grassroots level through intimate community and family contacts." [p. 68]
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Islam in the African American Experience
Turner | 2003
"Darul Islam, also called the Abode of Islam was founded in Brooklyn in 1962... Darul Islam is one of the "most influential" Islamic philosophies among African Americans with branches in many major urban areas of the United States. Darul Islam led by Imam Jamil El-Amin, has established approximately 30 branches in America and the Caribbean" [p. 233]
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
The Dar ul Islam Movement: An American Odyssey Revisited
Andrade | 2010
"All of the future advances were predicated upon the choice of Imam Yahya as Imam and his vision and guidance to make this community that became known as the Dar-ul-Islam community and then the Dar-ul-Islam Movement the most important indigenous American Muslim Revivalist Movement with communities and representation in 44 American cities under the leadership of one Imam." [p. 233]
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Mapping
the Dar
Right: Al-Jihadul Akbar Magazine | March 1974
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
MAPPING THE DAR COMMUNITIES
The above selected references to the number and locations of Dar-affiliated mosques are generally based on first or second hand personal accounts, interviews, etc. However, the pressing question remains - in order to document the history and growth of the Dar? What "evidence" might we attain to verify the claims mentioned? Might it be possible to create a comprehensive list of where those masajid were located, when they were founded, and who led them during this time? The aim of this community mapping effort is to document evidence which supports often cited, yet unverified depictions of the Dar as a national network of up to 40+ communities. The aim of this particular aspect of the project is to help preserve the history of the growth and influence of the movement. Note: The locations listed below were/are true at the time of identification in the source material. The may no longer be present there or may have evolved since the time of the Dar.
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
Project Director: Dr. Kameelah Mu'Min Oseguera | Founding Executive Director, Muslim Wellness Foundation; Assistant Professor of Psychology & Muslim Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
New York
Yasin Masjid
52 Herkimer Place
Brooklyn NY 11216
This was not the original location; the early community gathered together in each others homes - including an apt on Downing Street, one on Lewis Avenue, 777 Saratoga Avenue, 240 Sumpter Street.
Al Qasas Mosque
190-13 Linden Boulevard
Queens NY 11412
TaHa Masjid
285 Nassau Road
Roosevelt, NY 11575