A Mosque (Masjid) is the place where followers of Islam, Muslims, pray. They pray five times a day, and prayers are called Fajar (before dawn), Zuhr (noon), Asar (evening), Maghrib (after dusk) and Esha (night). Apart from a place for offering prayers, Mosques are used for Islamic community meetings, for the recitation of the Quran, for worshipping Allah and performing other religious activities. Quba Mosque was the first mosque ever built.
Mosques have Minartes, domes, prayer halls and a water place for ablution. They are present almost everywhere in the world, and they are beautiful and many hold significance for the tourism industry in their city. They are designed by designers and architects with extreme skill. Muslims and non-Muslims are allowed in mosques but special care has to be taken, the non-Muslims can visit a mosque and can stay there as long as they want but should not sleep or eat there. Mosques are supposed to be kept clean, and no one is allowed to enter them with shoes on their feet. Los Angeles is the city of America where Muslims live in minorities. There are more than 15 Mosques in LA.
Mosques in LA include Masjid Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, Masjid Bilal Islamic Center, IMAN Foundation, Masjid Al Mumin, the Islamic center of Southern California, IMAN culture center, Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah, Dawa Center of Masjid Umar, Masjid Tawhid, Masjid Ibadallah, Masjid Abu Bakar As Saddiq, Masjid Al Salam and Masjid Al Rasul. Masjid Omar Ibn Al-Khattab is located at 1025 Exposition Boulevard; it was opened for Muslims to offer their prestigious obligations in March 1994 (Ramadan, 1414 Hijri according to Islamic calender). It took fifteen years and hundreds of volunteers to establish this Mosque. An old woman gave her land for the building of Masjid Omar in 1978 (1398 Hijri); she desired to help in the cause of Islam and after her donation, numerous donations followed.
Masjid Bilal Islamic Center has a history of over 50 years. At first, it was owned by an African American group called the International Brotherhood of the Protectorate of Elks. Muslims purchased the property and the remodeled the 40,000sq. ft, three story building into a Mosque. In the 1980s it was damaged by an earthquake and again it was rebuilt. IMAN Foundation is located at 3376 Motor Avenue and was established in 1996. Masjid Al Mumin is located at 1635 South Saint Andrews Place. Muhammad Mosque is located at 5350 Crenshaw Boulevard. The Islamic center of Southern California is located at 434 S Vermont Ave, it is beautiful mosque which from the outside looks like an office, but the interior is completely different. Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah is located at 5450 Crenshaw Boulevard. Masjid Tawhid is located at 852 Santee Street. Masjid Ibadallah is located at 2310 W. Jefferson. All these mosques are actively serving Muslims in Los Angeles where Muslims have complete freedom to practice their religion.
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