A mosque described as an integral part of the city and especially the West End for decades will hold a grand reopening Friday after $200,000 in renovations.Imam Khalil Abdul-Aziz, board president of Masjidullah, will lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon on Grant Avenue between West Third and Fourth streets. The event is open to the public. It will include a history of Masjidullah, details of the renovation project, remarks by masjid leaders and local dignitaries and a viewing of the masjid’s interior.
The mosque has been located at 321 Grant Avenue since 1969.
Imam Abdul-Wali Muhammad, the community’s leader for more than 30 years and only the third to serve in 41 years, said Wednesday the renovations, including turrets and pediments and a new stucco exterior, give the building a more Islamic look outside.
Inside, he said, “It’s much more attractive than it used to be. It means a nice environment (that) enhances operations.
“It’s been a long time in coming,” he said.
The building now also has new windows and doors and a new foyer. Carpeting, ceiling tiles and fans, wall treatments and a podium are also new, board member Siddeeq El-Amin said.
The building was once a hardware store and became home to the first local temple founded by members of the Nation of Islam. After the Hon. Elijah Muhammad passed away in February 1975, his son, Minister Wallace Muhammad was elected to be leader of the community.
According to a brief history of Masjidullah, “As Imam Warith Deen Mohammed transformed the community from the Nation of Islam to a community that practiced the religion of Al-Islam, the guidance of the Holy Qur’an, and the life of the Prophet Mohammed Ibn Abdullah, the Plainfield community continued to support the leadership of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.”
Nowadays, Friday services at the masjid attract about 150 men and 20 to 25 women, El-Amin said. Imam Abdul-Wali Muhammad said both observant Plainfielders and those from Islamic homelands around the world attend the prayer services. The masjid also offers classes in Arabic, Islamic and Quranic Studies and an after-school program. In addition, for 15 years it has operated a Muslim Community Soup Kitchen that is open to the public.
The grand re-opening comes as the Islamic observation of Ramadan fasting approaches, starting on August 11 and ending with a celebration on Sept. 10 to mark the end of fasting.
--Bernice Paglia
Bernice, that building was build late 20s early 30s. It had three stores: Epsteins, a news-stand candy ice-cream notions etc. that did a big trade from the numerous ambulatory commuters on their way to the CNJRR Grant Ave Station. There was a small one man Barber shop on the 4th Street Side. The main portion of the building and that initially occupied by the Mosque was a chain Grocery Store with meat departments etc. Originally it was "Mutual" which was acquired by 'American Stores". later renamed Acme. The presence of bigger stores like the A&P on Plainfield Ave and Front ultimately did the smaller stores in-not enough selling floor space. How do I know? The House on the SE corner had my father's office on the 4thSt. side and my mother lived there until 1968 persuaded her to move.
ReplyDeleteOld Doc,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the history of our Masjid building. No one in the neighborhood could give us this kind of story. You never cease to surprise me. Be well and you are welcome to visit us anytime.
Siddeeq W. El-Amin
I have to admit, if I didn't work on Friday I would attend. I have noticed that building as being one of the few well taken care of buildings in that area of the city....Best of luck and nice improvements!
ReplyDeleteFinally, a house of prayer that is truly a house of prayer. Plainfield has 118 "churches" on its books. With that number, we should be the holiest city in the U.
ReplyDeletes. How many of those "churches" have more than 5 people attending? And remember, they are on the books as non-tax paying.
This Masjid building is not only beautiful in its own right, but brings a wonderful message of peace and calm to the city. Let's hope its followers can bring that message to the rest of Plainfield.
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ReplyDeleteTo 7:49 p.m., I am removing your first comment and the response and I am not posting your new comment.
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