27 June 2007
Islamic Center of Washington Boasts a Rich History
Mosque was built with help from Muslims around the world
Washington -- The Islamic Center of Washington is impressive. Prominently situated along Embassy Row in the U.S. capital city, the mosque often is considered the symbol of the Muslim community in America. In the 50 years since its dedication on June 28, 1957, it has become one of the city’s most familiar landmarks.
The idea for the mosque occurred to prominent businessman and contractor A.J. Howar at the 1944 funeral of a Turkish diplomat. Howar was a Palestinian immigrant, a Muslim whose name had been Yousef Abu El Hawa before he came to America. During the funeral, Howar said to the ambassador of Egypt, Mahmoud Hassan Pasha, “Isn’t it a shame that the prayer for such a great Muslim is not held in a mosque?” The ambassador’s reply was to ask Howar to help build one.
The men formed a foundation to raise money and support, and the mosque was finished in 1957. Donations came from Muslim communities in the United States and from Afghanistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
At the dedication, President Dwight D. Eisenhower said: “America would fight with her whole strength for your right to have here your own church and worship according to your own conscience. This concept is indeed a part of America, and without that concept we would be something else than what we are.” (See full text of speech.)
Italian architect Mario Rossi designed the building. He had worked for years as assistant to a famous Italian, Ernesto Verucci Bey, who was Egypt’s chief court architect. Egypt sent the workmen who crafted the Quranic verses that adorn the mosque’s walls and ceiling.
The Islamic Center is a global edifice. Egypt donated a magnificent chandelier; Iran, an extraordinarily well-made, very large carpet; Malaysia, the dome; Morocco, the stained glass windows; Turkey, blue tiles; and Iraq, yellow glass.
“This was an era when there was a lot of international cultural exchange in the field of architecture,” said Mina Marefat, an urban designer who has written extensively about Washington architecture.
The building is a “monumental, respectful design statement,” Marefat said. “It is made of very good materials and has aged well.” Its style, the Egyptian classical style of the time, was a wise choice. “Had it been built to seem modern in the 1950s, it would have aged poorly.”
Abdullah M. Khouj, imam of the Islamic Center of Washington since 1984, said that since he arrived, the number of participants at prayers, held five times a day, has gone from hundreds to thousands -- he estimates that 3,000 participate at Friday prayers. Khouj said they come from roughly 75 countries -- they are visitors, diplomats, students and American Muslims, both immigrant and native-born.
A lot of cultural exchange goes on along with the praying, he said.
The center is very “ecumenical,” Marefat said, and always has symbolized cooperation among all Muslims. “It is the counterpart in Washington to the National Cathedral,” she said, referring to an Episcopal cathedral in the city that welcomes worshippers from all faiths.
Mahama Bawa, of Washington, has visited mosques in Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, yet thinks the Islamic Center of Washington is one of the most moving mosques in which he has prayed.
Bawa, who has been a regular worshipper at the Islamic Center of Washington for 15 years, said the mosque’s high ceiling is soothing -- “very good for concentration and prayer.
“Go there,” he said, “and it evokes in you a sense of spirituality and submission, a prayerful mood.”
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
