Historical Background

AMS Logo

The mosque of the American Moslem Society was established in 1938. It is the oldest mosque in the State of Michigan, and also considered one of the oldest mosques in North America.

Since the mosque plays a vital role in the lives of Muslims, many Muslims immigrants established residence near and around the mosque area. As the community’s population continued to grow, so did the mosque. The mosque has evolved from a small house to a building that occupies 48,000 square feet.

1938 to 1952

Due to the community’s growth in the vicinity of the mosque during the period from 1938 to 1952, once again the need to expand the mosque arose in order to accommodate the mosque’s increasing number of attendees especially during Friday and holiday prayers. In 1952, the AMS along with community members decided to launch the second expansion which doubled the size of the mosque. In that expansion, the green dome of the mosque was placed on its roof. In addition, the two small minarets were added. The size of the mosque increased from few thousand to twelve thousands square feet.

1952 to 1986

Naturally, largely because of the central and important role the mosque plays in the Muslims’ daily lives, the mosque became a community center for people to perform their religious duties and also to  socialize.  The number of mosque attendees increased rapidly during the sixties, seventies and early eighties.  During this period, there was a court ruling to allow the calling for prayers to be transmitted through outside speakers.  It was the first mosque in the United States to be allowed to transmit call prayers through loudspeakers. After the previous expansions, in 1986, the community again decided to expand the mosque.  The size of the building doubled from 12,000 to 24,000 square feet.  In 1982, the weekend school was added to the mosque to start providing classes for the growing number of first generation Muslims in the community.

Now

The American Moslem Society continues to be an influential masjid in Dearborn. It has come together with many donors to build a medical center that would serve the community. The American Moslem Society is still undergoing many improvements, in shaa Allah. It is in the planning stages of getting a much-needed upgrade. Of course we will always accept suggestions for the future. If you have any suggestions in mind, do not hesitate to send them to info@AMSDearborn.org. We are also accepting every form of help, so if you can help make your suggestions a reality, that will be much appreciated. Jazakum Allah Khair!