Muslim Center of New York
From The Peopling of New York City
When passing by Geranium Avenue on a Friday afternoon, one is more than likely to see members of the Muslim community of Flushing lingering around and socializing after having finished their Friday afternoon prayers. These prayers were held at the Muslim Center of New York, a mosque located at 137- 58 Geranium Avenue in Flushing, just a few blocks away from the ever-active core of Flushing. The Muslim Center of New York is a vital institution to the Islamic South Asian community in Flushing, as it provides a space for the community to come together, hold prayers, and take advantage of several services. The mosque attracts a large Afghani population, as well as Pakistani and other South Asian groups.
In addition to congregating for the five daily prayers, members of the Muslim community come together for various other activities the mosque provides, such as daily Quranic sessions, classes, and occasional Islamic seminars and conferences. There is also a library within the mosque that contains a numerous amount of books pertaining to Islam in different languages. Furthermore, the Muslim Center provides personal services, such as financial help, counseling services, and matrimonial services. Currently, it is in the process of arranging funeral services, as well. To engage the Muslim youth in Flushing, not only does the Center offer Sunday school, there is also the Muslim Center Elementary School. A monthly Newsletter is published and distributed to notify the community about all this information, upcoming events, and other news.
The Center and all it offers is especially beneficial to the South Asian immigrants arriving in Flushing, as it serves as a place of comfort and a means of adjustment for those trying to settle in. The classes and services provided by the Muslim Center of New York all work toward building a strong Muslim community within Flushing, which is one of the Center’s main goals.