ICCA-Islamic Community Center-Atlanta

Islamic Community Center of Atlanta
The Islamic Community Center of Atlanta (ICCA) is a central meeting place for Muslims living in the Fayetteville area, a southeast suburb of Atlanta. The ICCA is an active organization, offering many educational programs related to the study of Islam for all age groups as well as providing a community center for social events.

Demographics

The ICCA has a diverse and growing membership. It is clear that the center has grown considerably since it opened in 2001. Five daily prayers are performed daily and a growing number of members are attending prayers at the masjid. During Ramadan, our nightly Iftar and Taraweeh programs attract many members.

Affiliation with Other Communities/Organizations

The ICCA is not formally affiliated with any national or international organizations. However, the community participates in an informal network of communication between the Atlanta area masjid.

Administration

The center is organized as a non-profit corporation. There are seven members on the Board of Directors elected by the community. The members help manage the daily operations of the masjid. The Board of Directors meets routinely to discuss the masjid’s operation, upcoming activities, and other events.

History

The Islamic Community Center of Atlanta began operations in November 2001. The property and building used by the masjid were purchased by Dr. Faiyaz to give the Muslim community in Fayetteville a designated place for worship.  The building has a spacious interior that is used both for prayers and as a community center for classes and social occasions.

Original renovations to the building to convert it to a masjid included a mihrâb (a niche constructed inside the wall) to orient the congregation to Mecca. An astronomer recommended by Al-Farooq Masjid of Atlanta calculated the exact latitude and longitude of the center and sent an astronomical chart to to use in conjunction with a vertical column in order to establish proper orientation to Mecca.

Other renovations include partitions installed to separate the prayer areas for the men and the women. A prayer rug was installed in the center of the building to cover the prayer area. The prayer rug is red and marked with small boxes that run parallel to the mihrab. By standing in the boxes with their heels to the back line, worshipers organize themselves into straight lines and stand shoulder to shoulder.

Men and women worship in separate sections of the prayer area. The men line up at the front of the worship space, while the women line up at the back of the rug behind the screen partitions. Members modified the existing bathrooms to accommodate required ritual ablution (washing the hands, face, mouth, and feet before prayer). The space includes an area to bathe the feet and marble stools for comfortable seating.

Activities and Class Schedules

The ICCA is open for the five daily prayers (salat) and hosts several educational programs. Examples of the educational offerings are listed below.