The 9 Most Beautiful Mosques In America

A mosque, or a masjid, is a Muslim place of prayer – and often a stunning display of Islamic architecture. La Mezquita de Córdoba, Istanbul’s Sultan Ahmed, and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed may be some of the world’s most magnificent mosques, but the United States has its fair share of beautiful masjids as well. Glittering in gold in Michigan or serene in white in New Mexican adobe, here are the most impressive Islamic centers from sea to shining sea.

Diyanet Center of America – Lanham, Maryland

Located just 15 miles (24 kilometers) outside the nation’s capital, the Diyanet Center of America serves a primarily Turkish community and other Muslims in the area as well. The stunning structure welcomes worshippers, while the beautiful white interior with blue and gold accents provides a peaceful place for prayer and reflection.

Islamic Center of America – Dearborn, Michigan

The Islamic Center of America opened its beautiful wood doors to Dearborn and the surrounding communities back in 2005, establishing a much-needed place of worship for Michigan’s vast Muslim population. Just 20 minutes from downtown Detroit, the mosque is the largest in the US.

Al-Farooq Masjid – Atlanta, Georgia

Al-Farooq Masjid is a local favorite among Atlanta’s many mosques, thanks to its exquisite architectural beauty – inside and out. Opened in 1980 as the Atlanta Mosque, the masjid has been expanding ever since to accommodate the area’s growing Muslim community with a halal market, bookstore, school building, library, and more.

Dar al-Islam Mosque – Abiquiu, New Mexico

Perhaps one of the most architecturally unique mosques in North America, the Dar al-Islam Mosque fits right in among the adobe structures of northern New Mexico’s town of Abiquiu. An hour north of Santa Fe, Dar al-Islam was the first planned Islamic community in the United States, and today, it offers religious instruction, workshops on Islam, and retreats for Muslims in the community and elsewhere.

Islamic Center of Greater Toledo – Perrysburg, Ohio

The Muslim community of Ohio has much to be proud of when it comes to the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. Boasting members that span across 23 nationalities, the mosque also asserts that it is committed to an “equal and vibrant representation of women.” The space includes a full-time Islamic school and offers a range of activities for members and visitors alike.

Islamic Center of Central Missouri – Columbia, Missouri

Established in 1983 as the state’s first mosque, the Islamic Center of Central Missouri is a small white building that’s especially impressive when lit up after dark. It provides a place for worship and community events for local Muslims while also welcoming people of other faiths to learn about Islamic culture and heritage.

Islamic Center of Washington – Washington, D.C.

One of the earliest mosques to be built in the United States, the Islamic Center of Washington was the largest mosque in the Western Hemisphere when it opened its doors in 1957. In addition to prayer rooms, the facility also offers a library and educational sessions on Islam and Arabic.

Assalam Center – Boca Raton, Florida

Featuring an 11,000-square-foot (1,022-square-meter) school building, offering pre-Kindergarten through 12th-grade classes and after-school activities, Boca Raton’s Assalam Center is much more than a mosque. South Florida’s Muslim community depends on the space to educate their youth and provide a peaceful respite for prayer and family functions.

Noor Islamic Cultural Center – Columbus, Ohio

Last but not least, Columbus, Ohio’s Noor Islamic Cultural Center makes this list with its picturesque setting and beautiful building. The first Islamic Center to become a polling place in Central Ohio, the mosque opened to the public in 2006, offering a place of worship as well as community areas like classrooms, lecture halls, and event spaces.