The Most Beautiful Mosques in America

Hassan Fathy Dar-Ul-Islam Mosque – New Mexico
Hassan Fathy Dar-Ul-Islam Mosque – New Mexico | © Omar Bárcena / Flickr
Anna Kramer

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.

1. 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.

Diyanet Center of America, 9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD, USA, +1 301 459 9589

Diyanet Center of America | Courtesy of the Diyanet Center of America

2. Islamic Center of America – Dearborn, Michigan

Mosque

Islamic Center of America – Dearborn, Michigan | © Dane Hillard/Flickr
© Dane Hillard/Flickr

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 U.S.

Islamic Center of America, 19500 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI, USA, +1 313 593 0000

Islamic Center of America – Dearborn, Michigan | © Dane Hillard / Flickr

3. Al-Farooq Masjid – Atlanta, Georgia

Market, Bookstore, Building, Library, Market, Mosque, School

Al-Farooq Masjid Interior - Atlanta, Georgia | © Sunira Stone
© Sunira Stone

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.

Al-Farooq Masjid, 442 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 874 7521

Al-Farooq Masjid Interior – Atlanta, Georgia | © Sunira Stone

5. Islamic Center of Greater Toledo – Perrysburg, Ohio

Mosque, School

Islamic Society of Greater Toledo – Toledo, Ohio | © Katie Turley/Wikimedia
© Katie Turley/Wikimedia

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 Greater Toledo, 25877 Scheider Rd, Perrysburg, OH, USA, +1 419 874 3509

Islamic Society of Greater Toledo – Toledo, Ohio | © Katie Turley / WikiCommons

6. Islamic Center of Central Missouri – Columbia, Missouri

Building, Mosque

Islamic Center of Central Missouri – Columbia, Missouri | © Spartymanz/Wikimedia
© Spartymanz/Wikimedia

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 Central Missouri, 201 S 5th St, Columbia, MO, USA, +1 573 875 4633

Islamic Center of Central Missouri – Columbia, Missouri | © Spartymanz / WikiCommons

7. Islamic Center of Washington – Washington, D.C.

Library, Mosque

Islamic Center of Washington – Washington, D.C. | © AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia
© AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia

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.

Islamic Center of Washington, 2551 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 332 8343

Islamic Center of Washington – Washington, D.C. | © AgnosticPreachersKid / WikiCommons

8. Assalam Center – Boca Raton, Florida

Building, Mosque, School

Assalam Center – Boca Raton, Florida | © Ianaré Sévi/Wikimedia
© Ianaré Sévi/Wikimedia

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.

Assalam Center, 1499 NW 4th Ave, Boca Raton, FL, USA, +1 561 391 8285

Assalam Center – Boca Raton, Florida | © Ianaré Sévi / WikiCommons

9. Noor Islamic Cultural Center – Columbus, Ohio

Building, Mosque

Noor Islamic Cultural Center - Columbus, Ohio | Courtesy of Noor Islamic Cultural Center
Courtesy of Noor Islamic Cultural Center

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.

Noor Islamic Cultural Center, 5001 Wilcox Rd, Dublin, OH, USA, +1 614 527 7777

Noor Islamic Cultural Center – Columbus, Ohio | Courtesy of Noor Islamic Cultural Center

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article