Mosque Islamic Center Biggest Opened Eslpod Significant United

The United States is a "melting pot" (a country made of people from many different countries), so its residents represent many different cultures, nationalities, and religions, including Islam. Several U.S. mosques are significant for their size, age, or historical or cultural importance.

The Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan is the biggest mosque in North America. The current building was opened in 2005, and the minaret is 10 "stories" (floors) high. The mosque operates an Islamic "elementary" (grades kindergarten through 5th grade) and "middle" (6th, 7th, and 8th grades) school known as the Muslim American Youth Academy.

Mosque Maryam is a large mosque in Chicago, Illinois. The building was originally a Greek Orthodox church, but the "pews" (long bench-like seats where Christians sit during worship) have been removed. The mosque serves as the headquarters and National Center for the Nation of Islam, and is "adjacent to" (next to) a "pre-K through 12" (from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade) educational institution called the Muhammad University of Islam.

The Islamic Cultural Center was the first mosque opened in New York City. Construction began in 1987, but was not "completed" (finished) until 1991. Another mosque in New York City, Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, is notable because Malcolm X, a civil rights leader, "preached" (gave a religious talk in front of a group of people) there.

Finally, Washington, DC is home to the Islamic Center of Washington. It opened in 1957 as the biggest mosque in the "Western Hemisphere" (North and South America), but it "no longer holds that title" (it is not longer the biggest mosque in the Western Hemisphere). Approximately 6,000 people pray there each Friday.