About US

ICLI History & Beyond

The need for the Islamic Center of Long Island grew out of the concerns of a small group of Muslim families on Long Island, mostly immigrants who settled in Nassau County, New York in the early 70s. The desire to preserve their Religious and Ethnic identity lead to the conception of the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI).

The property was purchased in 1984, and the donations for the purchase of land and the building came from private donations. The initial property was a small two-story house with an adjoining piece of land.

The small house on the property was altered for the Quranic instructions and spiritual needs of children and adults. The first Jumma (Friday Congregational Prayer) had three adults and the weekend school had 15 to 20 children. The first expansion of the center was started in 1989 and completed in 1991. This expansion added a prayer hall for men and women, instructional classrooms, library and offices, an area of 10,000 square feet with a cost of two million dollars, Alhamdulillah.

The services that ICLI was providing are tailored to the spiritual needs of all age groups. Some of the community programs at ICLI are; A vibrant and busy Weekend School with about 400 students from New Moon to 12 grade, IC kids 3 to 5 years old, sisters Halaqa, Adult Quranic education, Hifz Program, girls scouts, boys and girls basketball leagues, Salaam group for recent reverts to Islam, Interfaith seminars, Matrimonial counseling and services, and funeral arrangements for Islamic Burial.

Through its interfaith initiatives, ICLI has been a steady force of resistance against Islamophobia and dispelling stereotypes against Islam and Muslims. The Islamic Center of Long Island has a proud history of interfaith work and initiatives to a level of distinction, which delivers the message of universalism brought by all the Prophets and Messengers of God. In October 2015, Dr. Faroque Khan, a founding member and an interfaith maverick at ICLI established the Interfaith Institute of Islamic Center of Long Island.