The Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN) is a vibrant and inclusive community hub located in Naperville, Illinois, dedicated to serving the religious, educational, and cultural needs of Muslims in the Naperville area and its surrounding cities and towns. Established in 1991 as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Illinois, ICN has grown into one of the most prominent Islamic centers in the Midwest, welcoming individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Historical Background

The roots of ICN trace back to the 1970s and 1980s when a group of far-sighted Muslims established the Naperville Islamic School as an affiliate of the Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Chicago. Initially, the weekend school was held on Friday nights at Naperville North High School and later at Woodridge School in Lisle to save costs.

By 1983, the community had raised $15,000 to acquire a building for a masjid but postponed their plans when the Islamic Foundation purchased a building in Villa Park. In 1984, members of this group, along with others, formed the Qur’anic Study Club at Bell Laboratories, a prominent local employer. Regular Jumu’ah prayers began at Bell Laboratories during this time, while Isha’ prayers and Taraweeh were held in community members’ homes.

By the late 1980s, the need for a dedicated physical space became undeniable. In the early 1990s, the community purchased a building on Olesen Drive, formerly owned by a religious group, to establish the Islamic Center of Naperville. Since then, ICN has experienced rapid growth, particularly during Ramadan and Eid prayers, when the community often outgrows its current facility and seeks larger venues to accommodate the increasing numbers. Today, ICN holds two Jumu’ah prayer sessions each week, with both sessions often filled to capacity.

Mission

The mission of the Islamic Center of Naperville is to grow into a masjid-centric community dedicated to the obedience of Allah (SWT), the Creator, the Provider, the Most Beneficent, and the Most Merciful. ICN focuses on:

• Raising Muslim generations grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and practiced by his companions.
• Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for Muslims and interested non-Muslims of all ages.
• Serving as a second home and extended family for the community, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

Vision

ICN envisions a vibrant community where its centers serve as a second home and extended family, especially for the youth. The center aims to achieve this through:

• Religious services and education, including daily prayers, Jumu’ah, Taraweeh, and Islamic studies.
• Youth programs and leadership development to engage and empower young Muslims.
• Charitable work to support those in need locally and globally.
• Full-time and weekend schools to provide quality Islamic and academic education for children.
• Interfaith activities to promote communal harmony and mutual understanding.

Facilities and Services

ICN boasts a range of facilities, including a spacious prayer hall, classrooms, a library, and multipurpose spaces for community events. The center also provides separate areas for men and women, ensuring a comfortable and respectful environment for all worshippers.

Programs and Activities

ICN offers a wide range of programs catering to all age groups:

• Religious Services: Daily prayers, Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers, and Taraweeh during Ramadan.
• Educational Programs: Quran classes, Islamic studies for children and adults, and Arabic language courses.
• Youth Activities: Youth groups, leadership development, and recreational activities.
• Community Outreach: Interfaith dialogues, open houses, and charitable initiatives.
• Social Events: Family gatherings, cultural celebrations, and community dinners.

Interfaith and Community Engagement

ICN is deeply committed to building bridges with the wider community. The center regularly hosts interfaith events, collaborates with local organizations, and participates in civic activities to promote mutual understanding and cooperation. Through its outreach efforts, ICN aims to dispel misconceptions about Islam and highlight its message of peace and compassion.

Charitable Initiatives

Guided by the Islamic principles of charity and service, ICN actively supports local and global humanitarian causes. The center organizes food drives, fundraising campaigns, and volunteer opportunities to address issues such as poverty, homelessness, and disaster relief.

Leadership and Volunteers

ICN is led by a dedicated team of imams, board members, and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the center’s success. Their efforts are driven by a shared commitment to serving the community and upholding the values of Islam.

Visit ICN

Whether you are a Muslim seeking a welcoming community or someone interested in learning more about Islam, the Islamic Center of Naperville invites you to visit and experience its warm and inclusive atmosphere. Join ICN in its mission to inspire faith, foster understanding, and make a positive impact in the world.

Contact Information

• Address: 2844 W Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, USA
• Phone: +1 (630) 426-3335
• Fax: +1 (630) 428-3737
• Email: info@icnmasjid.org
• Website: www.icnmasjid.org

Starting on Thursday, August 22, the Wien Museum has begun a three-part Summer Academy dedicated to Islamic heritage in Austria’s capital Vienna, to shed light on how deeply Islam is interwoven into Vienna’s history – and not just through the historic sieges by the Ottomans.

In the first part of the academy, experts and interested participants will examine various objects that have been collected as a result of a long-standing fascination with the so-called “Orient”. The following event on August 29 will focus on the visible traces of Islamic heritage in Vienna’s public space. Finally, on September 5, the focus will be on the aesthetics of this heritage, in particular calligraphy and arabesques.

“Discussions about migration are intermingled with claims about its alleged alienation. Muslims are supposed to be completely different from ‘us,’” writes the museum in its announcement.

According to the exhibition organizers, however, there are countless traces of the Muslim presence in the city in the Wien Museum’s collection. “They shed new light on the relationship between Islam and Vienna,” the museum said.

The art historian Zeinab Abbas-Metwally-Abdelhamed, who is leading the Summer Academy along with Lukas Sperlich, mentioned that the Wien Museum owns Ottoman objects from the 17^th to 19^th centuries. “It is not actually known how the objects first came to the Burgerliches Zeughaus and later to the museum,” Abdelhamed explained. She suggested that they could also have been “trade goods and gifts. In this case, the objects would have much more to do with diplomatic and economic relations and the fascination of the ‘Orient’ than with the war.”

Abdelhamed highlighted that among the Ottoman objects are mainly weapons such as bows, sabers, rifles, spears, shields, and everyday items like lanterns or incense burners. She pointed out that the most valuable object in the museum is an Ottoman map of the Second Ottoman Siege of 1683. While there are comparable objects in other collections, she emphasized, “This object is truly unique.”

Interest in the Summer Academy has been “huge,” according to Abdelhamed. “A large number of people have registered. In addition, our unique Islamic heritage tour attracted considerable interest and participation,” she noted.

Source: Anadolu Agency (AA)