The drive to create runs in the blood of all mankind, evident in its universal propensity for developing and crafting artistic items, monumental structures, and simple depictions. From cave paintings many thousands of years old to the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel and modern art pieces hotly debated among scholars, our desire to express ourselves and leave our mark on the rest of society with shape and form is clearly and incontrovertibly established. One of the most classic and perhaps natural artistic inclinations for mankind is to express one's faith or spiritual beliefs through artistic representation, whether it be in the form of grand works of devotional architecture, iconography of deities, illuminated holy texts, or some portable religious trinket or raiment. The Islamic faith, bearing no inclinations toward iconography or anthropomorphizations of God, tends to focus its artistic energies toward the building of distinct structures and the embellishment of these and other religious artifacts with beautiful and intricate scripting and designs. Mosques in the United States and their enthusiastic congregants have definitely adopted this trend, imbuing their places of worship and accessories with quality craftsmanship and creative flourishes able to compete with the most glorious religious visual feasts in the Middle East and South Asia. New York may be one of the best American venues for these aesthetic pleasures; boasting several important mosques, the city is rich in meaningful Muslim art awaiting appreciation. Get to know a couple New York mosques to be treasured not only for their services, but for the creative drives of their communities, with this easy introduction from FunduSearch, your guide to everything New York Desi.



Conveniently located on Allen Street in Manhattan, the Assafa Islamic Center makes a strong case for entrance among the ranks of artistically inclined mosques and communities in New York with its burgeoning new Masjid project, which aims to see a completed renovation of a classic brownstone building turned Muslim mosaic masterpiece within the next few years. Plans and facade designs for the Masjid suggest intricate geometric designs, meaningful swaths of scripture from the Quran, and well-appointed, comfortable rooms for prayer and gathering will dominate the structure. Join the congregation for friendly weekly prayers or attend a special interest or discussion group, and add your insight and abilities to the volunteer effort at the Assafa Islamic Center, where one of New York's most stunning Muslim monuments is surely in the making.


Nearby in Woodside, the Islamic Institute of New York on Queens Boulevard has its home in an attractive setting, yet focuses its relationship with beauty on the preservation, study, and understanding of fine illuminated texts. Supplementing its many community services and special programs, the Institute offers its members a library complete with many important and impressive texts displaying the beauty and traditions of Muslim holy bookmaking and similar crafts refined over thousands of years.


Celebrate the creative spirit in your religious life and become a part of one of New York's great local mosques. Get to know them all with complete local listings, and explore other featured Muslim venues in the city such as the Alianza Islamica, the Masjidus Saaliheen, the Staten Island Islamic Masjid, and the Muslim World League.