During the early 1980’s, after years of drought had swept the Sub-Saharan region of Africa resulting in extreme economic hardship for the people of the region, a wave of immigrants from West Africa arrived in the United States seeking means to support their families at home.

Most of these immigrants came from Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Many of them were well educated in the religious sciences, either at home or in Arab countries. Armed with their faith in Allah and a determination to meet their responsibilities to their families, they faced the harsh realities of life in America, which often included assault and even death by violent means.
In late 1988, a group of West African Muslims came together to assist the victims and their families by meeting in an apartment on monthly in an apartment on Havilland Avenue in the Bronx, to collect money for an emergency fund called, ”Feesabeely-l’Allah.”

Soon the idea for an association and the need for a larger place than the apartment to meet emerged and of one of the members of the group offered the use of one room over his mechanic shop garage once a month, while continuing to collect money monthly. Eventually, the entire space became available and the group rented the room for its meetings.

By 1991, a new pattern of African immigration was becoming evident. Unlike the earlier male immigrants of the 1980’s who lived and worked in America, but whose wives and children remained in Africa, now there was a burgeoning African Muslim community consisting of men, women and children, many of whom were born in the United States.

These Muslim families found themselves without the social, cultural and religious support required to raise their children in an often hostile, non-Islamic environment. It became clear that there was a pressing need for an Islamic institution administered within an African cultural context to enable African Muslims in the United States to instill and reinforce Islamic knowledge (Qur’an, Fiqh, Sunnah, Seerah (Biography) of the Prophet (SAW), etc.), as well as African cultural esteem.

By 1993, under the guidance of Dr. Thierno Ka of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal and the leadership of Alh. Saite Sall, the African Islamic Center, Inc. and the assistance of Sister Hajja Ashaki Taha Cisse of AAII, was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of New York.  

In 1996, the African Islamic Center, Inc. was granted tax exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and New York State.  

The African Islamic Center has held four Islamic conferences in New York and has reached out to other Islamic organizations. Around the same time, additional space within the same building became available, and the African Islamic Center, Inc. rented both sides of the floor above the garage at Brook Avenue and 168th street for $1,000 per month for use as a masjid open for daily prayers, Friday prayer, and weekend classes for children and adults.

At the same time, the jammat continued to collect money for the purchase of a building to house a masjid, day care center, school, library and community room for Islamic celebrations such as Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, wedding receptions, baby naming ceremonies and to hold Islamic lectures and conferences.  

In 2001, The African Islamic Center purchased 2044 Benedict Avenue, which now houses Masjid Atta’awun, Qur’anic classes for children, literacy classes for adults and a Community Food Pantry for the benefit of the entire community with no regard of religion, race and cultural background belonging.

The African Islamic Center works to provide services and support for the West African Muslim community that founded it, as well as serving as a bridge of understanding among all Muslims and the larger community.

As today the African Islamic Center is run by two groups:

The Administration

Chairman Dr. Thierno Ka, Presdent Brother Ousmane Toure, the Vice President Brother Mourtalla Ka, the General Secretary Brother Mouhamadou Lamine Thiam, the Treasurer Brother Ahmed D.Toure ( Baye Dame), secretary of organization Brother Momath Sakho, secretary of Communication Brother Mamadou Cisse. The current serving officers since 2007.

Religious Leaders

The center has a mosque which is led by a group of imams.

The first imam, Imam Mohamed Sall. First deputy Imam Mamadou Cisse. Second Imam Ibrahim Tembedou, Third depy Imam Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Ndao.

Since its establishment the center has a large group of brothers and sisters who dedicated a large part of there time to serve and develop different sectors of the organization.

The Founders

The idea came from two friends, Brother Mor Gai (Gambian deseed) and Moussa Cisse (Senegalese).

List of first members:

1989-90

Br. Mor Gai, Br. Abdulahi Toure, Br. Omar Cisse, Br. Moussa Cisse, Br. Mamour Drame, br. Saliou Drame, Br. Baye Dame Toure, Br. Keba Fall, Br. Mokhtar Ndiaye, Br. Moussa Cisse 2, Br. Omar Seck , Br. Cheikh Drame, Br. Baye Dame Cisse, Sister Aita Dione, Br. Ali sarr, Br. Ibrahima Gaye, Br. Ali Kara Seck, Br. Malick Diop, Br. Moudou Basine Cisse, Br. Ousmane Toure, Br. Moudou Cisse Jack, Br. Mame ali Gueye, Br. Moth Toure, Br. Mohamed Ndiaye, Br. Momath Sakh, Br. Hassan Gaye, Br. Baba Toure, Br. Souleymane Thiam, Br. Alhadji Toure, Br. Said Seck, Br. Ali Seck, …

1991-1993

Br. Saite Sall, br. Samba Gaye, Br. Babacar Cisse Br. Habib Dieng , Br. Mamadou Cisse, Br. Tamsir Diallo, Br. Sharif Cisse, Br. Modou Cisse, br. Thierno Cisse Br. Ibrahima Sagne, Br. Mohamen Gaye, Br. Ibrahima Ndiaye, Br. Mame Kane Niass, Br.Mbaye Ndiaye, Br. Mamour Gueye… More and more brothers and sisters have joined the organization since May 1992.  On May 7 1992 a mega meeting was held to fix the monthly contribution on $25 or $50 for each member. On this date the collection reached $4,318. A good example in contributing is Br. Momath Sakho $50, a month since may 1992, never miss one month, even being absent he pays, when he comes back.

The same day a mini board of directors was created. It was Baye Dame Toure, Ousmane Toure Saite Sall, Mame Kane Niass, Moussa Cisse…

List of imams since the mosque was opened, the first Friday prayer held was on April 9, 1991 with 60 attendees. The Idea came from Br. Omar Seck. The first one to lead was Br. Ibrahima Sagne.  He was followed by: Imam Keba Ndiaye, Imam Tamsir Barry, Imam Samba Gaye, Imam Mohamed Safiou Niass, Imam Tijane Sall, Imam Mohamed Sall, Imam Mamadou Cisse, Imam Ibrahime Tambedou, Imam Cheikh Tidiane Ndao. The underline ones are serving now.

Religious and language teaching since the opening in 1991.

Mohamed Sall, Arabic, Samba Gaye, Qor’an, Khadim Badiane, Arabic, Mustapha Ndiaye French, Mohamed Bah, French, (1991-1995). Mouhamadou l. Thiam English (2007-08). Sydina Samb English ( 2006-now).