The foundation's first prayer leader, Khalil Zayid, was a poor salesman who could neither read nor write in English, but who recognized the need for a place to practice his religion.

By appealing to their wealthy charities in Saudi Arabia, on the grounds that their children were in danger of being lost to an “unIslamic society,” the newcomers to Bridgeview were able to raise $1.2 million.

[1] Built in 1981 on a few acres of swampy land in the middle of mostly abandoned prairie in Bridgeview, the new mosque was composed of a prayer hall with a capacity of 300 worshippers.

These include protecting American civil liberties, empowering Muslims locally and nationally, improving the quality of urban life across America, and helping the poor, immigrants, and the oppressed by advocating for justice and peace.

1954: Official Registration 1963: Interim Location Purchased 1976: Tax-exempt Status Approved 1977: Mosque Architectural Plan Completed 1978: Construction Began 1981: Mosque Opened 1986: Aqsa School for Girls Opened in Mosque* 1996: Youth Center Opened 1998: Interim Expansion Completed 2002: Lot for Additional Parking Purchased and Developed 2004: Reopened Youth Center after Major Remodeling 2005: Muslim Community Donated Lakeshore Chicago Garden to the City of Chicago 2005: Food Pantry Opened 2006: Expanded Youth Center to Community Center 2007: Started Mosque Foundation Community Pulse Newsletter 2007: New Website Launched 2008: Second major expansion completed