Islam in Delaware

Muslim community in the United States

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Islam is an established religion in Delaware. Although it is not known precisely how many Muslims live in the state, Delaware has at least five mosques and a sizable Muslim population.

## Legends of the Delaware Moors

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It has been hypothesized that the history of Islam in Delaware extends as far back as the origin of the Delaware Moors, a mixed-race community in Kent and Sussex counties whose origins have been variously attributed to 18th century shipwrecked Spanish Moorish pirates, wives brought over from the 17th century British evacuation of Tangier, or a legendary romance between a European colonist and an enslaved Moorish prince.[1][dubious - discuss] Similar to some other multiracial communities like the Free Moors of the Carolinas, the Delaware Moors historically claimed Muslim origins dating back to Colonial times.[2] However, an 1895 article about the Delaware Moors published in The Pick and Gad of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, stated that the Delaware Moors operated their own Methodist church and did not practice Islam.[3]

## Mosques, schools, community centers and organizations

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* The Islamic Society of Delaware in Newark has the largest Muslim community following in the state. Communal prayers are held, providing an opportunity to learn about Islam, pray in congregation and meet Muslims.[4][5][6]
* The First State Islamic Foundation is an umbrella organization of five distinct projects, i.e., Masjid Isa Ibn-e-Maryam, Tarbiyah School, Weekend Islamic School, After School Quran Program and a full-time Hifz school. The Islamic Center is located at 698 Old Baltimore Pike in Newark, DE.

### Schools

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* The Tarbiyah Islamic School of Delaware is a registered pre-K-to-grade-12 school with the Delaware Department of Education since October 2010 and is recognized as a non-profit organization. Tarbiyah School is known for the quality of its curriculum, which integrates Islamic educational concepts with Delaware’s core standards for curriculum design. A focus on hands-on, real-life, practical activities and games supports the learning process and reinforces core concepts.[7][8] Tarbiyah School offers services such as a day-care center. The school has an enrollment of about 225 students and has 35 employees.
* The Islamic Academy of Delaware opened in September 2011.[5] It is registered with the State of Delaware as a pre-kindergarten-to-grade-12 school. In 2012, its enrollment was about 150 students.[9]

### Masjids

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* Masjid al Kauthar, is a masjid located in Wilmington and is the oldest mosque in Delaware.
* Masjid Ibrahim (Islamic Society of Delaware, www.isdonline.org) in Newark is the largest mosque in Delaware. ISD offers 5 daily congregational prayers, Friday (Juma) prayers (2 sessions with sermons in English), special Eid prayers and special Taraweeh prayers every weeknight in Ramadan. ISD hosts weeknight halaqas (lectures) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and a Living Islam program for new Muslims and those interested in Islam on Saturdays from 12 noon-1. ISD also conducts Islamic education programs for children - Quranic Academy of Delaware (QAD) on Saturdays and a Sunday School. The full-time Islamic Academy of Delaware (IAD) is co-located on the ISD campus at 28 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713.
* Masjid Isa Ibn-e-Maryam (First State Islamic Foundation) is located in Newark, and offers daily prayers, Friday prayers and Eid prayers. It is co-located with Tarbiyah School under the umbrella of First State Islamic Foundation. Daily Halaqas, new Muslim classes and other services are offered. Halaqa's are available at www.Tarbia.TV
* The Elkton Masjid, on the second floor at 107 North Bridge Street, offers prayers five times daily in addition to jumu'ah salat (Friday prayers).[citation needed]
* The Glasgow Mosque is located at 2555 Glasgow Avenue in Newark, five daily prayers are held and a khutbah on Fridays offered in congregation.[citation needed]
* Masjid Ar Razzaqq is located at the intersection of 7th and Jackson Streets, this masjid has five daily prayers and a khutbah on Fridays.[citation needed]
* Delaware Turkish Mosque located at 249 Appleby Rd, New Castle, DE 19720 - diyanetmosque.org
* Muhammad Mosque 35 located at 2800 Washington St, Wilmington, DE 19802
* Masjid Baitul Aman located at 2219 Naamans Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810 - masjidbaitulaman.com
* Masjid al-Ikhlaas located at 1803 W. 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805. Also has an Islamic bookstore connected to it.

### Organizations

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* Masjid Al-Kauthar (aka Muslim Center of Wilmington) is the first established Muslim organization in Delaware[4] established in 1957.
* Tarbiyah School is the largest Islamic School in Delaware in terms of student enrollment, the facility and faculty.[7]
* Masjid Isa Ibn-e-Maryam is of the 12 major mosques in the area.[10]
* First State Islamic Foundation[11]
* Islamic Society of Delaware is of the 12 major mosques in the Delaware.
* University of Delaware Muslim Students Association is a resident-student organization at the University of Delaware.[12]
* Tarbia.TV[13]
* Delaware Council on Global and Muslim Affairs[14]
* Islamic Academy of Delaware[9]

### Community centers

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* ICNA Relief Center of DE is an international relief organization. Its DE office provides relief services to the local homeless and needy. They also offer free tutoring classes and adult classes.
* Zakat Community Center of Delaware is a social service center for the Delaware area. Parent organization: Zakat Foundation of America: Offers free tutoring, ESL classes and distributes food once a month in Wilmington. In process of opening a food pantry. Address: 21 Prestbury Square Newark, DE 19713[15]

## Community outreach and interfaith dialogue

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There is a community of converted Muslims; an article in The News Journal by Summer Harlow in September 2007 highlights the transition many are making.

## References

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1. ^ Noble Timothy Myers-El (June 30, 2008). The Unknown Lore of Amexem's Indigenous People: An Aboriginal Treatise. AuthorHouse. p. 86\. ISBN 978-1-4343-2767-3.
2. ^ Anthony B. Pinn (1998). Varieties of African American Religious Experience. Fortress Press. p. 113\. ISBN 978-0-8006-2994-6.
3. ^ "The Delaware Moors". The Pick and Gad. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
4. ^ a b "ISD Home". isdonline.org. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
5. ^ a b "Muslim community grows, adapts under scrutiny".
6. ^ "Police: 3 Charged in Connection with Vandalism of Delaware Mosque". October 28, 2013.
7. ^ a b "Tarbiyah School – Character, Creativity, Excellence – That's Tarbiyah!". Retrieved January 12, 2024.
8. ^ "Tarbiyah School of Delaware | Character, Creativity & Excellence - That's Tarbiyah". Retrieved January 12, 2024.
9. ^ a b "Home | Islamic Academy of Delaware". Islamic Academy ofDE. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
10. ^ "Home". Masjid Isa Ibn-e-Maryam. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
11. ^ First State Islamic Foundation
12. ^ "Religious and Spiritual Organizations". www1.udel.edu. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
13. ^ Tarbia.TV
14. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024. [user-generated source]
15. ^ "Zakat Foundation of America". Zakat Foundation of America. Retrieved January 12, 2024.

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Islam in the United States by state/city/territory

Incorporated|

* Alaska
* Delaware
* Hawaiʻi
* Maryland
* Michigan
* Detroit
* New York
* New York City
* Texas
* Dallas-Fort Worth
* Houston
* Virginia
* Washington, D.C.

Unincorporated|

* American Samoa
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Puerto Rico

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