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The Northeast Denver Islamic Center/Masjid Taqwa was formally established upon “Taqwa” as an Islamic community of believers in 2000 with the help of Allah (SWT). It began with the intent of building a model community that promotes Islam proper and its application in American society. However, the earliest beginnings of NDIC date back to 1998 and the efforts of persons who were pioneers in making the transition from the Nation of Islam to the light and understanding of the Quran and the life example of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Currently, there are persons among the membership of NDIC, including the Imam Abdur-Rahim Ali (the resident Imam), who began making their transition as early as 1975 following the death of the Nation of Islam’s former leader, Hon. Elijah Mohammed and the community’s transfer of leadership to his son, Imam W.D. Mohammed. The community of NDIC is in association with the leadership of Imam W. D. Mohammed and the establishment of a new Mathab (school of thought) in North America.

Located in the inner city of Denver, Masjid Taqwa’s greatest opportunity for Dawah (promotion of Al-Islam) is in its outreach to the surrounding historic African American community known as Park Hill. There are many challenges as competing interests have created a long standing struggle over the influence of African Americans. Often those who choose to embrace Al-Islam see themselves as “reverting” to Islam as the descendants of Africans brought involuntarily to this country, who were Muslim but not allowed to practice Islam.

Weekly activities at NDIC include daily Salat, and weekly Jummah prayer, Talim (Quranic discussion), Arabic classes and ongoing Dawah. Imam Abdur-Rahim Ali, along with his wife, Dr. Sadikia Ali, are also founding member of the Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance (GDIA) established in 2001, of which NDIC is a leading member organization. The mission of GDIA is to promote coalitions across the Abrahamic faith traditions and among existing service providers and governmental entities at the federal, state and local levels to expand and coordinate services to address the needs of greater Denver’s vulnerable populations in the African American community and communities of color as it relates to the disparities in economics, education, health care, housing , mental health care, substance abuse intervention/ prevention and the over representation of people of color in the criminal and juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

Imam Ali also coordinates a parenting/fatherhood program. Imam Ali and Dr. Ali are also members of the Detroit National Annual (DNA) WDM Muslim Convention Committee. Futuristically, Masjid Taqwa’s vision is to build affordable housing units, retail businesses, a school/daycare and a cultural center on the land that it owns adjacent to the Masjid.

www.northeastdenverislamiccenter.com

The resident Imam of Northeast Denver Islamic Center (Masjid Taqwa) in Denver, Colorado and the Co-Chair of Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance.  He has been an Imam for 20 years; formally the Imam of the Evanston Islamic Center in Evanston Illinois. Throughout, Imam Ali has associated with the leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, who was his mentor.  Imam Ali is a frequent speaker on  Al-Islam around the country and was honored to speak at the Interfaith Service at the Democratic Convention and the historic breakfast honoring Dr. Martin L King's "I Have A Dream Speech."  Imam Ali also contributes his time to the Colorado Imam’s Council, the Colorado Muslim Leadership Council (CMLC),  and the Detroit National Annual WDM Muslim Convention Committee (DNA). He is also an Honorary Board Member of WorldDenver. Currently,  Imam Ali is also involved in efforts to identify and develop attainable and affordable housing in Denver.