A coworker/work friend found and visited this center last Friday at lunchtime and told some of us about it in case we were interested too since its only a mile from work. Friday is a special and important/holy day for Muslims, like Sunday is for Christians. I was able to go today too, luckily no meetings at that time, so we took our lunch hour late from 115-215pm and were able to catch an Uber and catch most of the khutbah (like a sermon) that is before the prayers, although it was all in Arabic this time (last week he said there was an English translator). And I'd read about the earphones available for translation in these reviews but we got there too late and didnt want to be walking around being disruptive looking for them. It didn't matter though because it was really the experience/community/prayers we were there for. He went in the front door with the males and I followed a lady with a hijab that I saw walking through the parking lot to a rear door. She was nice enough to wave me over, too, and there were clear signs outside as well. I was nervous because I was new, a little late, and this was my first time going to a group prayer tbh. I've visited mosques before in Turkey but not during actual prayer times. I put my scarf on in the parking lot to cover my hair and then took my shoes off and left them at the bottom of the steps with everyone else's, leaving my socks on. The floor was wet, probably from people doing wudu, lol. I went up the stairs and women were sitting facing a gold curtain in the front and also along the walls so I went to the back wall and sat between two women. Nobody stared or made me feel weird just general quick glances like I was new or something, but overall no problem and it seemed like a nice cozy group. Maybe 30 or 35 women and maybe 6 or so little well-behaved girls. The carpet was clean and I think red and green. I didn't need to bring my prayer rug after all, nobody else did. I was self conscious and nervous about when we would get to the prayers part, which lasted about 10 minutes after the khutbah, because I didn't know how it worked and I really don't know mine by heart or without using the salat learning app, but it was fine after all because i saw how everyone does it together in silence except for the man/imam speaking that we can't see in the womens area anyway since we're in a separate room from the men upstairs and behind a curtain/divider. (Sorry for the major run on sentences, I'm typing like I talk rn lol). After the khutbah, everyone got up and squished together in horizontal rows toward the front so i just followed and copied whatever they did. I didn't know why they were shoulder to shoulder tbh but later my coworker explained that was to keep shaytan (satan) out and an act of unity/togetherness. I'd left like a foot of space between me and the young girl next to me but next time I'll know not to do that. Then everyone does the motions together as they're announced and it's a really humbling, peaceful and spiritual feeling, so although we had to rush bc we only had an hour, and I can't speak toward anything else the center offers since our time was limited, I enjoyed the experience overall and will be back. My coworker did mention there are shops that sell halal food etc next to the mosque that he picked up lunch at last time, so that's convenient. The end.. read more

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Alhamduallah I was born and raised Muslim. Once I walked inside this misjad everything is different people are very rude they keep staring at new people entered the misjad. I did not like they way how they approach me while I'm praying they were supposed to wait for me until I finish. Even if you own the masjid this is the house of Allah not yours. Overall, I would rather to pray in my car but in this misjad read more

A place to go to for worship, love, respect and a sense of community. Great people from many cultures forming one of the most peaceful communities. If you want to learn about islam, improve your knowledge, then this is the place to go to. read more

Oakland Islamic Center - Mosques Near Me - Oakland, California

This trip was my first time at the Oakland Islamic Center another sister told me about the masjid. It was easy to get to by taking the 24 from where I lived and getting off on 27th and then taking 27th to Telegraph to 31st. I found street parking because my good friend told me to arrive early- this means by 12:15pm. Jummah is at 1pm. Once I walked up to the masjid I asked if there was a women's area- which there is- just walk to the back doors and head up the stairs. The shoe rack wasn't very logically placed- right next to the bathroom- instead at the bottom of the stairs. Once I headed upstairs- I realized how huge the prayer area is.. it spans the whole upper level and the lower level but the women's section- which is upstairs has been made a smaller portion of the upstairs area with a moveable curtain. I knew before showing up to the masjid that the khutbah is only in Arabic with English translation available via wireless head phones. In order to make sure you get one of the head phones it best to arrive early or you will just be out of luck. In fact there were a few times- I cracked up laughing silently because the guy translating would forget he was mic'ed and start telling his son to behave. I also noticed none of the Qur'an's were available in Arabic/English translation or other languages. The majority of the women are fluent in Arabic and from diverse backgrounds.. although some are reverts. The children's area was an empty room with no games, toys etc.. so bring something for your children to do if you decide to attend this masjid - so that your kids have something to do and don't end up in trouble. The women were really friendly and nice- it always helps to bring a friend your first time at a new masjid. Not that much talking actually happened because we listen to the khutbah, prayed and then went to lunch. I think this is a great masjid but it doesn't provide any services to help people learn about Islam if they are interested such as pamphlets, books, classes... so that's why this masjid doesn't get five stars. read more

Oakland Islamic Center - The Front of the Islamic Center - Mosques Near Me - Oakland, California

As a muslim, I love every house of Allah. There is no such thing as rating such great places of worship, however I'm gonna rate some of the policies of the masjid that have me wondering whether they're scared to speak out against injustice or don't want to deal with flyers. But once I had asked if I could leave flyers for a Palestinian human rights protest and they refused to have me leave them. The Prophet (PBUH) said, if you can't stop an evil act with your hands, then try to raise awareness about it. If raising awareness of the evil act doesn't stop the act, then the absolute minimum action you can take against it is to recognize the act as evil and feel bad about it. I just wish they felt bad enough to allow the flyers there and not be so worried about some FBI agent asking questions. This is America...FREE SPEECH BROTHERS! read more

I am familiar with the mosqe and like many it does cater to those who support the mosque and who tend to come from Iran. That doesn't mean that converts, and curious aren't welcome. I have experienced the none return phone call phenomenom in mosques and I think this is because they don't have office staff to answer phones. If they had answer machines, there would be too many crank callers. yes, post 911 there are still alot of ignorant people around. At any rate this is a very open, and interfaith mosque that sponsors and hosts interfaith and community dialogue. I would suggest you go to the website, find a function to attend and hook up with someone face to face and you might find that easier. YOU ARE RIGHT I DID GET IT MIXED UP. I ONLY WENT TO THE 31ST STREET ONE ONCE SO I HAVE NO INFORMATION. TRY MASJID AL IMAN/ read more

The last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. May Allah bless everyone into bring better people. To be people if the book. To enter into the right path. May god enlighten us to do good. My dua for all the needy in this world. May Allah help everyone to be from the musliheen wa muumineen. To do good in this world so that it will help you in the other world. My prayers for all political prisoners, children, homeless read more

Intrigued with Islam and wanting to find more information, I was dissapointed that the many calls I was making to local mosques were not being returned. I thought, "it has been several years since 9/11, why would any Islamic organization be so unwilling to answer my attempts to get information about services, new Muslim classes, and children's programs?" This mosque was one of the mosques who made no attempt to return calls or provide answers. So I showed up one Friday for Juma services. I was not greeted as I arrived. I entered the front, since no-one said this was a male only entrance and was given very sour looks. Finally, a woman, wearing full niqaab grabbed my arm and ushered me to the side entrance. She asked if I was Muslim, and I said no. She asked if I wanted to be Muslim, and I said I was interested, then she showed me where to put my shoes and gave me another scarf to wear on top of the hijab I was already wearing.(? - Honestly I was appropriatly and modestly dressed, my scarf was not transparent and this made no sense). She brought me to the women's area, distinctly separate from the men's area. I could hear a male voice speaking over the crackly loudspeaker in Arabic. The woman led me to the back of the women's prayer area and left me, instructing me to pray. I watched other women arrive and do their salat. One young woman came and sat next to me. She leaned into my ear and whispered, "Just follow me and dont worry about doing anything wrong." I so appreciated her kindness. The loudspeaker voice changed to a distincly accented female voice speaking in English, "Please welcome the American in the women's area." I thought, wow, they are talking about me. No one else but the kind woman above spoke to me. I remember a few shy smiles directed my way. Services were long and only in Arabic. If English was part of the service I was unable to understand since the speaker system quality was so poor. After services, no-one talked to me. I left sure I would never return. This appears to be primarily a mosque for foreign born Muslims and not a place for converts, reverts or the curious. read more

The coolest Mosque in Oaktown....

This masjid is my childhood masjid! The community, vibe, the feeling if being a part of something amazing here is truly tremendous! Always blessed to come here. I encourage Muslims of all different ethnicities to come here! During Ramadan the atmosphere is so exciting and fulfilling, the best part is the women and men's section are on different floors. read more

I went there, when no one else was around, so the only thing that attracted my attention was the adorably neat and clean restrooms and the comfortable and huge area for women to pray. This place is much more like a mosque comparing to other mosques that I've ever been to in bay area. read more

Try The Lighthouse Mosque and some time is listed under Al-Iman Masjid 4606 Martin Luther King Jr Way Oakland, Ca this is my favorite. Please anyone let me know what do you think! read more

salam alaycoum I am a muslim living in France and I am about to come to oakland. I am looking for an apartment over there. I am coming in december the 21st to start a program in an university inchallah. If someone have something to rent, please let me know. Barakallahoufikoum norttone@gmail.com read more

Everytime I have gone to the Oakland Islamic Center I've been treated eith nothing but love and friendship. The brothers are beutiful and it seems to be aclose community. I recently was released from prison and did not know what to expect. I've heard the mas-jid on 82nd & macarthur is also very good and everything is in english. I go to both, but the one on 31st st. is closer to home. If you are new to Islam you can e-mail me at determined2b@gmail.com and I can put you in touch with some good brothers or sisters from the Muslim student association at Laney College. When I first entered Islam I let my first impressions of the people steer me away from Islam but as Allah guided me back I saw that these were serious people and loving beings. As Muslims we are suppose to be there to help one another and be there to strengthen our communities. There are alot of good things going on at the Oaland Islamic center and it's going to be a beutiful Ramadan. I pray that anything which is beneficial came from Allah and anything which was not came from me. Alhamdulillah As-Salamu Alaikam P.S. None of the Mas-jids seem to answer their phones so go there after 12:45pm until Isha read more

i want to convert to Islam for statistical reasons. not enough blondes. Swedish Islam, be afraid! ha ha no. but i'm absolutely going down to the center, talked to some very cool dudes, would love to talk to those charmers some more. there NEEDS to be more dialogue between our worlds. good luck to all you fine gents. the world can be a better place and you prove it every day xoxo (n) read more

Asalaamu Alaykum so I decided to look up a mosque in Santa Rosa to attend for jummah since we came to visit my sister here and don't want to miss our jummah prayer and some how lead me on to my current masjid which is the "Oakland Islamic center" located in 31st & telegraph. So I was reading what everyone had to say in Yelp.com and I have to agree with people. This masjid is beautiful it looks like an actually masjid but I really wish this play room upstairs in the womans area could get a little more decorate possible get donation toys from people for children to enjoy being there so there mothers can peacefully pray. It's a little irritating to go to the masjid and have the children disturbing the entire prayer because they are bored. You guys need to improve that please. Also a table in both the woman area and man area with some information about Islam for both converts and born Muslims would be great. I've notice how people come to the masjid to learn about Islam and they leave and I never see them again this masjid doesn't really help converts much. I have to admit that. Also trying to get the headphone would be good if they only work so the people who don't speak Arabic can hear the khutbah in English. I also believe that some of you Arab people please show respect to the materials in the masjid by returning the things back and don't give it to the children to break. This stuff cost money and they are for the converts to use. I'm sorry but I love this masjid just please improve these things it's very important for us converts. read more