AhlulBayt News Agency: Masjid Al-Taqwa, a mosque in Altadena that served a close-knit Muslim community for 42 years, was destroyed in one of the deadliest fires in Los Angeles County this January.
The blaze, which killed 17 people and scorched thousands of homes, left the congregation without a place to pray or gather for Ramadan, AP reported on Friday.
Recently, about 20 members of the mosque and their families met at New Horizon Islamic School to pray and share a meal, their first gathering since the fire. Many attendees are currently living in motels or with relatives after losing their homes.
During the meeting, Imam Junaid Aasi, a volunteer who has served the mosque for 25 years, shared some hopeful news. The school offered its multipurpose room for prayers and gatherings four nights a week during Ramadan. The announcement brought relief and expressions of gratitude, with many saying, “Alhamdulillah” (praise be to God).
“Ramadan is not only a time when we pray and eat together, but we also help and support each other and others in the community,” Aasi said. “This year, with so many who have lost so much, it’s going to be more important than ever.”
The mosque, originally established in the 1970s as a meeting place for Nation of Islam members, evolved into a multicultural Muslim community. It was renamed Masjid Al-Taqwa, meaning “pious and god-conscious,” in 1997. Over the years, it became a second home for many, hosting daily community iftars during Ramadan.
For members like Salah Eddine Benatia, an Algerian immigrant, the mosque provided a sense of family. “I felt so warmly welcomed by this community,” he said. “Being here gives me a sense of being with family.”
Farzana Asaduzzaman, who lost her home in the fire, described Ramadan at the mosque as a “family affair.” Despite the loss, she remains hopeful. “Our masjid may be gone and our neighborhood may be gone, but our community is strong,” she said.
Mohammed AlDajani, a Palestinian American medical student, found solace in the mosque’s diverse community. “It was my little haven,” he said. “It doesn’t feel right, having that empty space there.”
As the community looks ahead, members like Sakeenah Ali remain determined. “The key is to keep showing up,” she said. “We are going to rebuild.”
For now, the school’s temporary space offers a glimmer of hope as the community prepares to observe Ramadan together, despite the challenges they face.
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