Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center

I have been here a few times. I like the iftaars and the after-jumma "mela" outside, or "jumma baazar". Reminds me of subzi mundi in Queens NY for some reason. Sometimes after fajr prayer, someone will bring food and leave it for people to take home in little bags. Thats cool but who knows whats in there! But ofcourse I never fail to eat whatever it is. No one has been able to explain to me why the first Jumma prayer is at 11:30. Maybe I just don't pay attention when people explain it.. whocares. Subzi mundi here i come!

Salaam. This is a nice masjid; very well maintained and the architecture is nice. Also, they do have many activities for kids and adults during the week. As other reviewers remarked this masjid does almost no community outreach. If they are making da'wah it is probably not to anyone in the neighborhood. Culturally this masjid is very Arabic and you can get some very, very conservative views about Islam if you mingle around and talk. This masjid has been a "hot spot" for media and FBI over the years because of some now infamous former members - but the masjid does little in the way to reach out to the community. I have been told this is not a great place for new Muslims because they (members) can be very critical and come off as seeming elitist. Overall, the masjid has a very "closed off" feel - the community is tight but they seem to be suspicious of outsiders; which does not bode too well if you are trying to spread the world of Islam and create a haven for the curious.

I'm not a big fan of this masjid. Benn here several times. it is overcrowded and run by administrators without goals or plans. I agree with some of the other reviewers that people are rude here. A sunni masjid which is predominantly Arab. If you are neither, you may not feel welcome.

The masjid is beautiful mashallah. However the people there are very rude and arrogant to other people. They are extremely judgmental and the in the woman section especially they treat people very poorly if you do not wear jilbab but wear hijab and modest clothing the woman there take it upon himself to reprimand you. They are judgmental even though that is haraam.

Beautiful Masjid.

I don't live in the area, but am familiar with it and have been to the masjid many times. Mash'Allah they have a very nice facility. I personally liked the sister's entrance from the back, I mean there is a proper foyer and everything else. It's connected to the main masjid. It's true that if you don't wear Jilbab you will stand out. The taraweeh prayer there is beautiful! However, you should try and get there early so you find room (especially the women's section, which is a nice balcony, but can get cramped, and you might have to go to another room) Everytime I've gone, I've noticed more Arabs, Somalis, and Sudanese Muslims. One time I went for Zuhr, and there were some elderly men sitting outside listening to Quran on a boombox (I thought that was pretty cool. :)) and another one had set up a stall in the parking lot, selling different items.

I attended tarawih prayer here almost a decade ago where they stopped the prayers after 4 rakats to raise money for doing dawah in the community. The masjid is located in an area that is heavily hispanic. Almost ten years later I returned to pray juma and looked around. I could hardly find any hispanics in the musjid. The musjid is heavily influenced if not entirely run by the Muslim American Society.

I was actually impressed with this masjid, the diversity and the number of sisters that come to regular prayer and the classes for sisters that are offered. This was a big change from my previous community outside of DC

This review is based on a personal experience and should therefore not be taken as dictum. My friend was physically assaulted by an unnamed woman for being "too pretty," although she was dressed very modestly, was wearing a hijab, and was praying in an area where the men could not see her. After having attended this mosque regularly for more than 12 months, my family and I have decided to leave it in order to preserve our Islam. It is my hope and prayer that such mistreatment of believers does not continue.

Masjid in ideal location for lots of people to come for daily prayers

One of the most active masjids I have visted (and I've visted a number of masajid in the US) I applaud them for the efforts they make in the community (Food Pantry, Social Services, Youth Programs, Educational Programs etc). Large number of people come for 5 time daily salaat, Masha Allah

It is a very misunderstood community outside of itself. Though they have there share of politics as well, every prayer i've been there for has been packed, which is very rare in the US. Also there community is generally more knowledgeable islamically, and most the sisters there are fine with the arrangement as there isnt much mixing between men and women there. They recently added a few women in charge of the womens committees and they attend meetings. The community is very very close and are all friends, and this can be seen any day after prayer when everyone goes outside and hangs out talking, drinking tea, and eating fruits and icecream from the sellers that bring it to the mosque. Unfortunately they tend to disallow many speakers who can benefit there community and live nearby. Also it is difficult to get involved in helping there community.

I remember when Dar Al Hijra opened, it was a big deal, many years in the making, and a community effort. Sadly, I feel as though the organizers of this masjid have shunned much of the community in their efforts towards a conservative push. I remember praying one time, and having a woman come up to me mid-prayer to adjust my headscarf. I consider this very rude and disturbing, ignoring a solitary moment of peace between an individual and God. A strand of hair that slipped out is not going to send anyone to hell. Likewise, I went one day to drop off a bunch of clothes in a clothing charity drive, and was approached several times that I should cover my hair, despite being dressed conservatively otherwise. I have since not returned, and has not been a welcoming place for me.

Its a prety building. women have to go around the back. The entrance is by the hugh trash dumpsers and bushes. Its not well lite back there and women with children will fine it hard to get in contract with your husband if your ready to leave or vice versa. Women ARE not ALLOWED to serve on the Board. The Masjid is very diverse but the board diffiantly doesnt reflectthe diversity of the community. They have tried to change some things after 9-11 I think for the better. They are much more involved in the community and have finnaly understood the importance in getting involved in local politics. This community I think will do great things with the next generation. This really a transitional time for them in so many respects. Sister should know that you might recieve a word or two if you don't come in a Jilbab.

Women's area is completely separate though you can peer through a carved balcony to see the men. It's decent, though not big enough for jumah. Last I went for jumah I barely squeezed through, and got chided for not having my hijab on (in the women's area!)