ABOUT US
Welcome to the Pullman Islamic Center
Our History
Early Days
The completion of the Pullman Islamic Center in August of 1982, at a cost of $350,000, was a milestone
in the development of the Muslim community in the Palouse region. For more than 20 years, Muslims
rented houses or campus, municipal, bank or church facilities to carry out Islamic observances and to
hold social activities.
The idea of building a mosque in Pullman was proposed in 1978 and the fundraising began almost
immediately. Funds were collected from Muslims in the area and across the globe. No funding was
received from any foreign government or organization.
The land was purchased in 1981 and construction began in March 1982. Earl Russell, a Pullman
contractor, built the Islamic Center according to designs by Pullman engineer Munir Dawud.
The Islamic Center was completed and opened in August 1982, and official opening ceremonies took
place in October 1982. The then-president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Syed
Muhammad Syeed, and Dawud Zwink, then a member of the ISNA General Secretary, attended the
opening ceremonies along with members of other Muslims communities in the Pacific Northwest.
Masjid Al-Farooq is named after Umar al-Khattab, the second caliph (or leader) of Islam after the death of
Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him. Umar al-Khattab’s honorofic title was “Al-Farooq”,
meaning “one who distinguishes truth from falsehood.”
Our Community Today
The Islamic Center serves about 300 Muslims in the Palouse area, in conjunction with the Moscow
Islamic Center. Most are international students and their families at Washington State University or
University of Idaho, although a growing number are faculty or staff members and their families. The
Muslim community is ethnically diverse, with members from more than 35 countries as well as from the
United States.
The Islamic Center is operated by the Pullman Islamic Association and administered by an elected board
of trustees and executive committee. The association is a federal non-profit organization. The center is
owned by the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), which is a division of the Islamic Society of North
America. The Pullman Islamic Association and its sub-units are also affiliated with ISNA
OUR MISSION
Pullman Islamic Association is a non-profit organization and was established for
fulfillment of the following purposes
- To provide Muslims with religious guidance based on the teachings of Islam
- To provide a place for offering of prayers, for performing other religious observances, and for cultural activities.
- To promote good-will, understanding, fellowship and tolerance among Muslims.
- To serve as a cultural institute
- To issue literature dealing with Islam and Islamic Civilization.
- To organize courses of study in the Qur’an, the language of the Qur’an, and in Islamic history and culture designed to meet the needs of the community
- To maintain a library stocked with literature and publications on Islam
- To promote the spirit of Islam through interfaith dialog.
Our Community Today
The Islamic Center is operated by the Pullman Islamic Association and administered by an
elected board of trustees and executive committee. The association is a federal non-profit
organization. The center is owned by the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), which is a division
of the Islamic Society of North America. The Pullman Islamic Association and its sub-units are
also affiliated with ISNA.
Organizational Structure
