Intro
In 1955 (Dec-3), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Dec 03, 1955 ·Page 12 reports that every Sunday at 11 the Islamic center of San Francisco Incorporated is open. Monthly meetings are conducted at 8pm, the first Saturday of each month.
In 1955 (Dec-3-17-24), the San Francisco Chronicle of Sat, Dec 24, 1955 ·Page 28 reports that Islamic Center of SF., Inc. at 2030 Broadway will be having religious instruction on the first Saturday of each month and will have meetings at 8pm (See also the San Francisco Chronicle
Sat, Dec 17, 1955 ·Page 13)(See also San Francisco Chronicle of Sat, Dec 03, 1955 ·Page 12)(See also the San Francisco Chronicle Sat, Dec 03, 1955 ·Page 10).
In 1956 (Jan-7), the San Francisco Chronicle of Sat, Jan 07, 1956 ·Page 9 reports that Syed Itatt Hussain (Consul General of Pakistan) will give a free lecture on “The Meaning of Islam” at 8pm at the Islamic Center of San Francisco at the American Academy of Asian Studies, at 2030 Broadway.
In 1956 (Oct-15), the San Francisco Chronicle of Mon, Oct 15, 1956 ·Page 28 reports that King Saud is promising to donate $4000 to build a local mosque in SF. The President of the Islamic Center of San Francisco is Dr. Joseph M. Dicaprio (a convert) and he says he already got the money. They are in the process of raising of 100k for a mosque. This is the center at the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway.
In 1956 (Oct-28), the San Francisco Chronicle of Sun, Oct 28, 1956 ·Page 6 reported that there will be an “Indonesian Day” program held at the Islamic Center of San Francisco at 9PM on Saturday at the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway.
In 1956 (Oct-29), the San Francisco Examiner of Mon, Oct 29, 1956 ·Page 47 reports that 75 Moslems gathered to celebrate the birthday of Muhammad (Saw). They met at the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway. Dr. Joseph M. Dicaprio (a convert) alleges that 700 Moslems are here in the Bay Area from various countries of which 200 are college students.
In 1956 (Nov-26), the San Francisco Examiner of Mon, Nov 26, 1956 ·Page 32 reports that the Iran Consul (Ahmad Eghbal) will be speaking at the Islamic Center of San Francisco on Saturday evening at the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway (See also the San Francisco Chronicle of Wed, Nov 28, 1956 ·Page 7)(See also the San Francisco Examiner of
Fri, Nov 30, 1956 ·Page 61).
In 1957 (Apr-29), the San Francisco Examiner of Mon, Apr 29, 1957 ·Page 7 reports that Moslems are celebrating the end of Ramadhan via Eid ul Fitr at 10am on Wednesday May-1. The service will be held at the Islamic Center of San Francisco at 2030 Broadway.
In 1957 (May-1), the San Francisco Examiner of Wed, May 01, 1957 ·Page 30 reports that Moslems of the Bay Area will be celebrating Eid ul Fitr today, hosted by the Islamic Center of San Francisco, at 2030 Broadway.
In 1957 (Jun-1), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Jun 01, 1957 ·Page 32 reports that the Islamic Center of San Francisco will observe its 2nd anniversary at 6PM at 2030 Broadway.
In 1957 (Jul-5), the San Francisco Examiner of Fri, Jul 05, 1957 ·Page 6 reported that Egyptian Consul (Abdel Moneim El-Khedry) will be speaking at the Islamic Center of San Francisco Inc. at 8:45 at 2030 Broadway. His topic is “The Future of Islam”.
In 1957 (Sep-2), the San Francisco Examiner of Mon, Sep 02, 1957 ·Page 4 reports that Abdul Sattar, the Vice Consul of Pakistan in SF will discuss the “The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan” on Saturday, 9PM at 2030 Broadway, the meeting is sponsored by the Islamic Center of San Francisco.
In 1957 (Oct-3), the San Francisco Chronicle of Thu, Oct 03, 1957 ·Page 24 reports that SF Moslems are set to celebrate the birthday of Muhammad (saw) at 8PM, Saturday at the Islamic Center of San Francisco (2030 Broadway)(See also The San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Oct 05, 1957 ·Page 12).
In 1957 (Nov-1), the San Francisco Examiner of Fri, Nov 01, 1957 ·Page 60 reports that the President and Dean of the American Academy of Asian Studies (Dr. Ernest Wood) is hosting a meeting of the Islamic Center at 2030 Broadway.
In 1958 (Jan-29), Wiqar Husain Zaidi, a Pakistani PhD candidate at Stanford will give a lecture on “Islamic Values”. This will be held at the Islamic Center of San Francisco at 8:30 PM on Saturday and held at 2030 Broadway (See San Francisco Chronicle of Wed, Jan 29, 1958 ·Page 2).
In 1958 (Apr-21), the San Francisco Examiner of Mon, Apr 21, 1958 ·Page 48 reports that 200 Moslem men and women from the Bay Area celebrated Eid ul Fitr. The Islamic Center is located at 2030 Broadway.
In 1958 (Jun-29), the San Francisco Examiner of Sun, Jun 29, 1958 ·Page 2 reports that 200 Moslems in San Francisco met at the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway. Abas Ramadhan led the service.
In 1958 (Aug-9), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Aug 09, 1958 ·Page 7 reports that the Islamic Science Center is open at 439 Ellis St. SF. The Director is Abdo S. Ahmed.
In 1958 (Aug-16), the San Francisco Chronicle of Sat, Aug 16, 1958 ·Page 13 reports that a man named Abdo Ahmed will give a sermon on “Patience” tomorrow at the Islamic Center at 439 Ellis St (See also The San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Aug 23, 1958 ·Page 13).
In 1958 (Aug-30), the San Francisco Chronicle of Sat, Aug 30, 1958 ·Page 9 reported that Abdo Ahmed gave a lecture on “What is Religion” at the Islamic Science Center at 439 Ellis St. SF.
In 1958 (Sep-4), the San Francisco Examiner of Thu, Sep 04, 1958 ·Page 60 reports that there will be a lecture on Islam at 8PM on Saturday night by Dr. Mohamad Salahuddin Ahmed of Pakistan at the Islamic Center of San Francisco.
In 1958 (Oct-3), the San Francisco Chronicle of Fri, Oct 03, 1958 ·Page 5 reports that Bay Area Moslems will be celebrating the birthday of Mohammed (saw) tomorrow at the Islamic Center of San Francisco, at 2030 Broadway. Dr. Mehmet Shariff will also give a lecture.
In 1959 (Mar-30), the San Francisco Examiner of Mon, Mar 30, 1959 ·Page 14 reported that a Pakistani man named Marghoob Ahmed Quraishi will address members of the Islamic Center of San Francisco at “American Academy of Asian Studies” on Saturday.
In 1959 (Apr-6), the San Francisco Chronicle of Mon, Apr 06, 1959 ·Page 3 reports that Moslems in SF are celebrating Eid ul Fitr. It will be held at the “American Academy of Asian Studies”, at 2030 Broadway. The women of the Islamic Center of San Francisco Inc. are also involved and have given as address of 2345 Polk St.
In 1959 (Apr-9), the San Francisco Examiner of Thu, Apr 09, 1959 ·Page 9 reported that roughly 200 Muslims in SF celebrated Eid ul Fitr at 2030 Broadway. 20 sailors from Pakistan were also in attendance as well as college students, Negro’s, Arab’s and Turks.
In 1959 (Apr-29), the San Francisco Chronicle of Wed, Apr 29, 1959 ·Page 42 reports that the UAR envoy (Abdel Moneim El-Khedry, Consul General of the United Arab Republic) will speak to local Muslims in SF at that their regular monthly meeting at the Islamic Center of San Francisco. Abdel Moneim El-Khedry will also give a speech at the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway.
In 1959 (Jun-4), the San Francisco Examiner of Thu, Jun 04, 1959 ·Page 62 reports that there will be an Islamic dinner held on Saturday at 6PM. This will commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the Islamic center of San Francisco Inc. This will be hosted at the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway.
In 1959 (Jun-18), the San Francisco Chronicle of Thu, Jun 18, 1959 ·Page 5 reports that Moslems in SF are celebrating. A man named Mohammed Erakat is the imam. They are using the “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway. Roughly 150 people were in attendance. Mohammed Ali Mirdad is the President of the Islamic center of San Francisco.
In 1959 (Jul-1), the San Francisco Chronicle of Wed, Jul 01, 1959 ·Page 38 reports that a movie called “Indus River” will be played at “American Academy of Asian Studies” at 2030 Broadway, this is part of the monthly meeting of the Islamic Center of San Francisco Inc.
In 1961 (Sep-30), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Sep 30, 1961 ·Page 13 reports that Professor Muhammad Amin (graduate of Aligarh College) is in SF and will give a lecture at the Islamic Center of SF on Saturday, Oct-7-1961 at the American Friends Service Hall, 2160 Lake St, SF at 7:30PM. Professor Muhammad Amin seems to be a liberal.
In 1961 (Dec-23), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Dec 23, 1961 ·Page 10 reported that there was an Islamic Center at 1929 Irving St. and it has a Sunday school at 11am with a discussion on the Holy Quran.
In 1962 (Jan-13), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Jan 13, 1962 ·Page 11 reports that there is an Islamic Center at 1929 Irving St and they hold a Sunday school at 11am wherein they discuss the Holy Quran.
In 1962 (Jan-20), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Jan 20, 1962 ·Page 13 reported that the Islamic Center at 1929 Irving St is hosting a Pre-Ramadhan dinner at 6pm, Saturday, Jan-27, at the YMCA, 333 Eucalyptus Dr.
In 1962 (Jan-27), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Jan 27, 1962 ·Page 14 reports that an Islamic Center is hosting a pre-Ramadhan dinner via it’s “Women’s Club”. This will be held at the YMCA Hall at 333 Eucalyptus Ave.
In 1962 (Mar-3), the San Francisco Chronicle of Sat, Mar 03, 1962 ·Page 21 reported that Lilat-Ul-Kadr was being prayed at the Islamic Center of San Francisco at 8pm at 1929 Irving St, SF. Eid ul Fitr will be held at 9:30 Am on Tuesday Mar-5-1962. It will be held at the American Friends Service Hall, 2160 street, the service will be led by Imam Ghazi Wawwel (See also The San Francisco Examiner of Mon, Mar 05, 1962 ·Page 56).
In 1962 (Jun-2), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Jun 02, 1962 ·Page 13 reports that there is an Islamic center at 35 Grove St (near Market) and they are having a general meeting tonight at 7:30PM at the American Friends Hall.
In 1962 (Aug-11), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Aug 11, 1962 ·Page 11 reports that an Islamic Center at 35 Grove St (near Market) will be holding an Eid Milah un Nabi celebration at 7:30 at the American Friends Hall.
In 1964 (Jul-11), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Jul 11, 1964 ·Page 12-13 reports that the Islamic Center of San Francisco INC is holding an event to honor the birthday of Muhammad (Saw). A dinner party will be held at the YMCA at 4080 Mission St on Saturday Jul-18 at 6:30pm. Dr. Fuad S. Abu-Ziyyad of the Arab center will be the main speaker. Muhammad Abdullah is handling reservations.
In 1964 (Jul-18), the San Francisco Examiner of Sat, Jul 18, 1964 ·Page 11 reports that an Islamic Center is holding a dinner to honor Muhammad (Saw) on Saturday, Jul-18 at 6:30. at the YMCA at 4080 Mission St.
In 1966 (Dec-13), the San Francisco Chronicle of Tue, Dec 13, 1966 ·Page 10 reports that local Muslims at the Islamic Center have begun the month of Ramadhan.
In 1967 (Jan-12), the San Francisco Examiner of Thu, Jan 12, 1967 ·Page 13 reports that more than 500 Muslims of the Bay Area met and celebrated Eid ul Fitr (the end of Ramadhan) at 400 Crescent Ave, SF. This became the Islamic Center of San Francisco (ICSF) at 400 Crescent Avenue in the Bernal Heights neighborhood (the oldest mosque in San Francisco). The community bought a building at 20 Jones Street in the Tenderloin and turned it into Masjid Darussalam, the largest mosque in San Francisco. (Islamic Society of San Francisco n.d.).
In 1968 (Dec-18), the San Francisco Examiner of Wed, Dec 18, 1968 ·Page 44 reports that the Islamic Center of San Francisco will be celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday, Dec-21-1968 at 400 Crescent Ave, SF, Ca. Akbar Khan is the President of the Islamic Center of San Francisco. The Imam is Ihazi Fawal of Lebanon. They will be serving food from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Turkey and Russia.
In 1991, the Islamic Center of San Francisco (ICSF) at 400 Crescent Avenue in the Bernal Heights neighborhood (the oldest mosque in San Francisco). The community bought a building at 20 Jones Street in the Tenderloin and turned it into Masjid Darussalam, the largest mosque in San Francisco. (Islamic Society of San Francisco n.d.).

Continue reading “The history of Islam in San Francisco by Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah”



