Beginning in the 1970s, the City of East Orange, New Jersey was becoming home to a growing population of American-born Muslims and Muslim immigrants to Essex County. Masjid As Habul Yameen, which in Arabic can be translated to mean “Companions of the Right Hand,” had its early roots in the 1980s. During that time, a local Muslim merchant could be heard repeatedly echoing his dream while walking along 4th Avenue and 18th Street proclaiming, “Brothers this building is going to be a masjid, soon we’re going to get it, Inshallah (if God Wills).” He was referring to the long-abandoned Midlantic Bank building in the City’s once vibrant Fifth Ward Ampere Business District. In early 1995, a group of Muslim brothers, Abu Bakr Muhammad, Zaid Muhammad, Muhammad Abdul-Lateef, Nu’man Perry and Amin Nathari, formed the Muslim Development Association and began negotiations to purchase the bank building. During this effort, the Association was allowed to occupy the building and a dedicated effort began to prepare and convert the structure to serve as a masjid and community center. In September 1995, the first Jumu’ah prayer (Friday Congregational Service) was held at the then named Muslim Community Center. Amin Nathari served as the first Imam and over the years, Muhammad Jaaber, Khalifa Abdul Wali and Shamshuddin Harun have served as Imams. Since its founding over two decades ago, Masjid As Habul Yameen has established itself as a major religious institution in the City of East Orange. Today, under the visionary leadership and spiritual guidance of Imam Abdoul Aziz Ouedrago, the Masjid continues to grow and prosper.
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