Islam Blog

Fifteen years ago the city of Anchorage, Alaska inhabited by only about 200 Muslim residents. But now the city has been home to more than 3000 Muslims. Besides establishing the first mosque, many kosher department store outlets, and kosher pizzeria also appear.

In October 2010, the Muslim community in Anchorage, Alaska succeeded in realizing their dreams by establishing the first mosque in the city. The mosque is located in the Old Seward Highway with views of the Chugach mountain was built with the blessing of the city in August and planned to be completed next year.

Looking at history backward, the Anchorage City is the largest city in the U.S. state of Alaska that has its own system of government. About fifteen years ago, the city is only about 200 are inhabited by minority Muslim population. Today Anchorage has been home to more than 3,000 Muslim residents who came from various countries such as Albania, Somalia, Pakistan and Malaysia.

"It is time for Muslim residents of Alaska to obtain a permanent residence," said Omar Samatar Juba owner Kosher Market. Juba Samatar's Kosher Market is one of three stores in Anchorage that sell products specialist Islamic and Kosher food, including Kosher meat.

Within a few years after he settled in Anchorage, he saw many Muslim migrants who moved from various countries including the country of Somalia. "I opened this shop for me to feel like home. So it is with a new mosque to be built, I think it will really help other Muslims to feel right at home," he said.

Besides having a mosque, now the city of Anchorage residents can also meet the needs of those in department stores that sell Islamic and halal food needs. In fact there are pizzaria which also sells kosher pizza on demand. Although not many facilities at their disposal, but the Muslim population of Anchorage is at least now feel like at home.