The history of the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley (ICSGV) spans over four decades. The Center was established by dedicated and forward-thinking Muslims living in the larger San Gabriel Valley area – servicing cities of Walnut, Diamond Bar, Covinas, Rowland Heights, Industry and surrounding areas.
In the late 1970s, several Muslim families moved into the area. At the time, the closest Masjid was over 35 miles away. Initially, Jumm’ah (Friday) and Taraweeh (Ramadan nightly) prayers were conducted in the garages of these families’ homes. As the number of Muslims continued to grow steadily, these families concluded that it was time to dedicate a formal space for praying in Jama’a (congregation) and educating themselves and their children about Islam. It was then that the concept of establishing an Islamic Center was set in motion.
In early 1982, these initial families came together to rent the library room at Lorbeer Middle School — at the corner of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive in the city of Diamond Bar — on Sundays. As a small but regular number of children and adults came to the weekly gatherings, teachers taught classes covering Islamic topics around the middle school library tables. Organizers arranged for Dhur prayers to be performed in the congregation followed by a humble social hour, with families bringing food to share. Everyone stepped in to help the nascent beginnings of ICSGV.
