Islamic Center of Washington, Religious center in Embassy Row, Washington D.C., United States.
The Islamic Center of Washington is an architectural structure in Mameluke Revival style in Washington D.C., United States. The building displays stonework with geometric patterns, a slender minaret rising approximately 160 feet (49 meters), and arches over the entrance doors.
President Eisenhower attended the opening ceremony in 1957, marking the completion of a project that had begun after World War II. Several countries sent craftsmen and materials to Washington to support the construction during the 1950s.
The prayer hall opens toward the southeast to face Mecca, creating an unusual orientation for buildings along Massachusetts Avenue. People of different backgrounds gather for Friday prayers, and visitors can view the written calligraphy on the walls during open hours.
The center sits directly on Massachusetts Avenue in Embassy Row, making it easy to reach by public transport or on foot from nearby neighborhoods. Visitors should dress modestly and check current visiting hours before planning a visit.
The library preserves rare manuscripts and religious texts that scholars and interested visitors can examine upon request. The minaret serves as a landmark for travelers along Massachusetts Avenue and can be seen from several blocks away.
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