The American Moslem Society (AMS), one of the oldest mosques in the entire North America, is celebrating 70 years of catering for the Muslim community’s religious and spiritual needs but also proving many vital services. The mosque was established in 1937, the oldest in Michigan. Since its establishment by a group of Lebanese-Syrian factory workers, the mosque has become a focal point for the Muslim community. It has been playing multiple roles, not only religious and spiritual, and provides counselling to families to cope with their problems.
AMS also works with parents to provide youth and children with the necessary tools to avoid the pitfalls of drugs, violence and other destructive behaviour. Education takes a central stage among the AMS services, as the mosque established two schools to teach the Arabic language, Islamic studies and the recitation of the Qur’ān. AMS has also worked with national and global humanitarian organisations to raise funds, food and other necessities for the poor and victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami.