The other mosque is in Garapan and it was built in 1997.
Their construction was made possible through the efforts of the Muslim faithful on Saipan.
“We generated funds through the donations of our members,” said Habebula Badal, the group’s secretary.
In 1997, when the Saipan Muslim Community was first organized, the group rented a building for their Friday prayers in Chalan Piao.
The island’s Muslims eventually leased a piece of land in As Lito where they constructed their mosque and store.
They also cultivated a farm and the proceeds from its produce were used for their other projects.
Badal said they planned to establish a two-story building for nine Muslim families.
The group, comprising of Muslims from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and the Philippines, is headed by Zahidul Islam.
They have also established mosques on Rota and Tinian.
Five times a day, Muslims say their prayers at their homes or at the mosque.
Every Friday, they gather at the mosque for their noon prayer.
Like other Muslims, they fast during Ramadan and celebrate Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month.
What they need, Badal said, is a new imam, or spiritual leader, who could advice and counsel them in spiritual matters.
They used to have three imams, but one of them already left the island.
Imran Hossian is the imam at the As Lito mosque, while Hafas Kamal Hossain is the imam at the Garapan mosque.
The imam is the one who leads the prayer during Islamic gatherings. Usually, the community turns to the imam if they have an Islamic question.
