About LIMS

After Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, there was an influx of Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States, especially to New York City. By the early eighties, most of these immigrants gradually moved out to Long Island. They felt the need to organize themselves for continuing their religious practices and to improve their spirituality. Lutful Huq Chowdhury, a pharmacist, took the initiative of exploring the idea of establishing a religious organization.

After consulting with friends and peers, Mr. Chowdhury registered an organization with New York State on August 4, 1989 as The Long Island Muslim Society, Inc. (LIMS). On April 26, 1990, an interim executive committee was formed followed by a constitution and bylaws committee.

The interim committee decided to hold an Eid-ul-Adha (a Muslim holiday) reunion of the Bangladeshi Muslims living on Long Island to solicit their support for LIMS. About fifty families gathered on a Sunday afternoon, December 9, 1990 at this reunion at Westbury mosque. At the gathering, the constitution was adopted, and the nominations for the first executive committee were placed and approved.

The first priority of this newly formed executive committee was to teach the Muslim children how to read and understand the Qur'an. As a result, in June 1991, a small facility off of Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown was rented. This place was mainly used to hold Friday and Saturday Qur'anic classes. Iftar parties and Eid reunions were held here as well.

As the organization grew, LIMS was able to purchase a house in East Meadow in December 1993.In addition to the weekend Qur'anic classes, several other programs were introduced, such as Arabic language, reading and interpretation of the Qur'an for adults, monthly video discussions, youth seminar, etc. In July 1999, LIMS was able to further expand its center by buying the neighboring house with the vision of building a bigger and better facility to be used for community events and regular prayer services.

LIMS is strictly a member-supported organization. Membership has now expanded beyond Long Island, and Muslims of other ethnicities are also now active participants in this organization.

The mission of the Long Island Muslim Society is to organize Muslims in the area and help them stay on the path dictated by the Holy Qur'an and practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through educational and spiritual means. LIMS also gives its priority to the children born into the Islamic faith to help them realize their spiritual heritage and practice Islam accordingly.

Through its activities, LIMS wants non-Muslims to understand and appreciate the teachings of Islam. LIMS envisions its rightful place in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition and seeks understanding, friendship, and peace. The Long Island Muslim Society is committed to work in concert with other Islamic organizations and establishments in North America to realize its goals.