The Den-en-Toshi Islamic Culture Center (DTICC), previously operating from a rented space known as Ichigao Musolla, has strived to cater to the essential needs of the Muslim community along the Den-en-Toshi Line. We provided a space for daily and weekly prayers, along with organizing diverse educational activities and programs, such as Quran studies and Islamic cultural workshops.

Unfortunately, water leakage and subsequent renovation issues forced us to vacate Ichigao Musolla. Our attempts to secure another rented space proved difficult due to the owner’s reluctance to accommodate a prayer room, citing concerns about noise and unfamiliar cultural practices.

To solve this issue, we have been trying for the last few months to secure a permanent place for the Masjid. After looking at many places, we finally found a property that matches our criteria and the owner agreed to sell it to us for Masjid purposes. The current property has two old houses that need to be renovated before we can use them for prayer and other activities.

On September 26, 2022, DTICC registered as a non-profitable organization in Japan. We aim for this proposed Masjid and Islamic culture center project to meet the growing needs of the Muslim community in this area. This would be the first dedicated Masjid along the Den-en-Toshi Line and only the second in Yokohama city.

 

Our Community 

The Muslim community along the Den-en-Toshi line, numbering around 600 (over 200 families) individuals, represents various nationalities, including Bangladeshi, Indonesian, Egyptian, Ghanaian, Indian, Malaysian, Pakistani, Saudi Arabian, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, and others. This community is steadily growing due to several factors.

Notably, educational prospects at renowned institutions like the Tokyo Institute of Technology have attracted Muslim students. Additionally, the area’s proximity to Tokyo has led to numerous job opportunities, with companies such as Rakuten being a significant employer of international candidates. Moreover, other corporations in the region also actively recruit and offer employment to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, contributing to the increasing Muslim population in this area.

Our Activities 

The Ichigao Musolla was established in January 2019 with a primary focus on offering a variety of religious activities and programs. It has served as a dedicated space for daily prayers, Friday congregational prayers, Ramadan iftar arrangements, and a wide range of educational initiatives catering to both children and adults.

Throughout its existence, the Musolla has been a hub for numerous activities, including:

• Monthly Islamic lecture series in Bangla, English, and Indonesian languages
• Al-Qur’an practice
• Quran classes focusing on reading Madani Mushaf
• Learning about the life of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wassallam)
• Reading Hadith sessions
• Ramadan events such as Iftar and night prayers
• Children’s Islamic education, and various other engaging activities

However, despite its active role, the Musolla faced challenges due to its relatively limited capacity and size. Eventually, we were forced to vacate the premises, leading to the cessation of most of our activities.

“We used Ichigao Musolla as our base for these activities, but after being compelled to vacate the premises, most of our activities came to a halt.” Kids event, community event, Eid prayer, iftar event, Quran class, marriage event, Islamic lecture and carpet cleaning.

Our Objectives

The Den-En-Toshi Islamic Culture Center (DTICC) envisions transforming into an inclusive Muslim service hub, fostering a space for worship, education, community engagement, and cultural exchange. Our aim is to create an inviting environment for both residents and non-residents of the Den-En-Toshi line, encouraging open dialogue between Japanese citizens and Muslims, allowing for a deeper understanding of Islam’s history, essence, and beauty. Our objectives encompass:

1. Facilitating the five daily prayers, Friday prayers, and Eid prayers.
2. Promoting and imparting the teachings and values of Islam.
3. Providing resources for Islamic and Al Qur’an studies.
4. Establishing an educational platform for children to learn about Islam.
5. Hosting Islamic wedding ceremonies.
6. Offering funeral services in accordance with Islamic customs.
7. Assisting newcomers in adapting to Japanese culture.
8. Serving as a Da’wa center, inviting discussions and understanding about Islam.
9. Establishing an Islamic library for the community.
10. Organizing Islamic lectures and discussion programs.
11. Building bridges for non-Muslims to learn more about Islam, fostering multicultural understanding.
12. Being the sole Masjid serving the Muslim community along the Den-en-Toshi line and neighboring areas.
13. Providing additional community services.

DTICC aims to evolve into a multifaceted center that not only caters to the spiritual needs of the Muslim community but also serves as a valuable resource for cultural exchange, education, and community engagement within and beyond the Den-En-Toshi vicinity.

 

Why Do We Need a Masjid?

1. Space Constraints: Our previous Musolla, while cherished, was limited in capacity, especially during Friday prayers and community events. Unfortunately, we can no longer use this space due to water leakage and subsequent renovation-related problems. Also, current rental place (hourly-based) lacked sufficient space to accommodate 
2. Inclusive Programs: We aim to provide separate spaces for men, women, and children simultaneously, fostering a vibrant, inclusive community. Renting another space has proven challenging, as owners are reluctant to rent to us for use as a prayer room due to concerns about noise and cultural differences.
3. Ramadan Challenges: During the blessed month of Ramadan, our current arrangements struggle to accommodate the increased number of worshippers. A dedicated Masjid will ensure that we can meet the community’s needs during this special time.
4. Permanent Solution: After months of searching, we have finally found a property that meets our criteria and can be purchased for masjid purposes. This property has two old houses that need renovation before we can use them for prayers and other activities. This permanent solution will help us overcome the recurring challenges of renting and provide a stable, reliable space for our community.

 

Proposed Location 

We have identified an ideally situated property close to Nagatsuta Station, accessible via the Den-en-Toshi Line, JR Yokohama Line, and the smaller Kodomonokuni Line. This strategic location offers excellent connectivity, being just 5 minutes by train from Machida, 30 minutes from Rakuten, and approximately 3 km from the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

The property provides a spacious and serene setting, available at a competitive price, making it particularly suitable for the Muslim community. It features expansive prayer spaces, dedicated areas for women, and ample outdoor spaces for children’s activities. Additionally, its proximity to less crowded residential areas ensures a quieter environment, enhancing its appeal for community gatherings and activities.

This location is not only optimal for easy access to key areas via multiple train lines but also caters effectively to the needs of the Muslim community living or commuting along the Den-en-Toshi and JR Yokohama lines.