19775 Harper Avenue, Harper Woods, MI 48225
(313)-884-6676 albislamct@aol.com
Explore the rich history and milestones of the Albanian Islamic Center, from its founding to its current role in the community.
Founded in 1945 by a group of Albanian immigrants, the first location for the Albanian American Moslem Society was a recently converted Armenian Church in Highland Park, Michigan, They utilized that location up until 1963, when the Albanian Islamic Center in Harper Woods was established. The Albanian Islamic Center stands as a testament to the enduring faith and unity of the Albanian-American Muslim community. The Center officially opened its doors on November 3, 1963, becoming the the first permanent home for Albanian American Muslims in the United States.
Designed by American architect Frank Beymer, the mosque features a distinctive Balkan Ottoman-style minaret and a copper-colored dome, reflecting the cultural heritage of its founders.
Imam Vehbi Ismail was a visionary leader Under his leadership, the Center became a unifying space for worship, cultural preservation, and political advocacy—especially for religious freedom during Albania's communist era.
Today, the Albanian Islamic Center is led by Imam Shuajb Gerguri and continues to thrive as a center of Islamic learning, spiritual development, and cultural unity. Under his leadership, the Center has undergone a significant expansion nearly tripling its size to enhance accessibility, update interior spaces, and expand programming for youth and families. The building now includes a large prayer hall, a fully equipped banquet facility, classrooms, a kitchen, a gymnasium, and administrative offices—serving both religious and cultural community needs.
Imam Vehbi Ismail (1919–2008) was a renowned Islamic scholar, author, and the long-serving spiritual leader of the Albanian Muslim community in North America. Born in Shkoder, Albania, he was the son of the Grand Mufti, Haji Ismail Alkovaj, and began his religious education in Tirana before continuing at Al-Azhar University in Egypt, one of the most prestigious centers of Islamic learning in the world.
After World War II, due to the rise of Communism in Albania and the suppression of religion, Imam Ismail remained in exile and ultimately made his way to the United States. In 1949, he was invited by the Albanian Muslim community to lead and serve in their new home. For over 60 years he served the community faithfully. With the Albanian Islamic Center being founded in 1963, he became its first imam.
Imam Ismail authored/translated over 35 Islamic books. His most famous work, Muhammad, The Last Prophet, has been translated into multiple languages.
Imam Ismail's legacy lives on in the Detroit community and beyond, as a symbol of faith, scholarship, and service to Albanian Muslims in America.
Imam Shuajb Gerguri is the current imam of the Albanian Islamic Center in Harper Woods, Michigan. He completed his religious education at the Religious highschool in Prishtine, Kosova and later pursued further studies at The Islamic University of Medina in Saudia Arabia. He then continued his studies at American Open University and Marygrove college.
In 1996, Imam Gerguri became an Imam of the Albanian Islamic Center. Under his leadership, the Center has improved in its capacity to serve the Albanian Muslim community and beyond.
He has played a key role in promoting religious tolerance and understanding within the broader American society while maintaining strong ties to the Albanian Muslim community. Imam Gerguri continues to lead the Center with compassion and commitment to serving both spiritual and community needs.
The Albanian Islamic Center operates under the guidance of a dedicated board of directors who work alongside Imam Gerguri to serve the community's spiritual and practical needs. The board consists of committed community members who volunteer their time and expertise to ensure the Center's continued growth and success.
Our leadership team focuses on maintaining the mosque's operations, organizing community events, overseeing educational programs, and fostering connections with the broader Muslim community in Michigan and beyond. The Albanian Islamic Center has strong relationships with Albanian Muslim communities in the Balkans, even hosting many prominent leaders from Albania and Kosova. They work diligently to preserve Albanian cultural traditions while welcoming Muslims from all backgrounds.
The Center's approach to leadership emphasizes consultation (shura), transparency, and service to Allah and the community. Regular board meetings ensure that decisions reflect the needs and values of our diverse congregation while staying true to Islamic principles and Albanian heritage.
Welcome to the Albanian Islamic Center, a place of worship, learning, and community rooted in rich Albanian heritage and Islamic tradition. We strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive space for every member of the Muslim community.
Email Addressalbislamct@aol.com
Phone Number(313)-884-6676
Location19775 Harper Avenue, Harper Woods, MI 48225
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