How ISOC got its start<\/p>\n
Muslims began arriving in Southern California as early as the 20th century, with roots primarily from South Asian Punjabi descent and the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a small number,\u201d said Sidiqqi. \u201cThey started gathering at religious services and learning about the Quran within their families.\u201d<\/p>\n
As numbers continued to increase, particularly after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Muslims in Southern California formed the basis of the ISOC, and in 1976, it became the first mosque in Orange County.<\/p>\n
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The Islamic Society of Orange county serves thousands of Muslims with prayer, educational, and counseling services, including a youth group. <\/p>\n
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Samanta Helou Hernandez<\/p>\n
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LAist<\/p>\n
)<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, when the community bought this place, they thought it was too big for them,\u201d said Sidiqqi, adding, \u201cSoon a large number of people started coming, and we had to buy neighboring properties.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, the SoCal muslim community is diverse, as people from the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, Latin America and descendants from Europe attend ISOC and share it as a community space.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mother Mosque\u201d<\/p>\n
The Islamic Society of Orange County has grown to become the largest Muslim community center in Southern California, serving more than 10,000 followers throughout the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we call it the mother mosque,\u201d Sidiqqi said.<\/p>\n
The mosque is more than just a place for worship for Muslims in SoCal; it’s a community center.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually attended the elementary school at ISOC called Orange Crescent School,\u201d Helmy said.<\/p>\n
Orange Crescent School is located within the Islamic Society of Orange County Masjid premises in Garden Grove. It currently offers full-time schooling from preschool to 8th grade, and intends to expand its reach and become the first Islamic High School in Orange County<\/a>.<\/p>\n Children’s backpacks hang outside of a classroom at the Orange Crescent School located on the grounds of the Garden Grove mosque. <\/p>\n (<\/p>\n Samanta Helou Hernandez<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n LAist<\/p>\n )<\/p>\n \u201cAll subjects that are taught in other schools are taught here. Aside from that, they learn the Arabic language and Islamic studies,\u201d Sidiqqi said. \u201cWe emphasize very much the moral character of our students, according to Islamic traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n AirTalk listeners also weighed in and shared the role ISOC plays in their lives.<\/p>\n Adis in the city of Orange told Larry, \u201cMy dad was the first president of the youth group organized in the masjid, and my mom was very involved in organizing as well,\u201d adding, \u201cthat was the first place where they met, and it was history from there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just go to hang out with my daughter sometimes over the weekend,\u201d said LAist reporter Yusra Farzan, adding, \u201cThey have cool Friday night programs for kids.\u201d<\/p>\n Equality, leadership, and interfaith outreach<\/p>\n In addition to making inroads with the Muslim society-at-large, ISOC has also played a crucial role in acknowledging the need for women’s representation in its organization.<\/p>\n \u201cLeadership at the masjid has always elevated and highlighted women,\u201d said Helmy, adding that ISOC has \u201creally ensured that women have the space and place to belong, to be able to speak up and to be encouraged to take on leadership roles.\u201d<\/p>\n ISOC offers a variety of services and programs that aim to educate people about Islam and debunk misconceptions and myths about the faith. Sidiqqi recalled being in the nation\u2019s capital the day of the 9\/11 attacks, telling Mantle that he was actually invited by President George W. Bush to participate in the interfaith service that was held at the Washington National Cathedral<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been our work at the ISOC. Bringing understanding, reconciliation, peace, and harmony,\u201d he said. \u201cThese have been the teachings of Islam, and so we invite people to come learn about the faith.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771625949_908_.jpeg\")
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