The First step for Islam reformation in America.

I had a previous appointment to meet Imam Shamsi Ali in the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. Our appointment was set for four in the afternoon. The driver of my taxi let me out at the corner of 3^rd Ave and 96^th street, where the Islamic Cultural center of New York is located. As soon as I disembarked from the taxi I recognized Imam Shamsi Ali. He was walking toward the mosque with a medium size Starbuck’s coffee in his hand. I walked faster and I taped on his shoulder. He immediately turned around and gave me a pleasant smile. We shook hands and he acknowledged that he was expecting me. We walked together toward the Islamic Cultural Center entrance and into a large courtyard. On the right was the Masjid “sanctuary” and on the left was a long corridor leading to the offices of the facility. He led me to his personal office. There we sat down and engaged in a very sincere discussion.

Conversation with Imam Shamsi Ali

By Mano Bakh

The Islamic Cultural Center of New York is a Mosque in Manhattan, New York City. It is on third Ave, between East 96^th and East 97^th streets. The Islamic Cultural Center was the first mosque built in New York City.  Shamsi Ali, a native Indonesian is the Imam of this mosque and he is known for his outreach; speaking at interfaith events with Jewish and Christian leaders, connecting mosques and synagogues and teaching classes about Islam to non-Muslims.