By Farooq Ahmed
The Muslim community in the greater Kansas City area is a diverse and growing demographic currently estimated at over 60,000 residents. This represents more than a doubling of the population since the early 2000s, driven by a combination of natural growth, professional migration, conversion, immigration and resettlement. Like many others from across the country, Muslims neighbors have been attracted to the region because of its family-friendliness; its low cost of living; the ease at which one can start a business–and of course its reputation for “Kansas City nice.”
The community is characterized by profound ethnic diversity with no single group forming a majority. While South Asian and Arab Muslims now represent significant portions of the population, there are also substantial African American, east African, Eastern European and Central and Southeast Asian communities.
Muslim Americans have been in Kansas City since at least the 1950s. That’s when local followers of Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam established Mohammad’s Temple Number 30 on Swope Parkway–the first mosque in the city. Donors for the temple included heavyweight boxing champion and civil rights activist Muhummad Ali.
While African American Muslims were the foundation of the community in the city, the demographics quickly shifted after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 also known as the Hart–Celler Act. This law removed discriminatory barriers to immigration at a time when the US needed skilled workers to sustain post-World War II-era growth. The new law spurred the establishment of a community of Muslim professionals, mostly from South Asia and the Middle East, in the Kansas City area. By the early 1980s, this group had outgrown a temporary space for worship on Rainbow Boulevard and established the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City, building a mosque and community center in south Kansas City. Over the years, the site expanded to include the city’s first full-time Islamic school as well as a Muslim cemetery, which is now one of the largest of its kind in the US.
While Kansas Citians may sometimes feel removed from global affairs, turmoil in other parts of the world has spurred immigration into the region. The 1990s saw war in eastern Europe and eastern Africa, resulting in the establishment of Bosnian and Somali Muslim communities, mostly in northeast Kansas City. This pattern played out again in the 2000s, and immigrants from Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan found their way to the Heartland.
Global turmoil was not the only international factor that expanded the Muslim population in the Kansas City area. The arrival of multi-national companies into Overland Park, for example, as well as the expansion of national ones also attracted Muslim professionals from across the country and around the world.
Today, Muslims in the greater Kansas City area have established themselves in nearly every professional, social and civic venue. Together, there are nearly two dozen Muslim houses of worship, schools and community centers; there are Muslim-led interfaith groups, non-profits, professional societies and medical clinics; there are an innumerable number of halal restaurants, grocery stores and cafes that meet the requirements of Islamic dietary laws; nearly every major school district, college and university has a Muslim Students Association; there are Muslim recreational soccer, flag football and basketball leagues; and KC even has its own Muslim influencers on social media.
Islamic influence on Kansas City, however, predates the establishment of Muslim communities in the city. In 1923, controversial real estate developer J.C. Nichols christened the Country Club Plaza–the nation’s first planned outdoor shopping mall designed to accommodate car traffic. Nichols tasked architect Edward Buehler Delk to draw inspiration from Seville, Spain–one of KC’s sister cities. The ornate design of the Plaza reflects the Moorish influence of the Andalusian city. Many of the buildings feature elements of classic Islamic architecture, including multi-lobed arches, geometric brickwork and even recessed niches from where a call to prayer would have been issued. The Plaza’s Giralda tower itself is a half-scale replica of the same tower in Seville. It was originally built as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville.
Below are a few resources for Muslims visitors and residents in the greater Kansas City area. See also the Kansas City Halal Dining Guide
Houses of Worship
While these masjids, mosques and Islamic centers often cater to specific communities, they welcome all visitors, worshipers and congregants. Nearly all offer daily prayers and Jummah congregational prayers on Friday, and they host a variety of educational programs for adults and children. Please check their websites for more details on prayer times and a complete list of offerings.
Most colleges and universities have prayer/quiet reflection rooms. All area hospitals have a prayer chapel or room. Kansas City International Airport also has a quiet room that can be used for prayer.
Al-Haqq Islamic Center
6941 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132
Located just east of Blenheim Park, Al-Haqq is led by Imam Sulaiman Z. Salaam, who has served as a chaplain for the City Council of Kansas City.
Al-Inshirah Islamic Center
3664 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64109
Established in 1982, Al Inshirah is one of the oldest masjids in the area. It serves an ethnically diverse community in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City.
Al-Taqwa Islamic Center
1340 Admiral Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106
Located in northeast Kansas City, the center serves more than 6,000 members, many of whom arrived as refugees.
Az-Zhara Islamic Center
8350 Leavenworth Rd, Kansas City, KS 66109
This Kansas City, KS mosque serves a largely Shia congregation.
Islamski Centar Bosnjak Kansas City
3607 N Antioch Rd, Kansas City, MO 64117
This North Kansas City masjid serves a predominantly Bosnian community.
Islamic Center of Johnson County (ICJC)
9005 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66221
Incorporated in 2000, ICJC primarily serves a community of more than 7,000 congregants in the Johnson County area and has a robust schedule of weekday and weekend Islamic classes.
Islamic Center of Kansas (ICK)
14750 W 143rd St, Olathe, KS 66062
The Islamic Center of Kansas has served the Olathe area for more than twenty years. Together with the Muslim American Society of Kansas City, they are building the Hedaya School & Islamic Center in Overland Park, which will house a masjid, a school, a community center and gym.
Islamic Center of Leavenworth
545 Oregon St, Leavenworth, KS 66048
The center has been serving northeastern Kansas and officers from nearby Fort Leavenworth for over two decades.
Islamic Center of Northland-KC
8801 N Central St, Kansas City, MO 64155
The center serves the diverse communities of North Kansas City and the surrounding areas. The masjid was completed in 2017.
Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City (ISGKC)
8501 E 99th St, Kansas City, MO 64134
One of the longest-running masjids in Kansas City, ISGKC has expanded to include a K-12 Islamic school and a sports complex.
Kansas City Islamic Center (KCIC)
923 South Bethany St, Kansas City, KS 66105
Established in 2023, this Kansas City, KS mosque serves the downtown communities on both sides of the river.
Masjid Al-Salaam
4342 NE Antioch Rd, Kansas City, MO 64117
Masjid Al-Salaam has served the North Kansas City area for more than a decade and includes an Islamic school.
Masjid Al-Huda Center
141 S Van Brunt Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64123
Opened in 1994, the Al-Huda Center is one of the largest mosques in the area. It serves a predominantly Somali community.
Masjid Al-Khair
6920 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132
A Salafi masjid, it opened in 2017
Masjid Maryam
4849 England St, Merriam, KS 66203
Masjid Maryam is part of the Shawnee Mission Islamic Education Center, which serves north-central and western Johnson County, Kansas and nearby areas.
Masjidu Nuur Islamic Community Center
2639 E 11th St, Kansas City, MO 64127
This center hosts a predominantly Somali, Sufi congregation in northeast Kansas City.
Masjid Omar, Islamic Center of Midtown KC (ICM-KC)
2700 E 49th St, Kansas City, MO 64130
Masjid Omar is the first Islamic house of worship in Kansas City. It was established in the 1950s as Mohammad’s Temple Number 30.
Islamic Center of Blue Springs
217 SE South Ave, Blue Springs, MO 64014
This mosque serves the Blue Springs and greater KC area.
Noor Ul Yaqeen Islamic Center
134 N Hardesty Ave, Kansas City, MO 64123
Located in northeast Kansas City, this mosque serves a predominantly Burmese immigrant community.
Islamic Center of Lawrence
1917 Naismith Dr, Lawrence, KS 66046
One of the oldest Muslim communities in the area, the Islamic Center of Lawrence grew out of the University of Kansas Muslim students association, which was established in 1962.
Halal Grocery Stores
Missouri
Afghan International Market
4422 St John Ave, Kansas City, MO 64123
Has a broad selection of spices, dried fruits and nuts from Afghanistan as well as a carry-out restaurant.
Alhabashi Mart
311 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Located in City Market, Alhabashi Mart is one of the oldest Middle Eastern stores in Kansas City, and their restaurant next door serves halal meals.
Al Rahman Mediterranean Market
2536 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64124
Aswaq Al Arabi & Halal Meat
4107 N Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64116
Has a variety of fresh halal meat as well as Mediterranean staples.
Baraka Market
1447 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106
Barakah Halal Market
6420 N Oak Tfwy, Gladstone, MO 64118
Halal meat and international grocery in the Northland.
Halal Mart
9520 James A Reed Rd, Kansas City, MO 64134
Located near the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City, Halal Mart provides South Asian and Middle Eastern products.
Huda Food
3239 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64124
Jasmine Mini Mart
400 NW Englewood Rd, Kansas City, MO 64118
A wide variety of Asian and Middle Eastern products as well as halal meat.
Mediterranean Market
1404 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
A specialty grocery store featuring products from around the Mediterranean.
Kansas
Halal Meat Market and International Groceries
7803 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223
Products include halal meat and groceries from the Middle East and South Asia.
Kanza Mediterranean Market
116 N Clairborne Rd, Olathe, KS 66062
Located in Olathe, they provide a variety of halal products and fresh meals.
Pak Halal International Foods
8010 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223
12259 W 87th St, Lenexa, KS 66215
With two locations in Kansas, Pak Halal serves products from across the Muslim world as well as fresh Middle Eastern meals at the Lenexa location.
Shahrazad Market
12605 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66213
Provides products from across the Middle East.
World Fresh Market
10303 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212
Supermarket with a wide selection of Asian, Middle Eastern and South and Central American groceries as well as fresh halal meals.
Cafes & Coffee Shops
Many of these establishments identify as Muslim-owned businesses. See also the Kansas City Halal Dining Guide.
Missouri
Burek and Cake
3605 NE Antioch Rd, Kansas City, MO
Serves desserts and pastries from Bosnia and the Balkan region.
LaFRESCA Crepes & Ice Cream
1415 W 39th St, Unit D, Kansas City, MO 64111
928 E Old 56 Hwy Olathe, KS 66061
Provides a variety of desserts from crepes to cakes to Dubai chocolate-inspired milkshakes.
Olive Cafe
9530 James A Reed, Rd, Kansas City, MO 64134
Halal eatery and market.
Papu’s Cafe
604 W 75th St, Kansas City, MO 64114
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites near Waldo.
Queen Sweets & Bakery
4107 N Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64116
Serves a full menu of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meals and desserts.
Kansas
Chai Cafe
7908 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223
Serves South Asian dishes and desserts as well as a large selection of chai, milkshakes and lassis.
Golden Coffee
2145 E 151st St, Olathe, KS 66062
Algerian cafe with a full menu, coffee and desserts.
Mocha Point
8641 W 135th St. Overland Park KS 66223
Popular Yemeni coffee shop with savory items as well as fusion desserts like knafeh cheesecake.
Te’ Amo Cafe
7932 w 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223
Family owned cafe with boba, fruit and milk teas, coffee and dessert.
Turath Coffee
9916 College Blvd, Overland Park KS 66210
Palestinian coffee shop featuring snacks and desserts from the Middle East.
Mediterranean Market & Cafe
Bob Billings Pkwy suite B5, Lawrence, KS 66049
Provides a selection of groceries and freshly prepared foods from the Middle East, Mediterranean and South Asia.
Hookah Lounges
Hookah Sahara Sheesha Lounge
3929 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Urban Hookah Lounge
220 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Shisha Room Hookah Lounge
1415 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Westport Hookah Lounge
317 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Nara Hookah Lounge
618 E 99th St, Kansas City, MO 64131
Social Services & Medical Clinics
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Relief- Kansas City
5310 Blue Ridge Cutoff Raytown, MO 64133
ICNA Relief offers a variety of services, including food pantry, women’s transitional housing and emergency and refugee services.
Islamic Center of Johnson County – Solidarity Services
9005 W 151st Street
Overland Park, KS 66221
The Medina Clinic
400 E Red Bridge Rd, Suite 105
Kansas City, MO 64131
Mercy Health Free Clinic
9520 James A Reed Rd. Suite F
Kansas City, MO 64134
Community Organizations
American Muslim Coalition of Kansas City
A platform for area Muslims to share events, knowledge and information to empower the local community. Publishes a weekly news and events digest.
Muslim American Society Kansas City
9520 James A Reed Rd, Kansas City, MO 64134
Local affiliate of a national non-profit that serves the needs of the local Muslim community through events and family programs.
Al-Hadaf KC
A local organization that supports the local Palestinian community and advocates for a free Palestine.
Crescent Peace Society
A Muslim-led organization that raises awareness of Islamic cultures and promotes interfaith dialogue.
Pakistan American Society of Greater Kansas City
Promotes Pakistani culture and dialogue in the local community.
Sudanese Association of Kansas City
Connects the local Sudanese community.
Social Media
Aisha Sharif
African American Muslim author and poet based in Overland Park, KS.
Fatih Seferagic
Bosnian Muslim Quran reciter with more than one million social media followers, Seferagic lives in Stilwell, Kansas.
Saharspage
Lifestyle, food and travel influencer.
Mohamed Herbert
Imam and resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Johnson County.
Abdul Mohsen
Food, travel and lifestyle influencer.
FindHalalKC
Guide to halal restaurants, cafes and grocery stores in the area that is organizing KC’s first ever halal food festival.
KC halal eats
KC area halal eateries.
