Masjid Al-Taqwa was a mosque located in Altadena, California, United States. It was located on Lake Ave across from the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy. Founded as a historical African American masjid, the mosque became more multicultural in subsequent decades. Its origins date back to the 1970s. It was the first mosque in the Pasadena-Altadena area. The building was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in early January 2025.[1]
It began as a meeting place for members of the Nation of Islam in the 1970s but became a multicultural Islamic center in the following decades.[2]
History
Masjid Al-Taqwa emerged from the Nation of Islam's Temple No. 27, located in South Central Los Angeles. Early founders of the mosque were African-American Muslims in the Altadena area. One such member, Aaron Abdus-Shakoor, recounted attending Fruit of Islam meetings while the worship group was in its infancy. The Altadena mosque had been called multiple names, including Masjid Taawhid.[3] The community initially rented buildings and later repurposed a thrift store, built in 1950,[4] as a permanent space.
In 1991, the Altadena-Pasadena Dawah Center was granted tax-exempt status.[5] Following a meeting, the group changed the name to Masjid Al-Taqwa, taqwa an Islamic term for "piety" or "fear of God."[2][1]
The community purchased the facility on April 2, 1999.[6]
Rebuilding efforts
After the Eaton Fire destroyed the mosque, its leaders started a crowdfunding campaign on LaunchGood to rebuild the property. As of January 26, 2025, it has raised 80% of its $1,000,000 USD goal.[7][8]
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