EXHIBITS
Talking to America: Iranian Communities in Southern California: Celebrations at Alzahra Mosque
Celebrations at Alzahra Mosque, South Gate
Alzahra mosque in South Gate, California is one of the places Shia Muslims can celebrate Islamic events, including the birthday of Prophet Mohammad’s daughter—Fatemeh.
This is one of the only Iranian mosques in Southern California where women are expected to dress in Islamic attire.
Activities at the celebration of Fatemeh's birthday include a yogurt eating contest, recitation of the Quran by young children, and collective prayers. Sweets and other refreshments are served throughout the event.
The Al-zahra mosque holds events for many major Shia celebrations throughout the year. The ceremony pictured below is the celebration of the birthday of the 12th Shia Imam, Imam Mahdi—an aeschatological messianic figure who, according to Islamic beliefs, will appear at the end of times to rid the world of injustice.
