Columbia mosque faces imam shortage and funding challenges

Ryan Schuessler and with Megan Rentschler and Evan Townsend — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Since 2008, the Islamic Center of Central Missouri has been without an imam – a central community leader in Islam. Although Columbia’s Muslim community has found ways to stay active, it is without a formally trained spiritual leader.

Imams lead prayers, serve as religious scholars and assist with weddings and lectures, among other things.

Muslims in Joplin receive interfaith support after mosque fire

Kellie Kotraba — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:00:00 +0000

It’s been about one month since a fire destroyed the only mosque in Joplin. Now, members of the Islamic Society of Joplin – and the interfaith community there – are picking up the pieces.

The mosque was burned down before daylight on August 6, during the holy month of Ramadan.

The FBI is still investigating the cause of the fire. Earlier in summer, on July 4, someone tried to set fire to the roof. That incident is still under investigation, too.