Masjid Sabiqun

Masjid Sabiqun of Baton Rouge opened its doors to evacuees fleeing New Orleans after the Hurricane Katrina disaster. From August 27 to October 15, 2005, 140 victims (Muslims and non-Muslims alike) of Hurricane Katrina were given shelter, food and other relief at the mosque. This mosque allows local Shias, who do not have a house of worship of their own, to organize in the Masjid on Thursday night. Masjid Sabiqun is also known as the Islamic Complex, and is located just north of the LSU campus. The atmosphere is friendly, and gender equitable. Women can and do serve in the administrative structure. Other expressions of Islam are welcome. A traditional Sunni mosque, shia members have a Thursday night gathering, and sometimes give the khutbah. There is no barrier in the main hall, no separate room for women. Children are taught to behave. The premises are clean and inviting.