A WELCOME FOR EVERY JOURNEY

Faith takes root.
Community helps
it grow.

A place for new Muslims to find their people, ask questions, and take the next step in faith with someone by their side.

Starting in Chicagoland, with room to grow.

Illustration of a garden path leading to a mosque beneath a crescent moon

01 CONNECTION

Find your people.

Meet someone who understands what it’s like to be new, find a mentor, or get in touch with an organization ready to help.

Places to reach out

Chicagoland & online

GainPeace

Ask for one-to-one mentorship, new Muslim classes, or help finding community.

Find support

Bridgeview, Illinois

Mosque Foundation

Contact the local mosque about a first visit, community programs, or speaking with an imam.

Visit the mosque site

Online

New Muslim Academy

Browse beginner-friendly courses on belief and daily Muslim practice.

Explore courses

MEMBER DIRECTORY

Meet peers and mentors

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MEMBER MAP

Find community nearby.

Choose an area to filter the directory. The map shows how many members opted in for each region.

Broad regions only. No live location or addresses.

Create your profile

Choose how you want to show up in the community.

02 LEARNING

Islam Basics

Start here if you’re exploring Islam or are new to the faith. Each short lesson includes a practical next step.

01Who is Allah?

Muslims believe in one God, the Creator, who alone is worthy of worship. Allah is the Arabic word for God. The oneness of God is called tawḥīd.

Try this Read the short chapter Al-Ikhlāṣ and note what it says about God.

Read Qur’an 112
02The shahada and the five pillars

The shahada is the testimony that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger. The other pillars are the five daily prayers, obligatory almsgiving (zakāh), fasting in Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Makkah for those able to undertake it.

Try this Try explaining each pillar in one sentence. Bring your questions to a mentor.

Read the Hadith of Gabriel (English)
03Learn your first prayer

Ṣalāh is the prescribed prayer. Muslims pray at five times throughout the day and face the Kaaba in Makkah. Wuḍūʾ is the ritual washing commonly performed before prayer. Al-Fātiḥah is the opening chapter of the Qur’an and a core recitation in the prayer.

Try this Listen to Al-Fātiḥah while reading its meaning. Ask someone to walk you through the movements and recitation.

Listen to and read Al-Fātiḥah
04The Qur’an and the Prophet

Muslims believe the Qur’an is revelation from God to Prophet Muhammad, the final messenger. The Sunnah is his example. Hadith are reports that preserve his teachings and practices.

Try this Read a short passage in a language you understand. Write down one question to explore.

Explore the Qur’an
05Ramadan and fasting

In Ramadan, Muslims who are required to fast abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. There are exemptions in situations such as illness and travel. Ramadan is also a time for prayer, generosity, and reflection.

Try this Read the passage about fasting. A local mentor can help you prepare for your first Ramadan.

Read Qur’an 2:183
06Put faith into practice

Islam calls Muslims to worship God and treat people with honesty, care, and generosity. Zakāh is obligatory for those who meet its conditions. Ṣadaqah is voluntary charity and can include acts of kindness.

Try this Choose one small act of service this week. Ask a friend to join you.

Read Qur’an 49:13

Keep learning

Start here

First steps in Islam

Build a foundation in belief, prayer, and everyday practice at your own pace.

See lessons
Build confidence

Da’wah with care

Practice sharing Islam with wisdom, empathy, and respect for the person in front of you.

See lessons
Go deeper

Dialogue & debate

Compare viewpoints fairly, check sources, and stay constructive when you disagree.

See lessons

01First steps in Islam

Make a simple first-week plan

Start with the meaning of the shahada, learning how to pray, and finding someone you trust to ask questions. Pick one short lesson for today and write down one question for a mentor.

New Muslim Academy
Find someone to learn with

Ask a mentor to walk through wudu and a prayer with you. If you feel comfortable, arrange a first mosque visit together and ask what to expect.

GainPeace mentoring

02Da’wah with care

Listen before you answer

Ask what brought up the question. Repeat what you heard and check that you understood it. Ask whether the other person would like to hear the Muslim perspective.

Qur’an 16:125
Practice a short explanation

In a minute, explain what Muslims mean by worshipping God alone. Try it with a partner and ask which words felt unclear. If a question goes beyond what you know, offer to look it up together.

iERA outreach resources

03Dialogue & debate

Restate the other view fairly

In a practice dialogue, have each person state the other’s position in their own words. Let the other person correct it before you raise an objection. Name one point of agreement.

Qur’an 29:46
Build and test an argument

Write one conclusion, the premises supporting it, and the strongest objection you can find. Separate claims about history from claims about theology. Check quotations in context and identify which premise remains disputed.

Qur’an 16:125

RESOURCE LIBRARY

Read, watch, listen.

Browse beginner-friendly books, video channels, and podcasts. Each resource shows its language.

Books & reading

Video channels

EnglishYaqeen Institute

Talks and series on the Qur’an, Islamic history, and spiritual life.

EspañolIslamInSpanishTV

Spanish-language talks, community stories, and introductions to Islam.

Podcasts

EnglishQur’an 30 for 30

Yaqeen’s series of conversations reflecting on sections of the Qur’an.

EspañolHola Islam

Spanish-language conversations on Islam and Muslim life, with links to podcast apps.

03 COMMUNITY SERVICE

Good grows when we give.

Find a way to serve with your time. Check current dates and requirements with each organizer.

Food access

Pack food for Chicago neighbors

Greater Chicago Food Depository · Chicago, IL

Help sort and repack groceries for distribution. Register directly for an available shift.

View volunteer opportunities
Refugee support

Welcome newly arrived families

RefugeeOne · Chicago, IL

Explore volunteer roles supporting refugees as they settle in Chicago. Check the time commitments for each role.

View volunteer opportunities

04 COMMUNITY FORUM

What’s on your mind?

Ask a question, share an idea, or talk with others about learning, service, and da’wah. English, Spanish, and Arabic are welcome.

Disagree with ideas respectfully. Keep personal details out of posts. Your profile display name appears with each post.

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