The culturally rich and diverse Bosnian American community of Detroit was established in the early 90s’ with the arrival of the first Bosnian refugees and their families to the United States, including the metro Detroit area. The Bosnian American Islamic Center of Detroit (BAIC Detroit, 501(c)3 non-profit organization; tax-ID:38-3266884) originally opened in Hamtramck in 1998, plays a crucial role in preserving Bosnian and Islamic tradition, culture, and identity through prayers, youth events and support, as well as community service.

The mission and the purpose of BAIC Detroit is not only to preserve original Bosnian roots and identity through religion, education, cultural and social events but to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue, to build new relationships as well as strengthen existing ones with other ethnic groups locally and beyond by promoting equality and reducing ethnic marginalization. Our vision extends beyond the walls of religious practice to encompass a sanctuary where individuals of diverse backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and cultivate a sense of shared humanity, social justice, and interfaith understanding. Our values include fostering a resilient and inclusive community that thrives on the principles of peace, understanding, and unity while preserving our Bosnian identity. We aim to create a safe haven where our children and worshippers can practice their faith without fear, ensuring the protection of lives and the preservation of religious freedom.

The BAIC Detroit property in the city of Hamtramck, due to its small size, could not sustain all the religious, educational, cultural, and social gatherings and activities. Therefore, in 2019, our community purchased a new property in the city of Sterling Heights, MI, a densely populated high risk urban area (density population 3600-3700 people/square mile). The building of a new multifunctional, state of the art BAIC center consisting of a mosque, classrooms, cafeteria, social hall, and gymnasium is currently in process. The multifunctional complex will consist of an existing building of approximately 2400 sq. ft. and a new proposed building of approximately 21,000 sq. ft in the heart of Macomb County, MI (11063 16 1/2 Mile Rd Sterling Heights, MI 48312).

Dzematski Odbor 2023

Why do we need a center?

• To provide the community with an environment in which its members will learn and practice their faith.

• To be able to integrate and assimilate with both local and regional communities to inform them about the correct messages of Islam and what BAIC stands for

• To bring an awareness of Islamic values where BAIC will be a place anyone regardless of background will be able to seek social, educational, spiritual and recreational programs aimed to develop strong personalities that will help their community and society at large.

• Establish a very strong youth, which BAIC believes is the foundation of any successful society, by providing them with an environment for worship and spiritual development, as well as a center where they will be provided an opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed and become our next leaders.

 Sto je nam potreban centar?

- Osigurati zajednicu u kojem će njeni članovi učiti i prakticirati svoju vjeru.

- Da se mogu integrirati i asimilirati i sa lokalnom i sa regionalnom zajednicom kako bi ih informirali o ispravnim porukama Islama i onome za šta se BAIC zalaže. 

- Da bi se osvijestila islamska vrijednost, gdje će BAIC biti mjesto, svako bez obzira na porijeklo moći će tražiti socijalne, obrazovne, duhovne i rekreativne programe usmjerene na razvoj snažnih ličnosti koje će pomoći njihovoj zajednici i društvu u cjelini.

- Uspostavite vrlo jaku omladinu, za koju BAIC vjeruje da je temelj svakog uspješnog društva, pružajući im okruženje za obožavanje i duhovni razvoj, kao i centar u kojem će im se pružiti prilika da steknu potrebna znanja i vještine za uspjeti i postati naši sljedeći lideri.