Uganda Islamic
Community of California
We are a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit with headquarters in the Greater Los Angeles area and nine regional chapters across California. Our mission is to provide wraparound support centered in faith to our fellow Ugandan Muslims, so they can thrive in the diaspora.
Our Purpose
We are on a mission to foster unity among Ugandan Muslim brothers and sisters in California and the broader diaspora. We aim to provide access to economic and social opportunities through education, on-the-job skills training, retraining, and other Islamic faith-centered resources to help our community thrive.
We are dedicated to contributing to and promoting Islamic values and a way of life while integrating with the broader interfaith and multicultural American society.
– Al-Baqarah 2:163
Our Community
UICC community members at our fundraising app launch in January 2025
We are a California-based community of Ugandan Muslims, with many of our people in the Greater Los Angeles. Our community is open to all Ugandan Muslims living in the state and their relatives by marriage, other family connections, Ugandan Muslims in the Diaspora, and well-wishers.
Join us for Jummah Prayers, get-togethers, religious functions, or if you need to speak to the Imam. Everyone is welcome.
Our Islamic Center is located at 21044 Sherman Way, Suite 102C. Canoga Park, CA 91303
Where We Operate
Our California community is organized in ten chapters, with Los Angeles as our headquarters and nine regional chapters across the state. We use the state’s census regional data to identify, mobilize, and connect our people.
Do you live outside our Greater Los Angeles area? No problem. We have regional chapters across California, let us know where you are, we will connect you to the regional chapter leaders.
| Region | Name | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Superior California | Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, Yuba |
| 2 | North Coast | Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Trinity |
| 3 | San Francisco Bay Area | Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano |
| 4 | North San Joaquin Valley | Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus |
| 5 | Central Coast | Tuolumne Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura |
| 6 | Southern San Joaquin Valley | Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Tulare |
| 7 | Inland Empire | Riverside, San Bernardino |
| 8 | Los Angeles County | Los Angeles |
| 9 | Orange County | Orange |
| 10 | San Diego - Imperial | Imperial, San Diego |
Our Foundation
Our community’s mission is grounded in the timeless principles of our faith. Our Deen and it’s Five Pillars are more than rituals, they are the framework for how we live, serve, and uplift one another. These pillars guide our commitment to spiritual growth, community service, and ethical leadership.
As a faith-based organization, we not only nurture our own but also build bridges with others. Our values of prayer, charity, and integrity shape how we engage across cultures and faiths, creating a welcoming space for dialogue, understanding, and shared progress.
The Religion of Islam
Islam means submission to God. It is derived from the same root word as salaam, which means peace. The main basis of Islam is the submission of oneself to the Will of God.
Allah is the Arabic word for God and defines His Oneness and His Uniqueness. He is the God that created Adam and Eve (peace be upon them), the same God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them). Islam is the completion of the Message brought forth by all these Prophets that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by God through the archangel Gabriel.
Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the last and final Messenger of Allah. He delivered the Message that over 2 billion Muslims around the globe follow, which consists of the Qur’an, the Spoken Word of God, and the Sunnah (actions) and Hadith (sayings) of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
“They regard their acceptance of Islam as a favor to you. Tell them, O Prophet, Do not regard your Islam as a favor to me. Rather, it is Allah Who has done you a favor by guiding you to the faith, if indeed you are faithful”-
Al-Hujurat 49:17
The Five Pillars of Islam
Islam has five primary obligations, or pillars of faith, that each Muslim must fulfill in his or her lifetime. The five pillars of Islam define the basic identity of Muslims – their faith, beliefs, and practices – and bind together a worldwide community of believers into a fellowship of shared values and concerns. They are as follows:
Shahada
[Declaration of Faith]
Salat
[Prayer]
The observation of five daily prayers – Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha.
Zakat
[Almsgiving]
Every year, an able Muslim must give a certain percentage of their wealth to the needy.
Sawm
[Fasting]
Hajj
[Pilgrimage]
Every year, millions of Muslims follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Abraham and his family and go to the holy city of Mecca.
Shahada [Declaration of Faith]
The First Pillar
At UICC, everything begins with belief. The declaration that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His messenger is the foundation of our identity. It guides our purpose, our programs, and our outreach, anchoring us in truth while inviting others to understand our faith with openness and respect.
Shahada is the declaration of faith. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim’s complete acceptance of and total submission to the Will of Allah.
The Arabic phrase for the Shahada is: “La ilaha illallah, Muhammad Rasulullah”
Translation:
“La ilaha illallah” means “There is no god but Allah.”
“Muhammad Rasulullah” means “Muhammad ﷺ is the messenger of Allah.”
By uttering the Shahada sincerely and with conviction, a person formally converts to Islam. This declaration of faith is the foundation of Islamic belief, emphasizing God’s oneness and Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood. Muslims recite the Shahada in various contexts, including during their prayers and in moments of personal affirmation of their faith.
“Your God is only One God. There is no god ˹worthy of worship except Him—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful”
– Al-Baqarah 2:163
Salah [Prayer]
The Second Pillar
Although salah can be performed alone, performing it with another or a group is commendable. It is also acceptable to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however, it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a Mosque.
Salah, also known as Salat or Prayer, is a fundamental act of worship for Muslims. It is an essential part of our daily lives to seek guidance, forgiveness, and blessings from Allah and to fulfill our rights to Him. Salah involves performing specific physical movements and recitations while facing the Qiblah.
Our Islamic faith is based on the belief that individuals have a direct relationship with God. Muslims worldwide turn individually and collectively to the Ka’bah [Qiblah], in Makkah, Islam’s holiest city, to offer five daily prayers at dawn [Fajr], noon [Dhuhr], mid-afternoon [Asr], sunset [Maghrib], and evening [Isha]. In addition, Friday congregational service at the Mosque is also recommended.
Although salah can be performed alone, performing it with another or a group is commendable. It is also acceptable to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however, it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a Mosque.
“Observe prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and morning prayer and reading the Qur’an; for the prayer and reading in the morning is ever witnessed”
– Al-Isra 17:78
Daily Prayer Times
Los Angeles, CA
Kampala, Uganda
Zakat [Almsgiving]
The Third Pillar
Giving is how we grow. Zakat is more than obligation, it’s a commitment to justice, equity, and care. Through our programs, UICC channels this pillar into real impact: supporting new immigrants, uplifting struggling families, and building a center that serves all.
Zakat, Zakaat or Zakah, is a social responsibility and is considered part of one’s service to God; the obligatory act of zakat enshrines this duty. This means that Zakat is mandatory for Muslims, along with the other four sacred pillars of Islam. For every sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount, known as the Nisab, he or she must pay 2.5% of that wealth, excluding obligations and family expenses, as Zakat.
Zakat prescribes payment of fixed proportions of a Muslim’s possessions for the welfare of the entire community and for its neediest members. Eligible Muslims must pay Zakat once a year, and it is due as soon as one lunar (Islamic) year has passed since meeting or exceeding the Nisab (a certain amount of wealth). The Zakat of every Muslim is then distributed to those who meet the criteria to receive it.
There are several ways to pay your Zakat each year, and Sadaqah. UICC partners with GiveMajid to make your Zakat and Sadaqah giving easier. UICC follows the Sharia Law to distribute both Zakat and Sadaqah once received.
To pay your Zakat or contribute to one of our causes and help the UICC community expand our reach, use the donation link below. For UICC causes, please consider making a one-time or recurring donation to support our efforts. May Allah accept your good deeds and bless you abundantly in this life and the hereafter.
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We are raising $2.5M by 12/31/2030, Help us reach our goal!
“The deeds most loved by Allah (are those) done regularly, even if they are small”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
“Indeed, those who believe, do good, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax will receive their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve”
– Al-Baqarah 2:277
Sawm [Fasting]
The Forth Pillar
During Ramadan and beyond, fasting reminds us of restraint, gratitude, and empathy. At UICC, we honor this pillar through community iftars, youth education, and interfaith dialogue, sharing the spiritual and social dimensions of Sawm with humility and hospitality.
Sawm is the Arabic term used to describe the act of fasting. Able Muslims past the age of puberty are required to fast during the month of Ramadan, which entails abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, and displeasing speech and behavior from dawn until dusk.
The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and includes the night in which the holy Qur’an was first revealed to mankind, known as Laylat al-Qadr (the night of decree). The month of Ramadan, therefore, marks an important moment for mankind and requires special devotion from Muslims.
Ordained in the Holy Qur’an, the fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God. Fasting is also an exercise in self-control whereby one’s sensitivity is heightened to the sufferings of the poor. Ramadan, the month during which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), begins with the sighting of the new moon, after which abstention from eating, drinking, and other sensual pleasures is obligatory from dawn to sunset. Muslims break their fast at sunset with a special meal [Iftar], perform additional nocturnal worship [Tarawih] after evening prayer, and celebrate in moods that are festive and communal. .
The end of Ramadan is observed by three days of celebration called Eid Al-Fitr, the feast of the breaking of the fast. Customarily, it is a time for family reunion and the favored holiday for children who receive new clothing and gifts.
“O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah”
– Al-Baqarah 2:183
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Ramadan 2026
February 17, 2026 @ 7:00 pm – March 30, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
Assalam Alaikum, dear brothers and sisters:
UICC wishes you a beautiful year ahead, until the next Ramadan. Please help us reach our community goals by automating your next Ramadan donation to UICC. Your donation is tax-deductible and appreciated by our community. May Allah reward your charity with goodness here on earth and in the hereafter.
Thank!
UICC
Hajj [Pilgrimage]
The Fifth Pillar
Though not all may go, the spirit of Hajj lives in our hearts. It teaches sacrifice, unity, and submission. UICC embraces this pillar by fostering a sense of global connection, linking our local work to the broader ummah and encouraging reflection, renewal, and reverence.
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. For those Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah, the Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty that is the peak of their religious life.
It is the sacred pilgrimage performed by Muslims at the holy Mosque of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Hajj takes place during the same period each year – during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month in the Islamic Calendar. Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
The Hajj is a remarkable spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world in the holy city. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed during his last pilgrimage.
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Hajj 2026
May 25, 2026 @ 7:00 pm – May 30, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
As-Salam Alaykum, dear brothers and sisters:
UICC wishes you a beautiful year ahead, until the next Hajj. Please help us reach our community goals by automating your next Ramadan donation to UICC. Your donation is tax-deductible and appreciated by our community. May Allah reward your charity with goodness here on earth and in the hereafter.
Thank!
UICC
“Complete the pilgrimage [Hajj] and minor pilgrimage [Umrah] for Allah. But if prevented ˹from proceeding˺, then ˹offer˺ whatever sacrificial animals you can afford. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its destination. But if any of you is ill or has a scalp ailment ˹requiring shaving˺, then compensate either by fasting, charity, or a sacrificial offering. In times of peace, you may combine the pilgrimage and minor pilgrimage, then make the sacrificial offering you can afford. Whoever cannot afford that ˹offering˺, let them fast three days during pilgrimage and seven after returning ˹home˺—completing ten. These offerings are for those who do not live near the Sacred House. And be mindful of Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment”
–Al-Baqarah 2:196
