Icc Behar (Dzemat Behar Grand Rapids)

ICC Behar is a Muslim religious based non-profit organization that formed on April 15th, 2000 to attend to the religious and cultural needs of the local Muslim and Bosniak community of greater Grand Rapids. From its inception, the community was led by Imam Makić. On July 27th, 2005 the community purchased 3.2 acres of land in the township of Kentwood, at 3425 East Paris Ave. SE. The ICC Behar building was architecturally designed by the well-known Grand Rapids-based Architect, Ken Dixon, together with Keith Carey of Design Plus. The construction of the center began on October 13th, 2007, and was directed by Mirsad Bakrać, who was the building and project manager. Many other local Bosniaks and members of the community volunteered countless hours of work, resources, and emotions to build the masjid. The Certificate of Occupancy for the building was obtained on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011. For the local Bosniak community, who were expelled from their homes during the genocide in Bosnia into the uncertainty of refugee life, this visual representation of their existence brought a feeling of safety, comfort, and joy. With that, Grand Rapids became a new home for Bosniaks who were exiled from their homeland due to the aggression and genocide they faced in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In August of 2022, the Behar Minaret Tower was added to the center, which serves a historical and cultural significance to the local Bosniak community. The minaret consists of two galleries, called sherefas, the first sherefa is known as akşamli sherefa. This is the first minaret with akşamli sherefa in the USA. The minaret tower was built from 3 different types of ground stone, with the addition of white cement. The tower has 63 steps, which symbolize the 63 years of life of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, lived. Safet Tabaković was the chief architect who designed the Behar Minaret. The Behar Minaret Tower is open for visitation by appointment. E-mail us at: behar.dzemat@hotmail.com ICC Behar will continue to serve its community and grow alongside the Bosniak-Americans of Grand Rapids, Michigan and the United Sates of America.