Mosque No. 25

Mosque No. 25
Religion
AffiliationNation of Islam
Location
LocationNew Jersey, United States
Interactive map of Mosque No. 25

Mosque No. 25 is a former Nation of Islam (NOI) mosque in Newark, New Jersey, which was presided by James Russell McGregor (James 3X). It is now known as Masjid Muhhamad.

History

Located at 257 South Orange Avenue in Newark, the building was originally built for Victorian Theatre, a vaudeville theater. It was later known as Congress Theater.

In 1958, Temple No. 25 was the first Nation of Islam mosque to open in Newark, New Jersey. Scholar Michael Nash, states that Elijah Muhammad came to Newark to award a temple number in 1958, but the building was not purchased until a few years later. By 1963 the Newark News called the temple, now at 257 South Orange Avenue, "reputedly one of the fastest growing Muslim groups in the nation" and its leader was James 3X. Its membership had a reputation of being more active and loyal than NOI members in other larger municipalities.

Men involved in Malcolm X's assassination had ties with the mosque, including the 3 men convicted of his murder and two additional accomplices that were not charged. On September 7, 1973, the mosque was the location of the funeral for James Russell McGregor (James Shabazz). About a thousand people were in attendance.

References

  1. 1 2 The Price & Lee Company (1964). Newark City Directory 1964-65.
  2. 1 2 "Orange Told No Muslim Riot". The Star Ledger. Aug 19, 1964.
  3. 1 2 "Muslim Unrest Alerts NJ Cops". The Star Ledger. Feb 24, 1965.
  4. ↑ "Masjid Muhammad-Newark |mosque| 253-255 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ, USA". Masjid Muhammad-Newark. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
  5. ↑ Holbrook's Newark City Directory. Price & Lee Company. 1914.
  6. ↑ "Prince of Peace to Open at the Congress". The Star Ledger. Nov 18, 1951. p. 42.
  7. 1 2 3 Curtis, Edward E. (2010). Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History. Infobase. p. 428. ISBN 9780816075751.
  8. ↑ Nash, Michael (2008). Islam among urban blacks: muslims in Newark, New Jersey, a social history. Lanham: University Press of America. ISBN 978-0-7618-3866-1.
  9. ↑ Eldridge, Douglas (May 9, 1963). "Human Rights Group to Hear Newark's Muslim Leader". p. 33.
  10. ↑ Eldrige, Douglas. "Leader Says Area Muslims Won't Follow Malcolm X". Newark Evening News. p. 28.
  11. 1 2 Novellino, Tex (September 8, 1973). "A Private Service: Muslims Praise, Bury, Their Slain Minister". The Star Ledger. p. 3.

40°44′22″N 74°11′39″W / 40.739311°N 74.194266°W / 40.739311; -74.194266