Los Angeles wildfires destroy beloved mosque, devastate community

The raging wildfires in Los Angeles have reduced Masjid Al-Taqwa, a cherished place of worship and community center, to ashes.

The blaze, fueled by dry, hot desert winds known as “devil winds,” consumed the mosque on Tuesday night, leaving no trace of its decades-long presence.

Junaid Aasi, the mosque’s imam, described the devastation: “It is completely gone. There is nothing standing. No pillars. No doors.” The mosque, which opened in the late 1970s, served as a spiritual haven for up to 200 worshippers on busy days and was known for its welcoming atmosphere.

Members fondly recalled Ramadan gatherings and the mosque’s role as a hub for the community. “It was like a big family,” Aasi said. Even when the mosque was closed, worshippers could access it with a key from a nearby halal restaurant.

Efforts to rebuild the mosque are already underway, but no timeline has been set. Tragically, the Eaton Fire, responsible for the mosque’s destruction, has also displaced several of its regular attendees, with at least 10 members losing their homes.

The Eaton Fire, along with the Pacific Palisades blaze, has scorched approximately 5,700 hectares, destroyed more than 10,000 structures, and claimed at least seven lives.

Over 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate in what could become the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history.