At-Thohir Mosque in Los Angeles Becomes Centre of Worship and Harmony for Indonesian Diaspora
The At-Thohir Mosque in Los Angeles, United States, has become a symbol of harmony, outreach, and social care for the Indonesian diaspora. In addition to serving as a place of worship, the mosque has developed into a centre for social and cultural activities that reflect inclusive Islamic values.
The mosque was officially opened in March 2022, following a long process that began in 2015. The idea for its construction stemmed from the experiences of the family of national entrepreneur Garibaldi Thohir, who observed the limitations of worship facilities for the Indonesian Muslim community in Los Angeles, particularly for Friday prayers.
“Our family often holidays in Los Angeles. My father often complained about having to pray Friday prayers, and from there came the desire to provide a mosque for the Indonesian community here,” said Boy Thohir.
As a tribute to their late father, H. Mochamad Thohir, Boy and his family, through the Mochammad Thohir Foundation, subsequently realised the construction of the mosque. They acquired a historic building dating back to 1920 in downtown Los Angeles and renovated it into a representative mosque.
The At-Thohir Mosque spans approximately 650 square metres and has a capacity for up to 250 worshippers. Its facilities include a learning room to support educational and outreach activities for the community.
At the opening ceremony, Boy emphasised that the mosque is expected not only to be a place of worship but also a centre for social activities that provide broad benefits. “We hope this mosque will not only be a place of worship but also a centre for activities that bring peace and provide benefits to the wider community,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of the mosque’s role as a symbol of Islam that brings mercy to all. “We want the At-Thohir Mosque to be an example of how Islam is present as a mercy to the entire universe, while strengthening the unity of the Indonesian community abroad,” he added.
Since its establishment, the At-Thohir Mosque has actively organised various social and religious activities. In 2025, the mosque initiated the distribution of gift packages to local residents as a form of social care and to strengthen ties with people from diverse backgrounds.
President of the Indonesia Muslim Foundation At-Thohir Mosque, Adji Sudarmadji, said the activity aims to build togetherness. “The purpose of this activity is to foster relations with neighbours around the mosque and to bring values of togetherness during the holy month of Ramadan,” he stated.
Entering Ramadan 1447 Hijriah in 2026, the At-Thohir Mosque is once again presenting religious programmes such as i’tikaf during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, with special arrangements to ensure the comfort of worshippers.
In addition, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H will be held on 20 March 2026 in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Los Angeles, the Indonesia Muslim Foundation, and the mosque’s management. The event carries the theme “The Meaning of Fitra Bringing Silaturahmi”.
STRENGTHENING INTER-COMMUNITY RELATIONS
In an official statement from the organising committee, the activity is expected to strengthen relations among Indonesian residents in Los Angeles. “We hope that this Eid al-Fitr momentum can strengthen the bonds of silaturahmi among the Indonesian community in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, while reinforcing the values of brotherhood amid diversity,” the organisers stated.
The presence of the At-Thohir Mosque has also received appreciation from the Indonesian government. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the United States described the mosque as a pride for the Indonesian diaspora. “This mosque is our collective pride and complements the existence of mosques owned by Indonesian citizens in the United States, while serving as a means to strengthen brotherhood,” he said.
The At-Thohir Mosque now serves not only as a place of worship but also as a space for social interaction and a symbol of the Indonesian diaspora’s contribution to building an image of peaceful and inclusive Islam on the international stage.