By Forum Staff
On Friday, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, local elected officials, and faith and community leaders unveiled a street sign co-naming 127th Street and Liberty Avenue as “Masjid Al Abidin Way.”
Established in 1977 in Richmond Hill, Masjid Al Abidin was founded by Muslim immigrants from Guyana and the Caribbean as a spiritual home and hub for Islamic learning, worship, and cultural preservation. For nearly five decades, the religious institution has served Muslims of all ethnicities, languages, and walks of life in the community. Today, Masjid Al Abidin provides a space for daily prayers, celebrations during holidays like Ramadan and Eid, interfaith engagement, community outreach, and programs for youth, older adults, and families.
“For nearly five decades, Masjid Al Abidin has served as a spiritual home for Islamic worship, learning, and neighborhood support in our Southeast Queens community,” said Adams. “I’m proud to officially unveil a new street sign at the corner of 127th Street and Liberty Avenue in honor of the rich and enduring history of this institution of faith. The contributions of this religious center will be remembered and uplifted for generations to come. I thank Masjid Al Abidin President Aziz Madeen, Imam Shaykh Safraz Bacchus, Arsalan Mohammed, Mohamed Hack, Ashook Ramsarran, the late Mohamed Salim, and every community leader who helped make today’s street co-naming ceremony possible.”
Masjid Al Abidin is led by President Aziz Madeen and Imam Shaykh Safraz Bacchus, a faith leader who serves as a community partner with the NYPD’s 106th Precinct, a chaplain at two major healthcare facilities in Queens, and a member of Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s Clergy Advisory Council. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Imam Safraz Bacchus provided emotional and spiritual support to grieving families, and he facilitated food and meal distributions for older adults in the community. His humanitarian contributions include aid and relief efforts for underserved communities in Senegal, Gambia, and his native Guyana. In 2023, the New York State Assembly honored Imam Safraz Bacchus with the Lincoln-King Visionary Award for his commitment to service and community-building.
“Masjid Al Abidin is so much more than one of Queens’ most important religious institutions. It’s a spiritual and cultural home for thousands of our Muslim neighbors in need of guidance, support, food, community and more,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I’m honored to count President Madeen and Imam Bacchus as friends, and I’m proud of the integral role Masjid Al Abidin has played in the societal fabric of our borough for nearly 50 years. With this street co-naming, we celebrate the countless lives this institution has changed for the better.”
“The co-naming of 127th Street in honor of Masjid Al Abdin is a powerful symbol of recognition, inclusion, and pride,” said Vijah Ramjattan, executive director of the City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. “Masjid Al Abdin has long been a cornerstone of this community, and this honor reflects the values we hold dear in New York City — diversity, equity, and unity. At a time when visibility and representation matter more than ever, this celebration reminds us that every community belongs and deserves to feel seen and respected. Congratulations to the Masjid Al Abdin community on this well-deserved recognition.”
