I never realized how quaint of a neighborhood Jamaica is. Located in the heart of Queens, Jamaica truly exhibits the idea of New York as a “melting pot”. Here, South Asians, African Americans, East Asians, West Indians, Hispanics and European Americans can all be seen mingling in one central area: Hillside Avenue.
A short walk down this neighborhood is almost like touring the globe. On the corner of 168th Street, South Asian women proudly wear traditional garb (the selwar-kameez) or religious wear (the burqa) and gossip about the latest happenings in the Desi community. Nearby, Hispanic day laborers banter away in rapid Spanish as they wait for the next Manhattan-bound bus. Occasionally, a visitor can hear the unique twang that Caribbean English possesses when Guyanese and Trinitarian members of the community are talking.
Jamaica residents come from all walks of life, and success crosses all color barriers. Asians, Latinos, blacks, and whites alike own businesses throughout the area. College students of all colors can be seen taking the Q46 up to St. John’s University. What fascinates me most about Jamaica is the mosque. Masjid al-Mamoor, better known as the Jamaica Muslim Center, is unlike any mosque I have ever came across. For starters, the mosque has separate accommodations for women, which is uncommon among most mosques in New York City. Evening prayers usually have congregations of 100 people, greater than that of most other mosques. Even the imam is different. Imam Shamsi Ali is the most progressive and moderate imam I have met. Unlike most imams, this spiritual leader is not camera shy and is open to interviews with the media.