Sacred
Roots

About Sacred Roots

Sacred Roots is a Muslim community in Pilsen, on the Lower West Side of Chicago. It was founded in 2020.

Vision:

To be a home for Muslims and the spiritually curious

Mission:

Sacred Roots works to nourish a community of Muslims rooted in the teachings of the Prophet (ṣ) and his Family (ʿa). We connect people of various backgrounds and experiences and together explore the spiritual and intellectual heritage of Islam through acts of devotion, study, and service.

Our Story

As invested members of the Muslim and American communities, we seek to be a part of the broader effort to preserve the legacy and heritage of the Islamic tradition. Over many years, we have been participants and observers of numerous movements, institutions, and mosques that have created the bedrock of the Muslim experience in America. Our goal is to augment those existing efforts by creating a space for learning and spiritual growth in the heart of Chicago.

In addition to offering a conveniently located space, we seek to serve the needs of spiritual seekers in the community. Our aim is to navigate, explore, and render the Islamic tradition within the fabric of the culture of the city. This involves applying Prophetic principles to the spiritual, social, and cultural challenges that beset the American Muslim community. Our hope is to embody this enterprise through practice, first and foremost, followed by intellectual inquiry, and service.

An empty room with an exposed brick wall, pale wood flooring and a row of ceiling lights.
The space at 1758 W 21st Place. From the 2021 Year in Review, page 18.
The same kind of empty room before it was finished, with a bare concrete floor reflecting the overhead lights.
The space before it was finished. From the 2021 Year in Review, page 18.
Devotion
To foster an atmosphere that embodies commitment to Islamic conduct, etiquette, and decorum
A Spirit of Openness
To cultivate an environment that is open to all Muslims, people of other faith traditions, and people without affiliation with a faith tradition
Study
To preserve and navigate the Islamic tradition as lived by the Prophet and his Family
Community Engagement
To engage the needs of our local community
Diversity
To create a culture that fosters meaningful and lasting connections between individuals from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences

Meet our Community Scholar and Executive Director

A man standing and speaking beside a draped table under a wall-mounted screen, with an audience seated facing away from the camera.
From the 2025 Year in Review, page 6.

Shaykh Trenton Carl is a graduate of the Ahl al-Bayt Islamic Seminary, where he studied the core traditional Islamic curriculum. He works with several Muslim educational initiatives, is an editor of the Seminary's publication, al-Sidrah, and is a director of the Seminary's summer education program, L.I.F.E. (Living Islam Faithfully and Ethically).

He received a B.A. in Islamic World Studies from DePaul University. While at DePaul, he was active in several student organizations and served on the board of UMMA, DePaul's Muslim student organization. After graduating, he worked as a research and teaching assistant in the Islamic World Studies Program at DePaul University under Dr. Aminah McCloud. Trenton, originally from Houston, now resides in Chicago with his wife.

For any questions, comments, or concerns you can reach him at:

Board of Directors

  • Ahmed S.
  • Brad Rajek
  • Nour A.
  • Saif Kazim
  • Trenton Carl

Established in 2020, find our past years' work in the presentations below.

Read the annual reviews