In the privacy of his home Monday morning, Ismael Abdul Malik performed a traditional blessing for his newborn daughter, saying a prayer for her from the Koran. The call to prayer, spoken into each ear of the infant, welcomed her into an Islamic community that spans the world. Missing from the peaceful Nevada County setting was a mosque and any Islamic friends to witness the spiritual sharing moment similar to Christian baptism.

Malik, known in Grass Valley by his birthname Miles Shelton, fifth-generation Californian, and his family have had few opportunities to share their faith with other Muslims in Nevada County since moving here four years ago. The closest mosque, in Yuba City , was burned down by an arsonist in 1994.

But even as an island of his faith in Nevada County, Malik maintains his traditional practices of Islam with confidence. The proprietor of the Middle-Eastern antique store the Rubayiat in downtown Grass Valley, Malik wears a soft cap and beard in accordance with Islamic tradition. Malik eases into a conversation with those entering his store that is as steeped in history as the merchandise displayed. In his boisterous chatter, he unfailingly mentions that he is Islamic.

"We may be without a mosque, but our hearts are full, and when we have a mosque it is full, " Malik said. In the nation dominated by Christians, Islamic families, isolated from fellow believers are challenged to not compromise their religion. In particular Malik worries about his three children. Although Islam has grown to become the third largest religion in the country, behind Christianity and Judaism, some of its values do not fit in with mainstream American culture. For example, alcohol consumption is absolutely forbidden in Islam.

Without a framework of communal support to counterbalance these societal pressures, young people may never learn what is great about our heritage and spirituality," said Dr. Mahmoud Sarram, founder of the American Muslim Foundation in Tacoma Washington.

Home schooling is popular among Islamic families but Maliks’ approach allows his children a dose of reality. If you raise a flower in a hothouse, it will grow to be a beautiful flower. But when you take it out and expose it to cold it wilts", Malik said.

Malik’s five-year-old son started kindergarten last fall. His oldest daughter four, will being in two years. In addition to their public education, the children will learn prayers and other religious teachings at home.

Malik says, "he will reconsider public education when his children enter adolescence," noting that sexual frankness of American culture is an influence disapproved of in Islam.

Although he is physically removed from the influences of his religion, Malik said he does not feel isolated.

The practices of the faith—five daily prayers while facing Mecca—the most religiously significant location in Islam; fasting during Ramadan; donating part of one’s income to the needy; a pilgrimage to Mecca; and devout faith—can be done anywhere.

"The sense of community, which an Islamic saint said is the definition of religion, is perceived through a shared faith, not necessarily through attending a church or mosque."

"Everybody needs community. We believe we are united with Muslims all around the world." Malik said.

Every year, Malik travels to London, where he meets with his religious teacher Shaykh Muhammad Nazim who live sin Cyprus, and whose deputy, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Muslims branch out into communities where no other people of Islamic faith live is not unusual. Nor is it considered a risk to shake the person’s faith," Malik said.

"We believe that a believing person, if they go out among others, can influence people and be a blessing to those communities," Malik said.

To that end, with the permission of his religious leader, Malik will lead a traditional Islamic religious service called Sufi Dhikr later this spring. His teachings will not be in a mosque, of course. A Nevada-City church will be the site of the Islamic proceedings.