Columbia is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With an estimated population of 100,733 in 2008, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the location of the University of Missouri. The college town is politically liberal and is known by the nicknames “The Athens of Missouri,” “College TownUSA,” and “CoMO.” Over half of Columbians possess a bachelor’s degree and over a quarter hold graduate degrees, making it the thirteenth most highly educated municipality in the United States. The city has many outlets, stores, and shops that provide Muslim and Middle Eastern merchandize that includes Halal meat, Islamic Clothing, Groceries, Books, Clothing, Indian jewelry, wedding and marriage dresses.
Islamic stores and businesses includes ethnic products from countries such as India, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Persian, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi-Arabia, Dubai, UAE, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Yemen, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and many other countries.
Islamic businesses in Columbia and surrounding areas of Missouri include some of the following stores.
- Islamic Center of Central Missouri
- Islamic School of Columbia Missouri
- Islamic School of Columbia Missouri