Huge turnout on Open Mosque Day at Muslim Society Inc. in Glendale Heights
On Saturday, April 22, the Muslim Society Inc. (MSI Masjid) in Glendale Heights invited their neighbors to learn more about Islam and Muslims.
The open house was arranged by the Muslim Society Inc., 1785 Bloomingdale Road. The mosque was built in Glendale Heights around 25 years ago. MSI is a nonprofit organization that provides religious services.
Members of mosque greeted everyone in the hall along with other volunteers. About 150 guests from various faiths attended this special event to meet their Muslim neighbors, obtain a tour of the mosque, learn about Islam and enjoy a delicious meal. Every attendee had the opportunity to tour a mosque, hear a brief introduction to Islam, "Meet Imam and Muslim." Attendees also observed a Muslim prayer service at the end.
The event was organized with the help of a group called Gain Peace. Guests were given the opportunity to obtain free Islamic literature which was provided by Gain Peace, which is the outreach department of the Islamic Circle of North America.
The event started with a lunch, which was very well organized, prestigious and enjoyed by the attendees. Most of the food was Middle Eastern and Indian Pakistani.
Islamic Center President Mohsin Bhally said during an interview with Muslim Abroad, "Muslims are obliged to share their faith of peace with everyone"
Master of ceremonies was Mr. Asim and the program begins with Tilawat E Quran by Imam Hafiz Tahir Dawood and its translation by Hafiz Tahir Dawood also. Welcome and opening remarks were conducted by Mohsin Bhally. He said, "Open Mosque is all about understanding neighbors and make new friends. The main idea behind Islam is share love and peace. Our religion Islam teaches that the sanctity of life must be honored, respected and preserved.
The main speaker Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, director of the Gain Peace outreach program, gave an overview of the religion of Islam, covering such topics as woman's rights in Islam, Jihad, Sharia law, etc. Dr. Sabeel Ahmed said that Muslims believe that men and women are born with original goodness, not original sin. Ahmed also spoke about the message of Prophets Jesus and Moses, being no different than that of Prophet Muhammad's in which the Creator alone is worshiped, rather than His creation. "The Muslim worship the Creator, not His creation," he reiterated. "What you see in the media may be very different than what Islam is."
Visitors asked questions about the sharia law, role of Imam and wearing the hijab in the Question & Answer session.
Glendale Heights Village President Linda Jackson, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Glendale Heights Police Chief Douglas Flint also addressed participants at the event.