Local mosque opens its doors to neighbors for better understanding
On Saturday, April 29, the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs invited their neighbors to learn more about Islam and Muslims. Heavy rain came before the event started so organizers thought attendance might be less. But a huge turnout came to meet their Muslim neighbors and learn about Islam.
The event, which ran from 2 to 5:30 p.m., welcomed many members of the non-Muslim community and neighbors with their family to the mosque, who came to see, explore and even have a great time. The event was marked with a lineup of attendees which included members of churches, temples and synagogue, as well as several local and state politicians. The whole purpose of the Open Mosque Day is to introduce ourselves and our community, our religion, our culture to other brothers and sisters from different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds.
The Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs is a totally nonprofit organization that provides religious services, programs for the youth and adults, charitable donations, and educational programs with an emphasis on promoting communal harmony through social, educational and relief activities.
Guests were asked to remove their shoes and taking a seat inside the mosque prayer room only. Several female guests enjoyed getting beautiful designs of henna on their hands very popular feature of the event. Many of the female guests had an opportunity to try on the hijab (the Islamic head covering scarf). Several guests were walking around with their names written in Arabic on a sheet of paper which they got in calligraphy booth.
Nabeela Syed, a talented student of the local school, was the master of ceremonies for the event. At the beginning she highlighted details of the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs and the purpose of the gathering. Two little children, Sufiya Shazia Khan and Kamran Javid, started the evening with recitation of Qur'an with English translation. The evening proceeded with a welcome and thank you from Zille Khan. Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, director of the Gain Peace project, was the main speaker of the day. He explains in his presentation about the practices of a Muslim based on the five pillars of Islam: belief in one God, prayer, charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslim people always take care of their neighbor needs. After Dr. Sabeel's speech as completed, a panelist offered to answer any questions about Islam. The panel included Imam Shaikh Chahin, Dr. Sabeel Ahmed and Lady Scholar Samira Chaker. People asked questions about the sharia law, role of the Imam and wearing the hijab in the question-and-answer session.
Abdul Javid, mosque interfaith and outreach director, said, "Our young youths and great volunteers are behind the success. We will continuously making good relations and understanding with our neighbors." A senior member mosque Hamid Ali Khan said, "Today we have huge turnout even in the heavy rain. This Open Day offers to neighbors a better understanding of Islam and dispels negative perceptions of the religion and Muslims. We will do more open houses in this mosque."