Des Plaines mosque hold open house to share their faith
On Saturday, May 06, 2017 the Des Plaines Muslim Community Center Open Mosque Day, More than two hundred of non-Muslims and Muslims attended the center to observe religious practices and ask questions about the faith and its perception. The Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines' is a largest only Muslim community center in the city of Des Plaines. The Program was organized by ICCD Interfaith department and partnership with Gain Peace
The event that started at 2:45 pm and concluded at 5:30 pm. Visitors were deeply heartily welcome and offer to go sent to Community Hall which was located at the basement of the Mosque. Inside Community hall, several tables were set up to teach visitors the basic ideologies of Islam and its associated culture, including calligraphy, the hijab, henna tattoos, and Islamic foods from different countries and cultures.
The Open mosque day includes a presentation on the fundamentals of Islam, as well as a tour of the center, time for socializing and activities.
At the Mosque, Muslims and non-Muslims sat together to have Nice Pakistani, Indian and Middle Eastern Food. Children were playing games, Face painting and getting candy and chocolate, women and girls tried on headscarves, and every guest took home free paperback copies of the Quran and other Islamic literature.
President ICCD Fazal Mahmood said during an interview with Local media "Today event is very important to fostering direct and open communication between individuals, groups, opening opportunities for dialogue between faith leaders and their communities, and dispelling any kind of misinformation on Islam and Muslim community by explaining the true teachings of the faith. Neighbors getting information about Islam from electronic Media and paper media mostly time is incorrect".
The main purpose is for open house to share the true teaching of Islam, which stand for peace and justice, and do away with the misconception. Said by Dr. Sabeel Ahmed.
The main program started in a main prayer room where everyone asked to remove their shoes and taking a seat inside the mosque prayer room.
"We need to get to know our neighbors each other, to sit down with each other and discuss common issue to Build Bridges," said by Mumtaz Khan a senior Member of ICCD.
Mr. Umair Qadeer was the Master for the event at the beginning he highlighted a short detail of the Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines' and purpose of the gathering. Mr. Faraz Hashmi and Ms. Simrah Kabir started evening with recitation of the Qur'an with English translation. The evening proceeded with a welcome and thank-you from President ICCD Fazal Mahmood.
Mufti Minhajuddin Ahmed from Darussalam Foundation Who was the main Speaker of the day, gave an overview of the religion of Islam, covering such topics as Woman's Rights in Islam, Ramadan, Donations, Sharia Law, etc. after Speech ended Question and answer session started. Panelist which includes Ms. Tahera Ahmed, Mr. Azam Nizamuddin and Dr. Sabeel Ahmed. They answer all the Question from the audience.
The program was very well organized, prestigious and enjoyed by the attendees and will be remembered. Whole interfaith & outreach team was behind the successes. A member of the mosque refused to mention her name said "our team went door to door in the neighborhood to invite our neighbors and they greet us with open arms.
Many of the visitors gave remarks to President Mahmood "The event was wonderful! Thank you so much for your hospitality. Please give us call when you have next event."