Area mosques invite non-Muslims to attend open houses

Several suburban mosques, including ones in Naperville, Wheaton, Des Plaines and Libertyville, are planning open houses Sunday for anyone curious to learn more about Islam.

"It gives individuals who may not know a Muslim or have never been inside a mosque a chance to become familiar with what goes on," said Tabassum Haleem, executive director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

Some of the mosques, or worship centers, have hosted open houses in the past, but this is the first year the council has helped coordinate Open Mosque Day, a larger, more unified effort to invite non-Muslims into mosques.

"I have often heard that neighbors and anyone who is interested in visiting a mosque, they wait for an invitation. They don't feel comfortable picking up the phone and asking the mosque for a visit," Haleem said. "Anyone who ever wanted to ask questions, just mingle with Muslims that come to the mosque, this is a great opportunity."

The open houses are scheduled at three different times:

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Islamic Center of Naperville, 2844 W. Ogden Ave.

• 3 to 6 p.m. at Islamic Center of Wheaton, 900 E. Geneva Road; and Islamic Foundation North, 1751 S. O'Plaine Road in Libertyville.

• 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Islamic Center of Des Plaines, 480 Potter Road.

Other open houses are being held in Northbrook, Morton Grove and Chicago. Guests are welcome to stop in anytime during the open house hours.

Haleem said attendees can expect to be greeted by volunteers who will offer short tours of the mosques, which vary in size and grandeur.

"Some are larger and may have separate, beautiful prayer areas. The architecture may be unique," she said.

Others may have schools attached, or other meeting areas that will be included on the tours.

Short presentations and Q&A sessions will take place at all the mosques, to give visitors a chance to learn more Islam, mosques and Muslims. Afternoon prayers may take place during some of the open houses and guests are welcome to observe.

"It will be very helpful, I think, in increasing mutual understanding ... especially given the political climate where there is so much misunderstanding, so much fear," Haleem said. "This would be a great time to work past those fears."