Open Mosque Day Brings
Faith Groups Together
By Shakeel Syed
Glimpses of the get-together
of interfaith groups at various mosques |
The Islamic Shura Council
of Southern California organized an Open Mosque Day on Sunday,
August 21. Over twenty-five mosques of greater Southern
California, including some mosques in San Diego, opened
their doors to people of all faith groups. The visitors
were given introductory presentation on Islam followed by
mosque tours, viewing of cultural artifacts, a sumptuous
meal and a vibrant Q&A session.
The Open Mosque Day event was warmly received by hundreds
of visitors at each mosque. The purpose of this event was
to promote “better understanding” between people
of all faiths and to “foster positive relationships
and mutual respect” toward each other.
Latino Muslims on the Open Mosque
Day |
The Chairman of the
Islamic Shura Council, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, underscored
the importance of such an event in today’s charged
political climate. Hosting hundreds of neighbors at the
Islamic Society of Orange County where he also serves as
its Director, he said, “Muslims are obliged to share
their faith of peace with everyone”.
While most mosques received neighbors, some mosques were
overwhelmed with large groups of students from college campuses
and universities. One such student, Ms. Donna Hicks of USC
visiting Masjid Omar Ibn Khattab, joyfully confessed after
trying a veil on her, that she respects Muslim women for
their ‘statement of pride.’
Many visitors of Christian faith were fascinated in their
discovery of Islam and its intimate relationship with their
faith. Henry Gibbens, a devout follower of Jesus, was fascinated
on knowing the similarities between his faith and the faith
of the Executive Director of Shura Council, Shakeel Syed.
They spent over one hour scribbling notes back and forth
because Mr. Gibbens is impaired of hearing and speech abilities!
Leslie Robison of Thousand Oaks came on behalf of her church,
Holy Trinity Lutheran in Thousand Oaks. “I think peace
is important, and working with other cultures and learning,”
she said during the reception after the Imam’s talk.
“We’re all one people.”
Idrees Triana, President, Masjid
Hawthorne with Henry Gibbons |
Ammar Kahf of the Islamic
Center of Hawthorne said that the Open Mosque Day is “more
about awareness and education and not about propagation
or preaching. Our main objective is to bring awareness to
the religion of Islam and the practices of American Muslims,
and to get to know each other on a personal level.”
The Rev. Ginny Wagener, executive director of the South
Coast Interfaith Council and an ordained evangelical minister
spoke at the Islamic Center of South Bay and said this is
“to show our basic religious values are the same,
even if our beliefs and worship styles are different.”
Recognizing the overwhelming success of the Open Mosque
Day, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California has
been requested by many interfaith community members to increase
the frequency of such good endeavors. Together, they say,
we can make a difference.
*Executive Director, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
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