Cordial Interfaith Dialogue at the Islamic Society of Greater Milford
By Tahir Ali
Hopkinton, MA: It started as a rainy Sunday morning, but around mid-afternoon the sun came out to dry and warm up the weather in sync with the interfaith event getting ready to take place at the ISGM. The relatively new Center ISGM/Masjid Al-Ikhlaas, was an old church in Hopkinton and was bought last year.
It looks just like yesterday when ISGM Board members: Furquan Syed and Nawaz Karim (President ISGM) and their team (Faisal, Faraz, Zakir, Mukarram, and Mansoor Hussain - just to name a few) were all busy trying to raise funds to buy this old church. In one instant, they alone raised well over three hundred thousand dollars while hosting cricket stars Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan. One of the photos shows Furquan Syed and I getting ready to auction the signed bats as Babar and Rizwan look on.
As the rain-laden clouds gave way to a clear sky, guests started to pour into the Islamic Center. Each guest was received with a heartfelt warm welcome, and even assisted in parking. There were over 20 tables and, on each table, there were Rabbis, Minister, Pastors, Reverends, and other members of faith, for example seated at Table #5 were: Rabbi Micner Mimi of Temple Beth Torah, Holliston; Father Carl of Fatima Shrine, Holliston; Margaret Cardello of St Michaels Church, Holliston; Maureen Cohen, Superintendent Mendon-Upton School; Rev Bonnie of First Congregational Church; and Ferhet Dikibiyik ISGM Board member. On another table there were members of the Worcester County Catholic Charities, Minister MacRae and other members from Congregational Church in Milford, including also the Police Chief of Milford. There were representatives from different Islamic Centers in the area: WIC, ISGW, Masumeen Center, including CAIR of Massachusetts. In short, everyone and their brother were invited.
The honored guests' speakers included Congressman Jim McGovern, Dr Mohammad Lazzouni (Imam ICB)
and Shahidul Mannan (Hopkinton Select Board) - shown in picture in that order.
The event started on time with a recitation from the holy Qur’an by Haseeb. Sister Ayah, translated the verses in English. Nawaz Karim, greeted the audience of approximately over 200 and shared the agenda of the day. In his welcome address, Nawaz shared the fact that Muslims were the fastest growing; "today there are various interfaith members from different towns here and the goal is to reach out to the entire community and build relations with you all." Nawaz was apparently very happy at the turnout of members of the Abrahamic faith and wanted to share the history of ISGM. He invited Furquan to "take us all through the historical journey."
Furquan did just that. He first thanked his core team and the youth and volunteers who worked tirelessly to set up the hall and get the food. He said, "I am still learning. We wanted to do something hybrid, hence this interfaith gathering." With the help of Board member Mansoor running the slide show, Furquan embarked on the ISGM journey. "It was a church - A house of God - going to a real estate developer - we bought it thanks to the towns' overwhelming support - now it's still a house of God." The CC Church was bought in October 2023, and a month later, "we moved into the new premises." The next slide was labeled: 'Present' and Furquan went over the current activities, which not only showed daily spiritual activities but also listed the future planned community services: Food drive, blood drive, financial support for the needy and to have a free medical clinic.
The keynote speech came from Dr Mohammad Lazzouni, who delved into the past and realized how he had been working with the founders of Al-Hamra Academy. He recalled the many friends that he had made, students, then their children - over the course, "that have changed my life." He still felt that he could do more, "where do we go from here - we can make the future better." He quoted the Fourth Caliph of Islam, Ali bin Talib, to support his argument: “Do not raise your children the way [your] parents raised you, they were born for a different time.”
Representative Jim McGovern feels right at home when it comes to these kinds of gatherings. He honestly believes as he told his audience, "people of different faiths gathered here to do good. No matter what your traditions are … It has to be more than prayers," he added at length. "I have learned so much from my Muslim friends. We have love, respect, justice, human rights so much in common. Seeing this building gives me hope, we need this." The Congressman added: I don't want people in this country to go hungry - nobody should go hungry.
Shahidul Mannan, Select Board Member, Hopkinton, likened these gatherings to building bridges, to reach out to different faiths, in order to foster trust and deeper understanding among each other. He believed that like one big family, one should respect each other and engage in honest and open dialogue. He recalled how he adapted to the Western way of life, but at the same time not forget his other BD identity as well.
Perhaps one of the mesmerizing moments was the demo of the Adhan (call to prayer) by Haseeb and its translation by Ayah.
Furquan Syed opened the floor for a Q & A session for anyone wishing to add or share their views. Many guests availed of this generous offer and conveyed their thanks and gratitude. I, on behalf of ISGW and WIC, thanked the ISGM team for putting together such a great event. I couldn't resist adding that since there is the Police Chief present, this is a good time as any to have your outstanding speeding tickets fixed.
In closing, Nawaz Karim called ISGM a Mosque of sincerity. He emphasized the importance of giving Muslim students time off for Friday prayers in school. "Are we done, yet? No, because we have to give back. You will see more of us as we become part of the fabric of this society."
There was a lot of food and goody bags for the guests to go with. Everyone felt that it was certainly a great event, a step in the right direction.
