After Boston Marathon Bombing, one Muslim woman remarked on her Facebook page ” I feel like crawling in the closet and not come out”. I am sure many of us has similar feelings or thoughts.
But despite this difficult to come out moment, Islamic Center of Rockland ( ICR ) continued its outreach efforts and invited a group of fellow Americans from Orangeburg library to visit the Mosque and observe last Friday’s Prayer.After listening to Sermons(Khutba-posted on our website) and observing prayer, there was a question answer session. Mr. Azeem Farooki is spearheading this program on behalf of Islamic Center, and received following heartening comments in two e-mails;
From:<rcls.org>
Date: April 22, 2013, 10:42:49 AM EDT
To: <farookiazeem
Subject: Thank you!
‘Hi Azeem!
The card I sent should arrive at the mosque in a few days, but I want to thank you and all the others that helped with Friday’s program. I’ve gotten numerous emails from the patrons who attended, saying what a wonderful program it was, how they enjoyed meeting everyone, and how much they learned.”
Second E-Mail
“On Apr 22, 2013, at 8:16 PM,
Dear Mr. Farooki,
I was a member of the group from the Orangeburg Library that attended your mosque on Friday. I wanted to thank you and the other members of the Islamic Center for your kindness and hospitality in hosting our group. It was just a wonderful experience to observe the prayer service, and the sermon was absolutely terrific. Then, you and your colleagues were so kind and patient in answering the many questions of the group. The gift of the books about the Qur’an was so very special.
Thank you again for a most rewarding afternoon,”
On April 25th, 2013, Rockland Community College & Islamic Center of Rockland are holding a program ” Promoting Muslim Understanding”, and below is its e-mail invitation;
Please join us
Thursday, April 25, 11 a.m.
Film: Persepolis
Technology Center, Room 8180 (Ellipse)
Admission: Free and open to the public
The film is a “poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution.” The viewing will be followed by an open dialogue with Azeem Farooki of the Islamic Center of Rockland. Refreshments will be served.
Please join us!
Sarah N. Levy
Interim Library Director
Rockland Community College Library
145 College Road
Suffern NY 10901
Islamic Center of Rockland not only holds interfaith meetings but also regularly invites a group of students from local schools to visit the Mosque and ask questions. ICR joins local church and Synagogue for distribution of Thanksgiving meals. This year it has started its own Soup Kitchen for poor on major holidays.
Although tragedies like Boston Bombing sets back years of efforts, but recoiling or crawling in is not the option.The purpose of this writing is that if all Islamic Centers and Mosques have similar programs, it will go a long way to counter onslaught of stereotyping and demonizing propaganda. Apart from cleaning our own house, energetic involvement in the sociopolitical activities is more important than ever to safeguard the future generations from this stereotyping and demonetization.
Two related Articles;
Link to “Today’s Friday Payer’s Sermons- Courageous & Right on Target”
http://www.thinkersforumusablog.org/archives/5568
Are We Failing Our Young Muslim Generation?
http://www.thinkersforumusablog.org/archives/5587