November 23, 2001
Presenting Islam to Non-Muslims – The Role of the Masjid
Section: WRITINGS | 596 reads
November 23, 2001
Section: WRITINGS | 596 reads
If it is done systematically and following the basic Islamic principles of honesty, integrity and respect for self and others, an Open House would serve a number of purposes for both Muslims and non-Muslims in a community.
It would:
Provide an opportunity for Muslims to meet their non-Muslim neighbors and get to know them.
Boost the confidence of the Muslims through positive interaction with non-Muslims in the neighborhood.
Give Muslims a better and clearer understanding of the larger community in which they live and operate.
Make conditions better for Muslims in and around the mosque as well as at broader levels in society.
Help reduce prejudice, suspicion, hostility, hate, racism and xenophobia against Muslims among non-Muslims.
Contribute to the safety and security of mosques and Muslims.
Generate goodwill for Muslims and Islam on a wider basis.
Introduce non-Muslims to Islam and its teachings.
Provide an opportunity to non-Muslims to get to know and evaluate the teachings of Islam firsthand.
Help Muslims to discharge their fundamental obligation of reaching out to their non-Muslim neighbors with Qur’an and with hadith, the twin foundations of the Din of Islam.
Therefore, an Open House needs to be organized in every single mosque throughout the United States and Canada.
And elsewhere in the Americas. Without exception.
In all or more of the mosques in North America.
And in the United Kingdom.
And throughout Europe.
And in the rest of the world.
This much the Muslims owe to their non-Muslim neighbors and friends. In fact, they owe it to the societies that are their hosts in North America – and Europe – and to the place that they now call their home.
Temporary or permanent, but a home nonetheless. As permanent as any home would ever get on this earth. And in this life.
The Muslims owe this to their own children and families. And they owe it to themselves.
And they owe it to that most wonderful man. That most gentle, noble, compassionate, caring and sharing of humans.
That timeless leader, teacher and guide to humanity – Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. God’s messenger of mercy and love to humanity and to the world.
And, above all, the Muslims owe it to God Almighty Himself.
To Allah, the one and only maker and master of the worlds, the true and only God of all, on whose boundless compassion and mercy every part of creation has claim:
Whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
Whether human or nonhuman.
Whether living or nonliving.
The fact is that everyone in this world owes it to Allah to try and make this world a better place for all.
But more so the Muslims. The Muslims owe it more than anyone else. As a result, the Muslims must be aware of this responsibility more than anyone else.
And they must do more to fulfill this responsibility – the responsibility to make this world a better place, a more peaceful place, a more honest and truthful place, and a more just and a fairer and kinder place.
For all of Allah’s creation.
The mosque Open House program is a link in this chain, a step, and a very important one, in this direction.
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