November 05, 2001
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 – THE Muslim Story and A strategy for Coping – Part Two
Section: WRITINGS | 169 reads
MOSQUE PREMISES
Mosques are an index to the Muslim community. They are also the visible face of Islam. As a result, they should be kept in better condition than Muslim homes and offices.
Muslims must not forget that among all the wonderful things Allah gave to the Muslims, one of the greatest perhaps is the gift of cleanliness.
A Muslim’s whole life is firmly rooted in the Qur’anic concept of cleanliness called Taharah.
Muslims routinely wash themselves after they answer the calls of nature.
They routinely wash their hands and brush their teeth and rinse their mouths for salah – prayers.
They keep their houses and places of worship clean for prayers.
The Qur’an tells us that Allah loves those who are concerned about cleanliness.
It is important that mosques and their premises also adhere to the same strict principles of cleanliness. They need to be sparkling, neatly organized and well maintained at all times.
It is all the more important because Muslims take off their shoes for prayers; and they make Wudu – ablution – on the premises.
Therefore, the Muslim communities must prepare their mosque premises in advance for the Open House.
They must make sure that the premises look visually pleasing and attractive.
They must deodorize the place to eliminate odours caused by food, socks, shoes and such.
They must then lay out chairs and tables for guests and speakers in a manner that maximizes convenience, flexibility, access, attractiveness and personal interaction.
It is always a good idea to have a nice bouquet of flowers on the stage.
It is also important to make sure that the microphones and other electronic equipment and devices are set up, tested and ready to go well before the actual event is scheduled to begin. There should be no tinkering with electronic gadgetry during the function.
It is also important to provide light self-serve refreshments. Americans love American food, which is really a euphemism for Italian, Mexican, Chinese and every other kind of food, provided it is not heavily spiced.
So, beyond chips and dips, Sambosas are a good idea. Baklava will fly while Gulab Jaman may not. Vegetables and fruits, beside being pleasing to the eye, are both healthy and popular.
FOLLOW UP
It is important that you have clear follow up strategy to keep in touch with those who attended your Open House. The following ideas may help:
1. Have quality literature available for free distribution.
2. Encourage the non-Muslim guests to look at the literature and help themselves.
3. Train selected Muslims to mix with non-Muslim guests and answer their questions or entertain their comments.
4. Provide names and telephone numbers for your non-Muslim guests to call in case they wanted to follow up with questions or comments.
5. Invite your non-Muslim guests for a more leisurely follow up visit to the Mosque at their convenience.
6. Inform them about special occasions such as Eid and Ramadan and encourage them to visit the mosque during those occasions.
7. Encourage your non-Muslim guests to call with their questions and comments.
8. Inform your non-Muslim guests about the next scheduled Open House.
9. Ask them to encourage their friends and acquaintances to attend the next Open House.
10. Ask your non-Muslim guests for ideas and suggestions on how to reach other non-Muslims in the community.
11. Hold meeting of the Open House committee to discuss the outcome of your Open House: Evaluation Session.
12. Carefully and systematically analyse the Open House and decide on future changes and modifications if any.
13. Brief the Muslim community in the Jumu’ah Khutbah, or after Jumu’ah prayers, on the last Open House.
14. If there were to be any conversions to Islam, present the new Muslims to the community just before or after Jumu’ah prayers.
15. Get set for the next Open House.
16. Get in touch with your neighboring Muslim communities and encourage them to embark on a similar Open House project. Share with them your experiences.
17. Once the neighboring communities agree to have their own Open House, provide them whatever help and ideas you can.
Next Article: Conferences and Speakers: A Partial Primer
Previous Article: SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 – THE Muslim Story and A strategy for Coping – Part One
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