LIFESTYLE
District's Oldest Mosque Pushes for New Community Building
By Lauren Poteat
WI Contributing Writer
Ahead of the anniversary of the
Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Islamic
leaders and various community
members gathered Saturday for a
forum to promote awareness and
unity during an open house visit
at the historic Masjid Muham-
mad, D.C.'s oldest mosque.
"We are having this open
house for two reasons: To allow
those who have never been in a
mosque before an opportunity
to see what it's all about while
coming together and praying
and to also commemorate those
that died in 9/11," said Ibrahim
Mumin, Masjid Muhammad's
communications director.
"It's disheartening to hear
sometimes some of things and
questions that come up concern-
ing American Muslims such as
patriotism and community, but
with this event we just want to
34 SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2017
show that we are all here to help
ourselves and others and to better
bridge the gap between different
communities," Mumin said.
During the event, attendees
heard and asked questions re-
garding topics including broad-
er community based events and
religious holiday observances for
District school teachers.
Panelists included Ward 5
ANC members, school district
officials and representatives from
the office of D.C. Council mem-
ber Kenyan McDuffie.
"I'm grateful for community
building efforts of the Masjid
Muhammad Mosque because
it engages the community and
gives our residents a deeper un-
derstanding of Islam," McDuffie
said. "I am proud that the oldest
mosque in the District of Colum-
bia is located in Ward 5 and I am
hopeful that efforts like this open
house continue building a stron-
ger community rooted in mutual
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
5 Various community leaders gather Sept. 9 at Masjid Muhammad in Northwest, the city's oldest mosque, for an open
house event. /Courtesy of Masjid Muhammad
understanding and respect."
The panel also included 5th
gratitude for being allowed to
District MPD Cmdr. William
Fitzgerald, who expressed his To close out the event before
attendees enjoyed refreshments,
speak at the Saturday event. the mosque's Imam (head offi-
"These people are great," Fitz- ciant), Talib Shareef, a retired
gerald said. "When was asked to member of the United States
attend, I quickly said yes, because Air Force, thanked everyone for
these are really good people who coming with a special call to uni-
I am happy to interact with daily ty.
in the community." "Today's event served as a very
Following the forum, infor- important discussion," Shareef
mation was also given regarding said. "We really wanted this event
some of Masjid Muhammad's today to serve as a community
weekly community events in- building event and show people
cluding free Arabic classes, in what can be accomplished when
depth courses on the Quran, we all work together and bring
Kibar-the mosque's senior nu- about more national unity post-
trition program and their Boy 9/11."
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