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Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau holds open house to increase awareness about IslamMonday, November 17, 2008
"Nobody can forgive your sins but God," Noor Wadi, 14, explained to visitors of the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau during a Sunday afternoon open house. Members of the mosque, 293 West End Blvd. near Harmony Street, opened their doors to "increase awareness of our Muslim community so there will be no misunderstandings," said Shafiq Malik, the mosque's amir, or administrator. He moved to Cape Girardeau in 1981 and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in accounting. Inside the mosque, visitors removed their shoes and women covered their heads before entering a room divided by a simple adjustable curtain, with men sitting on one side and women on the other. The few decorations are devoted to the Quran, the book that is to Muslims what the Bible is to Christians and the Torah is to Jews. The floor is covered with small prayer rugs. Two bookcases nestled in a corner hold books in Arabic and English devoted to explaining Islam to people of all ages. At the back of each room is a row of chairs for those unable to kneel in prayer. Behind the mosque, in a one-story building used as a community center, old and new members of the mosque mingled with visitors.
"We are the opposite of the stereotype," she said. "Every religion has its bad people. Most people are good." More than 60 visitors filled the community room, where information supplemented a buffet-style meal. Visitors tried such Middle Eastern cuisine such as the sesame-flavored chickpea spread, hummus, served with flat breads; spicy tandoori chicken; and baklava -- delicate and sweetened phyllo dough layers stuffed with chopped nuts. Syrian-born Sam Alsmadi, owner of a downtown Cape Girardeau restaurant, Mediterranean on Broadway, is a member of the Sunni sect, which he described as more liberal. "God was never an extremist," he said, standing near the buffet table. "God is right in the middle." The object of praying five times a day, kneeling on a clean cloth, lying with one's nose and forehead on the ground, "is the ultimate humility," he said, a reminder that human life is transient. At the far end of the room, Dr. Musa Wadi, who during the week treats patients through the Pulmonary Clinic of Southeast Missouri Hospital, gave an informal lecture with slides highlighting key points of the Muslim faith and answering common questions. Wadi explained why Muslim women wear headscarves, called a hijab -- an Arabic term for modest dress. "Is is because she's having a bad hair day or because her family makes her or both?" Wadi asked. Some in the room chuckled, but listened as he explained that modesty for men and women is an important part of the Muslim culture. He went on to say that personal hygiene is highly valued. "Cleanliness is half the faith," he said. The other half of faith, he said, is respect for human life, caring for the less fortunate and worshipping a single God. Deb and Dennis Hanabarger of Cape Girardeau visited the community center after learning about the open house. Deb Hanabarger said she's seen Muslim women working out at her gym and had questions about women's roles in the religion. She said she came to the open house because "we're Christians, and we wanted to show love." She liked the various dishes she sampled and even bought a copy of the Quran. "I'm sure we have differences over Jesus' role," she said. "But we have a lot in common -- respect for elders, the young and the parents, being against slavery. And the Ten Commandments? They seem to agree with the words ... I believe love is the bottom line for everything." 388-3646 Were you there? Have a comment? Log on to semissourian.com Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau open house
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I question the lady who claims to be a Christian. She says that they probably have different views of "Jesus'" role. Well, obviously if they don't belive that Jesus was the Messiah. That's more than just believing in different roles, that's believing in totally different faith based systems. I am afraid that our Christian society has become so politically correct that they are afraid to just come out and say that this is what I believe eventhough there are others who don't believe it. They try to include everyone in something that everyone is not a part of. It's sad.
Onyourmind...the only thing sad is your snippy attitude. Too bad we are not all as good as you.
I am definately not a snippy person, nor do believe I am better than anyone else. I'm sorry that you misunderstood what I was trying to say. I just ask that if someone is going to believe in something that they put behind it the authority and deliberateness that it is due.
It's good that the Islamic Center did this and that the Missourian covered it. Thank you for publishing this.
@ Onyourmind: "I am afraid that our Christian society..."--I have to stop you right there. While I agree with you that people should be comfortable and free to say what they believe without retribution, by making this statement you are undermining that idea. By labeling our society with the beliefs of the majority you are labeling everyone else as outcasts.
What the Islamic Center is doing with this open house is stating what they believe publicly and with open arms. I believe this should be encouraged and protected.
"The people, when they have been unchecked, have been as unjust, tyrannical, brutal, barbarous, and cruel, as any king or senate possessed of uncontrollable power. The majority has eternally, and without one exception, usurped over the rights of the minority." -John Adams
Regarding our (majority) Christian society, I Thomas Jefferson's Autobiography references to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom says much:
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"Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination."
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Our country was founded largely due to religous persecution, yet many of our citizens today revert to intolerance for differing religous beliefs. We can - and must - learn to COEXIST. http://www.coexistonline.com/index.php
In the story, change the word "Islam" to "terrorism" and re-read the story. They are hate-mongers who are likely a sleeper cell right here in Cape, infesting our society, living among us just waiting to get the word from Osama to detonate a dirty bomb in St. Louis or Chicago. There is too much tolerance in our society...we need less tolerance of cultures whose religion teaches them to kill the infidels.
There are extremists in all organized religions, but to lump the millions of non-violent Muslims in with terrorists is simply absurd. You are correct on one point - there is too much tolerance - for uneducated, ignorant views such as yours. I forget where the First Book of Hatred is located in the Bible - could you point that out for me?
@ JarHead: That's an incredible insinuation. Did you say these things just to get attention? Looking at the comments you have made on other articles it seems you make it a habit of making inflammatory, bitter remarks.
I agree with JarHead. Call me a bigot, I don't care. It was Muslims who bombed us on 9-11, not Christians or Buddhists. As a whole, screw them! Individually, I'm very skepticle and don't trust them. Why is it that many people are so afraid to offend others? There's nothing wrong with offending someone. There's everything wrong with not standing up for what you believe in. When Muslims as a whole start raising strong opposition to groups like CAIR, I'll start being more tolerant. Until then, forget about it.
Here's a great article on CAIR...
http://www.danielpipes.org/article/394
I hope rational thought isn't as lost in the rest of Southeast Missouri as it seems to be here.