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ISLAM IN AMERICA
With Iman and Collective Vision Muslims from Guyana and Trinidad realize their long-held dream. BY JAMAL A. ABDUL-KARIM
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n 15 May, an enthusiastic gathering celebrated the realization of a project launched in 1973: the new 16,000 sq. ft. mosque of the Islamic Society of Washington (ISWA; www.iswamd.org). This wholly community-financed project held its first major on-site community event in Ramadan 2009 and on ‘Eid al-Fitr. As a reminder of the past, the new mosque’s foundation was set and built around a portion of the original basement structure in order to remind the people of how this new structure is the result of iman, sacrifice, dedication, and collective effort. Community members who remember the original converted single-family house that sat on a 5.6-acre lot in Silver Spring, MD, savor the new structure’s accommodating and peaceful atmosphere. Some years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Imam Faizul Rahman Khan about the congregation’s primary cultural composition: Guyanese and Trinidadian Muslims. Today, ISWA is a well-respected organization with a diverse membership. I have witnessed its growth for nearly ten years, since my family and I actively began participating in the community’s and mosque’s activities. To most regular congregates and core members, this deed is a miracle. Standing inside the main entrance, one immediately notices the beautifully tiled floor of the area located beyond the main hall’s vestibule. At the other end is the imam’s office. Looking up, one can see the spectacular central opening in the ceiling. Peering into the ascending vault, a beautiful open space in the mosque’s upper level, one notices that the uppermost chamber is flanked by a series of windows that permit natural light to filter into the building. This vision creates a feeling of openness within the heart while one’s eyes take in the sight. The décor itself appears in warm earth tones of beige, green, and light yellow. In the sisters’ area, a fuchsia color creates a softened effect. The carpets are quite comfortable, and the color schemes in both rooms are complimentary. The mosque features regular weekend classes in Qur’anic studies and ‘aqidah (applied Islamic principles of daily life) for children, tafsir classes on Friday evenings for adults, fiqh discussions on weekend mornings, matrimonial and counseling services, proactive lectures, seminars and programs designed to prevent domestic violence, a Muslim women’s monthly “Get Together,” an on-going guest khatib and imam program, and classes for new Muslims. Whenever I enter the mosque, I feel the same sense of humility evoked by the old site. The peace endures throughout the day, while tranquility descends upon it and those who pray fajr here. It is truly amazing, for local community members actually raised this structure from the ground up. And of course this physical raising was accompanied by the raising of renewed faith, hope, loyalty, promise, and devotion through worship. 28 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2010
Community members who remember the original converted single-family house that sat on a 5.6-acre lot in Silver Spring, MD, savor the new structure’s peaceful and accommodating atmosphere
An artist’s conception and model were displayed in the original building’s main lobby. Today, it is as if we have stepped into that very model. With more than three times the original space, men and women can pray comfortably in their designated — and much larger — areas. On the upper level, one finds three large multipurpose rooms and another room set aside for the mosque’s library and a stateof-the-art resource center. There are four restrooms, two on the main floor, each equipped for wudu’, and two on the upper level that include shower facilities. A full professional kitchen, with storage and cabinet space, is also located on the upper level. In the original building, the kitchen was the place for preparing meals or for informal gatherings among the imam or other mosque officials with community members. The mosque also features an elevator and, in the not-too-distant future, a small but well-equipped gym will be added. ISWA has come a long way from holding congregational prayers and other activities in family homes, church recreation centers, and various rented facilities. To say the least, the new building is quite impressive; each time I pass through it to make salat or attend the jumu‘ah prayer, I still come away thoroughly impressed by the accomplishment. It is the same feeling that others express to me, and we all say that it is truly amazing.
______________________________________ Jamal A. Abdul-Karim is a faculty member at the College Park, MD-based Al-Huda School.