On Saturday, April 29, the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs invited its neighbors to learn more about Islam and Muslims.

Heavy rain came before the event started so organizers thought attendance might be less. But a huge turnout came to meet their Muslim neighbors.

The event, which ran from 2 to 5:30 p.m., welcomed many members of the non-Muslim community and featured members of churches, temples and synagogues, as well as several local and state politicians.

The purpose of the Open Mosque Day was to introduce the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs and its community, religion and culture to its brothers and sisters from different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds.

The Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs is a nonprofit organization that provides religious services, programs for youth and adults, charitable donations and educational programs, with an emphasis on promoting communal harmony through social, educational and relief activities.

Guests were asked to remove their shoes and take a seat inside the mosque prayer room. Several female guests enjoyed getting henna designs on their hands, a very popular feature of the event. Many of the female guests also had an opportunity to try on the hijab (the Islamic head covering scarf).

Several guests were walking around with their names written in Arabic on a sheet of paper, which they got in the calligraphy booth.

Nabeela Syed, a student from a local school, was the master of ceremonies for the event. At the beginning, she highlighted details of the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs and the purpose of the gathering. Two children, Sufiya Shazia Khan and Kamran Javid, started the evening with recitation of Qur’an with English translation. The evening proceeded with a welcome and thank you from Zille Khan.

Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, director of the Gain Peace project, was the main speaker. He explained about the practices of a Muslim based on the five pillars of Islam: Belief in one God, prayer, charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca.

After Sabeel’s speech was completed, a panelist offered to answer any questions about Islam. The panel included Imam Shaikh Chahin, Dr. Sabeel Ahmed and Lady Scholar Samira Chaker. People asked questions about the sharia law, role of the Imam and wearing the hijab.

Abdul Javid, mosque interfaith and outreach director, said, “Our youth and our great volunteers are behind the success. We will continuously make good relations and understanding with our neighbors.”

Senior mosque member Hamid Ali Khan said, “Today we have huge turnout, even in the heavy rain. This Open Day offers to neighbors a better understanding of Islam and dispels negative perceptions of the religion and Muslims. We will do more open houses in this mosque.”

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