Julia Evelsizer
The Pantagraph
Stephen Robinson, sociology teacher at Normal Community High School, eagerly accepted a student's invitation to learn about a different religion.
Pantagraph photo by Steve Smedley
Robinson is Buddhist. The student is Muslim. The invitation was for Saturday's open house at Masjid Ibrahim mosque, 2407 E. Washington St.
About 100 Christians, Buddhists and atheists filled the mosque to learn more about the Islamic faith from their Muslim neighbors.
“We hope people will use this event to learn more about Islam personally, rather than to only hear what’s reported in the media,” said mosque president, Mohammed Zaman.
Robinson and his partner, Jaime Breeck, attended with their 2-year-old son, Avram.
“We wanted to support the Muslim community and have a better understanding of their faith,” said Breeck.
“We are conscious of the discriminatory culture we live in," added Robinson. "We brought our son here because we want him to learn about all different people and cultures so he can decide what he wants in life.”
Zaman said one of the event's main goals was to dispel myths about Islam.
“Many think the two words that should come after Muslim are ‘terrorism’ and ‘violence,’ but it is a very peaceful religion,” said Zaman.
Guests were greeted at the door and asked to remove their shoes. The mosque provided lunch and reading materials; visitors could ask questions and watch prayers. Each was offered a copy of the Quran to take home.
Director Sabeel Ahmed of Gain Peace, a non-profit Chicago organization whose goal is to educate the public about Islam, was the main speaker.
“We are all a part of this wonderful country and we hope many will leave this event as friends," said Ahmed.
He explained the basics of Islamic beliefs and how closely the religion is tied to Christianity.
“We believe in one God and we worship him as the creator, not creation itself, just like Christians,” said Ahmed.
During his studies of the bible, Ahmed found most of the scriptures to be the same. Muslims believe in Jesus as a prophet and accept him the same way they accept Mohammed as a prophet. They believe Mohammed to be the last prophet of God, with Jesus before him.
“Powerful is not he who knocks the other down. Indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger,” said Ahmed, quoting Mohammed.
Kelley Becker, associate minister at First Christian Church in Bloomington, attended with church members. Becker, who works with Not In Our Town of Bloomington-Normal, said NIOT is working with local Hindu and Jewish temples on more open houses.
“It’s hard to hate people when you come face to face and listen to their stories,” said Becker. “We all see God similarly and we all want the same things for the world and our families.”
