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N I 'i'" I‘CVVU'I-V‘El' 's-,.."",) BIG 1369.] King Street li., St. Jacobs 664-2442 _ 63 Joseph St. Fort Carling 1-705-765-0746 _ NEW LOCA'I10N NOW OPEN has Vicioliu St. Niagara-gg-Ihgake 1-905-468-2786 The Enrichment Club Open house, open minds, warm hearts call from the Aganadian Islamic ongress last week, urging mosques and Muslim community centres across Canada to host public open houses beginning Sunday, Sept. 23 has been termed " very effective, very success- ful," by local organizers. While Mal numbers have not yet been tallied, it is esti- mated that thousands from the non-Muslim public set foot inside a local masjid tor mosque) for the tirst time, to share coffee, tea. sweets, and informed con- versation about what it means to be Muslim and fol- iirtiirft. u. ttiiiiiWi.ji." 74533” $3.2m m Pwunr. hum AND Mom-am Buns" For The Chronicle low the faith of Islam At the Ed, Street Masjid in Waterloo, for example. visi- tors - often whole families and church groups at a time -- gladly deposited long rows of outdoor shoes in the foyer. before venturing onto the soft cream-coloured broadloom that covers the main, glass-domed prayer room. Despite the animated hubbub of voices and the darting energy of excited children. it was the most visually serene spot on the property. _ _ _ ' Everywhere else, visitors encountered evidence of the temporary chaos caused by an ongoing S500,000 renova- tion and expansion pro- While pouring numerous cups of coffee for the steady stream of guests, a smiling older woman explained that this was her first time in the masjid as well. "I'm Anglican, you see, but my daughter married a wonder- ful Muslim man who wor- ships here, and now this is part of my grandchildren's heritage too. I just had to be involved and do something positive to show my respect and gratitude for this beauti- ful, gentle faith... Once you really take the trouble to learn about Islam, it changes your point of view forever. " Meanwhile Dawud, a masjid member whose own family roots are mainly Scottish, had gathered a fas- cinated circle of listeners who peppered him with questions about Islamic rit, uals. ethics, dress, dietary rules, arts, literature, wor- ship. human rights, family values -. all the issues peo- ple of faith care about, regardless of how they describe and praise their Creator. Surprise clearly showed on many faces when he told them that the community of this masjid alone embraces more than two-dozen differ- ent national and ethnic groups "You might have thought that all Muslims were dark- skinned or black. but you can see that my complexion is the same as most of yours," he said. "The person who lives next door to you might bea Muslim and he or she is your neighbour. part of the community we all share as Canadians." Downstairs, Fahel, a genial and articulate young man who came to Canada from Iraq more than two decades ago, was describing how he got used to the con- trasting cycle of seasons here, learned to like snow. and settled down to marry and raise a family "in the best place there is to live in all the world." Without a trace of irrita- tion he observed how much there is to be grateful for in North American society, but that most people here have nothing else with which to compare their relative good fortune. "They often get upset when the cable goes down, or when they have to wait in a tramc jam... and [with laughter] they get really paranoid when the line at Tim Horton's is too long!" Fahel is bringing his young children up to be joy- fully appreciative of every- thing they have, encourag- ing them to pray daily, and to help and share with those who have less. "It's the way of Islam, just like all of your major religions." he summa- rized, as surrounding visi- tors' heads nodded in agree- ment. - Prof. Mohamed Elmasry Canadian Islamic Congress national president "There are, of course, some in our community who are fearful because of a few misguided anti-Muslim acts, but this is not the time Norma Hayman, visiting to hide out." another Ontario mosque last Sunday, said she wanted to let her Muslim neighours know that she and her friends don't hold all Muslims responsible for the actions of a few criminal fanatics who abuse the name of Islam in claiming to act for their faith. "That's like saying we have to go after every white American because of what Timothy McVeigh did," she said. referring to the bombing of the Oklahoma Federal Building and the tragic loss of life that resulted. "We are very happy that the open house idea was so well received across this country," said ClC national president, Prof. Mohamed Elmasry. "There are, of course, some in our c0mmu- nity who are fearful because of a few misguided anti- Muslim acts, but this is not the time to hide out. In the aftermath of the terrible sor- row and suffering caused by the terrorist attacks of Sept. ll, all Canadians must come together in a spirit of under- standing and reconciliation. We hope that even more mosques will hold regular open houses during the coming weeks to show the other side, the majority side, of Canada and Canadians." "This allows neighbours to get together, to know one another better and to encourage genuine friend- ship and cross-cultural understanding," added Mrs. Wahida Valiante, national vice-president of the Islamic Congress. It is expected that more mosques will hold open house gatherings at various times in coming days and weeks (check your local newspaper, radio. or cable television community events service for details). Many local politicians have attended in recent weeks, joining with hundreds of men, women, and children in their ridings and con- stituencies. Special requests are already being received in many communities, includ- ing those of Waterloo Region, to accommodate group visits from schools. churches and other interest- ed organizations. (Pauline Finch is a student at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. Dr. Mohamed Elmasry is professor of computer and electrical engineering at the University of Waterloo and president of the Canadian Islamic Congress.)