Hawzah News Agency-As more than a hundred people observed and waited to learn about Islam, dozens of Muslim men and women joined in silent prayer at the Islamic Center of Conejo Valley,California,US

Visitors to the mosque in Newbury Park for a regional initiative called Open Mosque Day received guided tours of the center, enjoyed a lunch buffet and learned first-hand about a religion that many had only heard about on television. The initiative was established in 2002 by the Shura Council of Southern California.

“What we see in the media may be very different than what Islam is, and that is one of the primary reasons we open the mosque to the community,” said Salma Ghafari, who organized the event.

Ghafari, a pharmacist who has lived in the Conejo Valley for 15 years, said she hoped people would come away not only knowing more about Islam but also realizing that Muslims have more in common with them than they might think.

Imam Ahmed Patel has been the religious leader at the center for 12 years and finds Open Mosque Day a great opportunity to connect with people in the community, educate them about the religion of Islam and dispel preconceptions some may have about the faith.

During a condensed education on the Muslim principles and teachings, Patel spoke about the importance of prayer, fasting and helping people in the community. Muslims, he said, are not to eat pork or drink alcohol and are encouraged to participate in charity.

At the end of every year, he said, Muslims check their savings and give 2 1/2 percent to the poor and needy. They are also required to “treat everyone with justice.”

Dr. Bader Iqbal, a family physician in private practice for 25 years, turned to the visitors during prayer and explained that it was akin to mindful meditation.

“You pull away from all worldly things and for a minute, you’re just standing in front of your creator and simply praising him and glorifying him and asking for help in your day-to-day struggles,” he said.

Karen James, director of children’s activities at the Church of the Epiphany in Oak Park joined more than 40 members of the congregation to see how other people worshiped. She and other visitors were delighted to see that, like Christian churches and Jewish temples — and other places of religious worship — the mosque offered educational programs and recreational activities for children and outreach to the needy.

“We’re not different,” James said. “We are looking today at the sameness. The things we share.”