Hawzah News Agency-The Central Mosque of Charleston, South Carolina, US is hosting an open house, where everyone, non-Muslims included, is welcome to see the practice of Islam in action. The Mosque's members hope to promote unity and understanding between the local Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
“This will be a platform where we want interaction between the different communities,” says Shab Maghrabi, the treasurer of the Central Mosque. The event will feature readings from the Quran, an appearance from guest speaker Imam Eesa Woods, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Maghrabi Adds: "Friendly interaction between people and then also being tolerant to each other’s opinions and dogmas and principles.”
The Central Mosque of Charleston is located at 1082 King St. The open house will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sat. Dec. 3 and is open to the public.
Central Mosque has been here since 1987 — long before a man who proposed banning Muslims from immigrating here, suggested a Muslim registry, and inspired a wave of anti-Muslim attacks, became the president-elect of the United States.
In the early days, only about 10-20 families were members. The mosque now counts 300 to 400 people as members. There are engineers, business people, state and federal government workers, doctors.
“It is what it is,” said Ibtesam Barazi, vice president of the association.
“We are not going anywhere,” Barazi said.
They have experienced growing pains as their membership has grown. They had to hold events at other locations because their multipurpose room was too small.
“Now we do not have to go anywhere,” Barazi said.
They had to use dividers to create classrooms. The sanctuary couldn’t hold all the people on holidays.
Today at the open house, they will unveil a new mosque twice its original size, complete with 10 new classrooms, a full-size gym, an expansive multipurpose room, a new kitchen and more. They spent millions on the renovations, all paid for by donations from members.
“I think we need to show people we are here, and we are growing,” Barazi said. “We are part of the fabric of this community.”
Their kids go to school here. In the new gym, they can play with their friends of other faiths.
The open house will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1 Valley Drive in South Charleston. The program begins at 1:30 p.m.
