WASHINGTON – The Islamic Center, the oldest mosque in Washington DC, is not only a favorite destination of resident and visiting Muslims, but also many non-Muslims who come seeking knowledge about the Muslim faith.
"We try to spread knowledge of Islam as the Noble Qur’an teaches us; through wisdom and good guidance," Imam Abdullah M. Khouj, the center's director, told IslamOnline.net in an interview inside his office.
The historic mosque, located at the heart of Washington on Massachusetts Avenue, is a destination for non-Muslims from America and beyond who come to join its popular tours.
"Everyday we receive from 10-600 people," says Imam Khouj.
Some of the tours are for State Department officials going to serve in the Muslim world or students going to study in Muslim countries.
"They come to the center and we give them lectures and seminars on the situation in the Middle East and what to expect and how to behave in a Muslim country," explains imam Khouj.
The Islamic Center is the oldest mosque in the Washington Metropolitan area.
*
Washington's Oldest Mosque
"Building the mosque started in 1947, and it was opened for the public in 1952," says imam Khouj.
When opened, the mosque was the largest Muslim place of worship in the Western Hemisphere.
Khouj says the idea of building the mosque was first born in 1944, a time when there was not a single mosque in the US capital.
"It was the collaborative effort of Muslims here and ambassadors of Islamic states," he explains.
"It was in the funeral of the Turkish ambassador at that time where they discussed the possibility of having a place for Muslims to practice their religion in the US, and this is how the mosque came to existence."
The Center is administered by a board of directors comprising all ambassadors from Muslim countries accredited to the US.
Know Islam
During the popular tours, mosque officials also give information about Islam, its teachings and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and answer questions from curious visitors.
"Many ask about the status of Jesus Christ in Islam, and I answer them that you cannot be a true Muslim if you do not believe in Jesus," says Abbassie Koroma, coordinator for group visits.
"Others ask me that if Islam is tolerant and peaceful then why there are so many Muslims who are terrorists. I answer that Islam has nothing to do with the wrong doing of individuals."
Koroma was speaking after finishing a tour for a group from a Christian Sunday school who listened attentively as he spoke about Islam’s five pillars and what is meant to be a Muslim.
"We came because I wanted the students to understand about Muslims, their religion," Tom Clumet, of the Sunday school, told IOL.
Dean, one of the students, joined the tour because his best friend is a Muslim and he wanted to know more about his religion.
He was fascinated with what he heard.
"I found the information I got very helpful. I feel I know Islam better now definitely."
The Center has welcomed over the year many high profile dignitaries, including several presidents.
It was the mosque chosen by then President George W. Bush on September 17, 2001, only days after 9/11 attacks, to speak to Americans about Islam.
The Islamic Center, the oldest mosque in Washington Metropolitan area, offers a variety of services to the local Muslim community.
Services
Like mosques across the US, the Islamic Center is offering a variety of services to the local Muslim community.
"This place is the center for every Muslim here in the area," says Khouj, the director.
"We try to be an educational, cultural and social center besides being a religious place."
The mosque contains a big library with all kinds of books on Islam, and it has classes to teach Arabic, Qur’an, Islamic jurisprudence and other subjects of religion.
"Unfortunately the center’s space does not allow us to build a school here, but we managed to arrange Saturday and Sunday classes for six grades."
The mosque is also involved in the community’s social life and tries to solve some of their problems.
"We do marriage counseling, we help people understand procedures of funerals and burials, we try to help people who are not married yet to get married," says imam Khouj.
"We bought a large cemetery and it is available for Muslims to bury their dead for free, because the cost of burial here in the US is extremely expensive."
But the service the Islamic Center is most proud of is its da`wah program.
"We have a large number of people who accept Islam here every month," says imam Khouj.
"We make a seminar for new Muslims who, in order to become involved in their new religion, will have to understand and have a clear vision instead of just following certain methods."
The Islamic center director also asserts that their outreach extends beyond the mosque premises.
"We have participants to help us send book packages to institutions across the US, especially in prisons where people want to know about Islam," he says.
"And we received letters from officials at some prisons thanking us because after the prisoners accept Islam their behavior changes and they become better human beings.
Khouj believes helping to spread the message of Islam is a main role for any mosque.
"We send a lot of people to schools, organizations and prisons to give lectures on Islam.
"We try very hard to hold to our religion and represent Islam as it should be represented."
"We try to spread knowledge of Islam as the Noble Qur’an teaches us; through wisdom and good guidance," Imam Abdullah M. Khouj, the center's director, told IslamOnline.net in an interview inside his office.
The historic mosque, located at the heart of Washington on Massachusetts Avenue, is a destination for non-Muslims from America and beyond who come to join its popular tours.
"Everyday we receive from 10-600 people," says Imam Khouj.
Some of the tours are for State Department officials going to serve in the Muslim world or students going to study in Muslim countries.
"They come to the center and we give them lectures and seminars on the situation in the Middle East and what to expect and how to behave in a Muslim country," explains imam Khouj.
The Islamic Center is the oldest mosque in the Washington Metropolitan area.
*
Washington's Oldest Mosque
"Building the mosque started in 1947, and it was opened for the public in 1952," says imam Khouj.
When opened, the mosque was the largest Muslim place of worship in the Western Hemisphere.
Khouj says the idea of building the mosque was first born in 1944, a time when there was not a single mosque in the US capital.
"It was the collaborative effort of Muslims here and ambassadors of Islamic states," he explains.
"It was in the funeral of the Turkish ambassador at that time where they discussed the possibility of having a place for Muslims to practice their religion in the US, and this is how the mosque came to existence."
The Center is administered by a board of directors comprising all ambassadors from Muslim countries accredited to the US.
Know Islam
During the popular tours, mosque officials also give information about Islam, its teachings and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and answer questions from curious visitors.
"Many ask about the status of Jesus Christ in Islam, and I answer them that you cannot be a true Muslim if you do not believe in Jesus," says Abbassie Koroma, coordinator for group visits.
"Others ask me that if Islam is tolerant and peaceful then why there are so many Muslims who are terrorists. I answer that Islam has nothing to do with the wrong doing of individuals."
Koroma was speaking after finishing a tour for a group from a Christian Sunday school who listened attentively as he spoke about Islam’s five pillars and what is meant to be a Muslim.
"We came because I wanted the students to understand about Muslims, their religion," Tom Clumet, of the Sunday school, told IOL.
Dean, one of the students, joined the tour because his best friend is a Muslim and he wanted to know more about his religion.
He was fascinated with what he heard.
"I found the information I got very helpful. I feel I know Islam better now definitely."
The Center has welcomed over the year many high profile dignitaries, including several presidents.
It was the mosque chosen by then President George W. Bush on September 17, 2001, only days after 9/11 attacks, to speak to Americans about Islam.
The Islamic Center, the oldest mosque in Washington Metropolitan area, offers a variety of services to the local Muslim community.
Services
Like mosques across the US, the Islamic Center is offering a variety of services to the local Muslim community.
"This place is the center for every Muslim here in the area," says Khouj, the director.
"We try to be an educational, cultural and social center besides being a religious place."
The mosque contains a big library with all kinds of books on Islam, and it has classes to teach Arabic, Qur’an, Islamic jurisprudence and other subjects of religion.
"Unfortunately the center’s space does not allow us to build a school here, but we managed to arrange Saturday and Sunday classes for six grades."
The mosque is also involved in the community’s social life and tries to solve some of their problems.
"We do marriage counseling, we help people understand procedures of funerals and burials, we try to help people who are not married yet to get married," says imam Khouj.
"We bought a large cemetery and it is available for Muslims to bury their dead for free, because the cost of burial here in the US is extremely expensive."
But the service the Islamic Center is most proud of is its da`wah program.
"We have a large number of people who accept Islam here every month," says imam Khouj.
"We make a seminar for new Muslims who, in order to become involved in their new religion, will have to understand and have a clear vision instead of just following certain methods."
The Islamic center director also asserts that their outreach extends beyond the mosque premises.
"We have participants to help us send book packages to institutions across the US, especially in prisons where people want to know about Islam," he says.
"And we received letters from officials at some prisons thanking us because after the prisoners accept Islam their behavior changes and they become better human beings.
Khouj believes helping to spread the message of Islam is a main role for any mosque.
"We send a lot of people to schools, organizations and prisons to give lectures on Islam.
"We try very hard to hold to our religion and represent Islam as it should be represented."
| Home | Daily News | Jzom |We Are On... |
