My visit to the local Islamic Center

"For the sun and the moon and the stars that light the night, we give you thanks. For the rain and the wind and the storm, we give you thanks. For the diversity of people whom you have created, we give you thanks. Holy and precious God, we ask that you would grant us the understanding and the patience to live in peace, with your creation, and with all those whom you have created.  Help us remember that we are all brothers and sisters in you. Amen."

   --prayer from God's Politics Blog


Weeks ago I received an invitation to visit the Islamic Center in Birmingham. The request stated that it would be an opportunity to learn more about Islam and to make new friends. I forgot about the invitation until I kept reading about the furor over the proposed Muslim Center near Ground Zero. Then word came about the suspicious fire at a Muslim Center in Murfreesboro Tennessee. None of us have been able to escape the rantings of that Pastor in Florida who is promoting the burning of the Koran on September 11. I decided it was time to see Islam up close.

So Tuesday night my wife and I drove out to the Crescent Islamic Center in Hoover. There were about 20 of us who came to observe and learn. We were met by several members of that community and the leader who is called an Imam. We sat around tables and listened as their leader talked and we asked questions.

I learned much about this group that I did not know. The Muslim faith is the fastest growing religion in the world. There are between 1.4 and 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. There are approximately ten million members in America. Interestingly, the majority of Muslims can be found not in the Middle East but in South-East Asia. In Birmingham there are two Mosques and another is being built. I was surprised to learn there are seven to ten thousand Muslims who live in our community.

The word, Islam means submission to the Almighty. They revere the Koran as their holy book as much as most Christians revere the Bible. We met during Ramadan which is the holiest season in the year for Muslims. From August 11 until September 9 this faith community fasts from sunrise to sunset. As the sun sets they enjoy family and community meals, use this season to refocus their attention of God and practice self-sacrifice . Part of their observance was to open their doors to members of the Birmingham community for dialogue and understanding.

Someone in our group asked why they left their own countries and came to the United States. The leader told us they came to Americas because of corrupt government and the brutality of dictators in some of their countries. Most came from poor nations and wanted a better life for their families. They came to get a first-class education. But most of all they came because the United States is a free land.

I met members who study at UAB, some who have graduated in computer science and engineering and medical fields. I talked to members who were proud of the accomplishments their children found in our schools. The people we met were kind and gentle and wanted us to understand their ways. They listened to our concerns.

Someone asked if Islam was a threat to America. The Imam shook his head. Most of the Muslims, he said, were peace-loving people . He went on to say that most of us fear what we do not know. Those terrorists who have caused so much heartbreak and destruction do not represent the Muslim faith any more than Christians are to be judged by that Pastor in Florida who wants to burn their holy book. Every faith group has its radicals and it would be unfair to judge a whole people by a handful of terrorists.

Many Muslims dress differently that we do. They worship Allah--take their shoes off when they pray five times a day. The women and men are separated in worship. They pray in the Arabic language. Their sanctuary is lined with Arabic quotations from the Koran. Most comes from other countries and bring with them vestiges of cultures that seem foreign to our ways. They taught me a lesson I often forget: to be different is not wrong at all.

I assured that group that we were embarrassed by the Pastor in Florida who talks of burning the Koran. I reminded all those present that this man had 50 people in his church and if the media had not focused on him, few would know about his prejudices. I told those present that we should never forget that there were over 60 of their faith that died that sad day of September 11th. These were Americans--they were not terrorists.

That night we ate together, enjoyed each other’s company and parted knowing a little more about each other’s faith. People all over the world look to us as a country where all are free to live and worship as we choose. What a shame it would be if people fled the oppression of their country only to find the same thing in America. To make the word, all large and encompassing word is still part of our homework. Last Tuesday night I felt hospitality. Surely Birmingham will return the favor.