Outtakes: The Memphis Islamic Center and their neighbors
Sep
Dear dedicated readers, we are recuperating these last three days. Bear with us as we are in the process of making our last posts. There are a wealth of stories we couldn’t fit in the blog. Today, we talk about a small and hopeful story about an Islamic center and their generous neighbors.
They knew that there was a church close to them when they were began building the Memphis Islamic Center, they just didn’t know what kind of a church it was.
“We were planning to go by,” Danish Siddiqi, the communications director of the Memphis Islamic Center, says, “they just got to us before we could.”
Within days of the construction starting, the Heartsong Church, the coincidental nieghbors of the mosque, put out a sign.
“We couldn’t believe what it said.” Danish chuckles.
The sign read, “Heartsong Church welcomes the Memphis Islamic Center to the neighborhood.”
The Muslim community was taken aback by the sign. Soon enough, they paid their visit to the pastor of the church.
“Steven Stone is an incredibly generous and hospitable man.” Danish says with excitement.
Dr. Steve Stone is the pastor of the Heartsong Church, affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has been instrumental in being hospitable to his new neighbors.
“Last Ramadan the church had a family day and organized a ‘no pork bbq’ for us.” Danish tells me.
But since it was Ramadan and the Muslims were fasting they couldn’t eat the food, but still appreciated the warm gesture. It was this year, when the relationship between the mosque and the Heartsong Church got even stronger.
The plan was to have the mosque built before the start of Ramadan so they can start holding the special Eid prayers there. Unfortunately, the mosque was behind schedule and it didn’t seem like the construction would be complete for Ramadan. Danish and the board members began to scour and find a place that they could rent.
“We tried all other options, but couldn’t find a big enough space. So that’s when we decided to go ask the pastor.”
Dr. Steve said that he wouldn’t rent the space to them, but instead, would give it to them free for as long as they want.
“Again, we couldn’t believe it. We insisted on paying, but they refused the money.”
The Heartsong Church hosted all 30 days of Ramadan taraweeh, the special night prayer during the month, in their large auditorium. Church members also stood by the door greeting the Muslim congregants that came to pray.
“It’s like the doors miraculously open for us when we come here,” Yasir Qadhi, a prominent Islamic scholar, said to me the day I attended the mosque. For those who don’t know, Yasir Qadhi recently took up a position at the Memphis Islamic Center as the resident scholar.
“Yeah, I never thought I’d end up in Memphis,” Yasir says, “but this place is great.”
Aman and I didn’t get to spend as much time in Memphis as we wish we had, but the time we spent with Chip and Eunice and then at the Heartsong Church gave us a small glimpse on what true interfaith community building looks like.
“This entire episode, makes us scratch our heads. And ask us how much do we even know the nieghbors we live around?” Danish says to me.
Future
The Memphis Islamic Center is stil in the process of being built, but are hoping for the building to be completed fairly soon. In the back, the board members have contemplated creating a baseball field for the youth. Many in the community weren’t sure if there were enough Muslims that play baseball, but Danish begs to differ.
“Sure, right now there are more folks that want to play cricket. But I don’t think that’ll be the case with their kids.” Danish chuckles.
Building a baseball field is not just important for their own community, but Danish sees this as an opportunity to return the kind gesture. The Heartsong Church is in need of a baseball field to host home games and the Memphis Islamic Center is looking to be their home.
Nice story guys. Indeed that is an example of what a true interfaith community is. May God bless both communities.. So I hope we don’t have to wait till next Rqmadan for more material from this site..
Awww! A no pork bbq and hosting taraweeh for free? Interfaith relations at their finest. “The Heartsong Church is in need of a baseball field to host home games and the Memphis Islamic Center is looking to be their home.” This part, along with the rest of the article, was very heartwarming.
God bless America!
That brought tears to my eyes. There is a loot of goodness out there, and I’m lad you are exposing it.
WOW thanks for sharing, I am all choked up now from reading this post. holding back tears
Keith Olbermann had a really great interview with the Pastor and the Imam from Memphis about this heartwarming interfaith story
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/39069808#39069808
as-salamu alaykum wr wb brothers! Did either you ask Yasir Qadhi the hukum for praying in a church under the crosses that were hanging next to them, while they were praying without the malikaht present?
I wrote a blog post about this a few days ago using Olbermann’s interview as my inspiration….I hope you’ll take a moment to check it out. The story you tell above is exactly how the world is meant to be…if we can all just get out of our own way! LOL! http://melibeeglobal.com/2010/09/the-ninth-anniversary-of-911-and-our-profound-responsibility-to-work-toward-peace/
Thank you for posting this. What an example for us all to follow!
Loves it.
brought tears to my eyes. thanks for sharing. loved it!
To Yusuf Sneed:Where we pray is irrelevant,in a mosque, own home, prison, church etc.It’s what you do that does matter.Crosses and any other symbols are just, well symbols that human brains have learn to identify.What does that have anything to do with our soul communicating with God, right?I don’t think God is too bothered about that, so should you.
What a far cry from quran burning christians.
On the subject of praying in churches – I couldn’t resist bringing this question up in a discussion group at our synagogue (Temple Israel) in Memphis this Saturday morning. The Jews have exactly the same problem. Many knowledgeable Jews, and even most rabbis, are very comfortable praying in mosques where there is no question of the monotheism and no distracting symbols. But many orthodox Jews are reluctant to pray in a church and most orthodox rabbis will not participate in an event in a church sanctuary (they are often quite willing to speak or otherwise participate in events in a church social hall.) Reform Jews and Rabbis generally are more comfortable participating in events in churches.
Local Muslim leaders in Memphis had been reluctant to participate in a large annual previously Jewish-Christian youth event when it was held in a church. The solution was to move it outdoors to a city park with a large concert shell, and the Muslims have actively participated in the event there.
Awww humanity at it’s best
Ne güzel bir gezi yapmışsınız tebrik ederim doğrusu keşke doğru düzgün ingilizcem olsada türkceye çevirebilsem bu yazdıklarınızıda ülkemizde yayınlasam turkey
@ Chip Ordman — Interesting thoughts. As one who was raised a Christian, i’d never really thought about that. I know there is a Red Crescent counterpart to the Red Cross, and *assumed* it was because of feelings about the red cross worn by many Crusaders. I hope the members of the Memphis Islamic Center held Soraya Mohd Ahir’s sentiments as they prayed. Heartsong is a beautiful word for encouraging communication with our God / Allah / J_weh.
Follow me as I embark on my Hajj journey…http://myhajj.blogspot.com/
la ilaha ilia allah!
Thanks for it !!!