In a show of Islamic hospitality, acceptability, tolerance and coexistence, the Dar-us Salaam community in College Park, Maryland organized a neighborhood barbeque for residents and first responders in North College Park on Saturday 27th April, 2019.
The classic barbeque event attracted many residents and their families from all walks of life and nationalities was ‘’a major drive to demystify the misconceptions and stereotypes held against Islam and Muslims’’, according to Imam Safi Khan who doubles as the Director and Imam of Dar-us-Salaam and Al-Huda School.
Safi Khan told The MuslimLink that one of the major considerations for the barbeque event was to create an avenue to establish acquaintances with neighbors. He said even though they have been organizing community outreach programs, bringing members of the community together for the special barbeque event was the first such event for this year. He told our reporter that it was extremely important in Islam to foster good community relations - getting to know neighbors and empowering them to know more about Islam, the school and its programs. Explaining the nature of their work, Imam Khan told attendees that there are several departments within Dar-us-Salaam and that the Islamic Information Center was the department charged with the responsibility of sharing Islam with Non-Muslims.
Imam Khan was happy with the large turnout at the event. "Engaging the community is key to demystifying misconceptions and stereotypes held against Islam and Muslims," he explained. "It's good when people interact as it diminishes apprehensions."
Haroon Baqai, Principal of Al-Huda School said the barbeque definitely achieved the goal of bringing neighbors together. "The event will go a long way [towards] changing [negative] perceptions and helping neighbors to know what Islam and Muslims are all about," said Baqai.
Over twenty members from the Branchville Volunteer Rescue Squad were in attendance to grace the occasion. The rescue squad is an emergency patrol for any eventuality in the community. Rosa Scholl, a member of the team told The MuslimLink that it was an amazing feeling to interact with the Muslims at Dar-us-Salaam. She said it was a good thing to get the community together as it helps them to also know members at an informal level outside of any emergency operations. Rosa expressed her personal impression about the event stating that "it was a positive one as willingly hosting people to a free food event is not an easy task."
Community residents Ann -- originally from Ukraine -- and her husband Raymond Bolduc have been living in the community since 1982. Ann stated that "everyone has beliefs and they should enjoy the right to their beliefs." "The atmosphere is calm and friendly plus the food tastes good," sid Ann. Her husband noted that it was the second time he was attending Dar-us-Salaam's event and he enjoyed it very much.
Musa Abubakar is a Ghanian resident who moved into the neighborhood two years ago. He told The MuslimLink that he was particularly happy living in the community because of its proximity to other Muslims. He also expressed satisfaction with the large group of people who attended the event. "It shows Dar-us-Salaam is well respected and friendly for people to come out in such numbers," he said.
Speaking to The MuslimLink about the attitude of the Muslims in the community, Janet Frankovic, a resident who has been living in the neighborhood for a number of years said it was nice to attend the event. She observed that the staff and children in the school are very peaceful. "Seeing them going about their daily work routine and greeting me everyday is nice and friendly, but attending an event wherein I get to interact with them physically is an amazing and wonderful feeling," she said.
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