8 Mosques to Host 'Meet Your Muslim Neighbor' Open House

October 15, 2009

Author: Oralandar Brand-Williams

Source: The Detroit News

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091015/LIFESTYLE04/910150403/1041/8-mosques-to-host--Meet-Your-Muslim-Neighbor--open-house

Eight metro Detroit mosques are encouraging non-Muslims to visit their houses of worship Saturday as part of a coordinated open house to promote better understanding of the Quran holy book and Islam.

Members of the sponsoring Council of Islamic Organizations say the open house aims to promote peace, understanding, friendship and tolerance among people of all faiths and "to convey the correct understanding of Islam and Muslims."

Imam Aly Lela, of the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit in Rochester Hills, said he is inviting non-Muslims to his mosque because he sees it as a "first step toward mutual understanding to get to know each other and take a close look into this culture."

"The open house is a wonderful opportunity to come and ask questions they have on their minds in a friendly environment," Lela said of the event, called "Meet your Muslim Neighbor: Sharing our Common Heritage."