Washington, NU Online
The American Moslem Society (AMS), one of the oldest mosques in the entire North America, is celebrating 70 years of catering for the Muslim community's religious and spiritual needs but also providing many vital services.
"This historic institution has been central to the growth of the Muslim community and Islamic institutions throughout the US," AMS President Mahdi Ali told IslmaOnline.net.<>
Established in 1937, the mosque, the oldest in Michigan, is celebrating its 70th birthday on May 15.
"The AMS is one of the oldest mosque and Islamic organizations not only in the State of Michigan, but also in North America," says Ali.
Since its establishment by a group of Lebanese-Syrian factory workers, the mosque has become a focal point for the Muslim community.
The mosque has been playing multiple roles, not only religious and spiritual, and provides counseling to families to cope with their problems.
AMS also works with parents to provide youth and children with the necessary tools to avoid the pitfalls of drugs, violence and other destructive behavior.
Education takes a central stage among the AMS services, as the mosque established two schools to teach the Arabic language, Islamic studies and the recitation of the Qur’an.
Though there are no official figures, the US is home to from seven million Muslims and about 2,000 mosques.
Integrationist
The mosque officials affirm that it plays a pivotal integrationist and inter-faith role.
"I think that the AMS is one of the important organizations in the Metro Detroit area that works with the other Islamic centers and organizations to help American Muslims integrate with in the society," says Ali, the AMS president.
It arranges open houses, hosts seminars at local libraries and distributes Islamic literature to educate people about the true message of Islam.
It invites non-Muslim groups to see for themselves that mosques are places of worship and tolerance not breeding grounds for extremism as stereotyped.
Outreach activities saw the AMS welcoming more than 1,000 non-Muslim visitors every year.
During the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, the mosque organizes a yearly Humanity Day where non-Muslims and Muslims are invited for a joint iftar (fast-breaking meal).
AMS has also worked with national and global humanitarian organizations to raise funds, food and other necessities for the poor and victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami.
America's Muslims continue to face discrimination because of their Islamic attires or identities.
A survey by Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum has found that the majority of Americans know very little about Islam and that their attitudes toward Muslims and their faith have grown more negative in recent years.
"We need all of our community members to help us and get involved," says the AMS president.
"Everyone needs to contribute and be a positive change agent." (dar)
The American Moslem Society (AMS), one of the oldest mosques in the entire North America, is celebrating 70 years of catering for the Muslim community's religious and spiritual needs but also providing many vital services.
"This historic institution has been central to the growth of the Muslim community and Islamic institutions throughout the US," AMS President Mahdi Ali told IslmaOnline.net.<>
Established in 1937, the mosque, the oldest in Michigan, is celebrating its 70th birthday on May 15.
"The AMS is one of the oldest mosque and Islamic organizations not only in the State of Michigan, but also in North America," says Ali.
Since its establishment by a group of Lebanese-Syrian factory workers, the mosque has become a focal point for the Muslim community.
The mosque has been playing multiple roles, not only religious and spiritual, and provides counseling to families to cope with their problems.
AMS also works with parents to provide youth and children with the necessary tools to avoid the pitfalls of drugs, violence and other destructive behavior.
Education takes a central stage among the AMS services, as the mosque established two schools to teach the Arabic language, Islamic studies and the recitation of the Qur’an.
Though there are no official figures, the US is home to from seven million Muslims and about 2,000 mosques.
Integrationist
The mosque officials affirm that it plays a pivotal integrationist and inter-faith role.
"I think that the AMS is one of the important organizations in the Metro Detroit area that works with the other Islamic centers and organizations to help American Muslims integrate with in the society," says Ali, the AMS president.
It arranges open houses, hosts seminars at local libraries and distributes Islamic literature to educate people about the true message of Islam.
It invites non-Muslim groups to see for themselves that mosques are places of worship and tolerance not breeding grounds for extremism as stereotyped.
Outreach activities saw the AMS welcoming more than 1,000 non-Muslim visitors every year.
During the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, the mosque organizes a yearly Humanity Day where non-Muslims and Muslims are invited for a joint iftar (fast-breaking meal).
AMS has also worked with national and global humanitarian organizations to raise funds, food and other necessities for the poor and victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami.
America's Muslims continue to face discrimination because of their Islamic attires or identities.
A survey by Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum has found that the majority of Americans know very little about Islam and that their attitudes toward Muslims and their faith have grown more negative in recent years.
"We need all of our community members to help us and get involved," says the AMS president.
"Everyone needs to contribute and be a positive change agent." (dar)
