US Muslims in Steelton gather with community members to build bridges

Sunday 31 Jan 2016 - 13:08 Makkah mean time-21-4-1437

Atizaz Mansoor, a spokesman for the Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg. Image from PennLive

Steelton, Pennsylvania (IINA) - More than one hundred people gathered Saturday for an open house at the Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg in Steelton, Pennsylvania, PA PennLive news reported.
The conversation on Saturday, held at the Steelton mosque along front street, followed the same narrative: a people of faith trying to debunk misconceptions and underscore not only the shared faith heritage but the commonalities. 
The event billed as an opportunity to "build bridges" brought together members of the region's Muslim community and non-Muslims from across government, academia and the community seeking to learn and understand one of the world's largest faith traditions.
One of about half a dozen speakers, Iftekar Hussain, a representative from the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), moderated a segment of the conversation on the current anti-Muslim rhetoric in the U.S.
Hussain said it was difficult to hear the voices of Muslims denouncing the violence and the terror because the American media simply does not cover it. "The media is not telling you about the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who denounce ISIS," Hussain said, answering a question from a member of the audience. The person asking the question - Joyce Davis, spokeswoman for the City of Harrisburg, said the American public generally wondered why there is no groundswell of outcry from the Muslim community against acts of terror.
"If 1.6 billion Muslims really believed in what ISIS says that all who are not Muslims should be killed, we wouldn't have a very safe world," Hussain said.
"Our goal was to open up a bit a community that is growing and settling into the American society and experience," said Atizaz Mansoor, a spokesman for the Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg. "I was hoping it would be a chance for us to meet our neighbors, to let them know about us and us to learn about them and in that process, to start to embed ourselves into this American quilt and become part of the local society and broader society and be a positive influence within it."
The gathering featured a wide breadth of topics - from a presentation on the tenets faith, the challenges of following that faith, especially for women and young people in this country and the overall challenges faced by all Muslims in the face of a minute percentage of adherents who continue to commit acts of terrorism in its name.
Dr. Munima Nasir, one of the speakers, expounded on the challenges for Muslim women in this country specifically because in addition to all the obstacles faced by women of all faiths gender discrimination and sexual harassment Muslim women had to contend with "dress code" discrimination. The hijab or headscarf worn by Muslim women often makes them the target of hostility and violence.
The hijab, she said, has mistakenly become a symbol of radicalization.
Nasir, a physician, urged the non-Muslim guests to understand that Muslim women are called to don the headscarf as a sign of modesty.
Despite the challenges, she said, Muslim women "continue to grow within their communities," and to thrive and serve in volunteer and outreach positions in the community.
Daniel Thompson, who plays in a volleyball league held at the Steelton mosque, said he has cultivated friendships with young Muslims and accepted the invitation to attend the open house to help build relationships.
"As a Christian, I'm sorry we are not inviting Muslims to our churches," Thompson said. "It's amazing for a group of Muslims to invite Christians to their place of worship. I 'm happy to have this opportunity to build bridges and relationships."
He said the volleyball - and sports in general helps to tear down the barriers between faiths.
"Having an event like this helps us find common ground. It's why we came," Thompson said.
SM/IINA

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