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Wednesday 10 Feb 2016 - 11:39 Makkah mean time-1-5-1437
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Columbia County, Georgia, (IINA) - The Islamic Society of Augusta in USA is inviting the public to take part in the celebration of its 40th anniversary at a community event on Saturday, Columbia County News Times reported.
Dr. Nadeem Gill, president of the Islamic Society of Augusta, said the event is part of the organization’s 40th anniversary celebration, but it is also an effort to reach out to the greater Augusta area, to foster a better relationship with the public and to help others understand the deep connections the Muslim community has in this area.
“A lot of people don’t know that the Muslim community has been here a long time,” said Gill, an oncologist with the Cancer Care Institute – Carolina in Aiken.
Gill said that like himself, many of those of the Muslim faith who have settled in this area, are college-educated professionals, physicians, medical researchers, engineers and business owners who take pride in contributing to the community.
Gill, who came to the Augusta area in 1995 from Washington, D.C., chose Columbia County for the quality of life and the proximity to the Islamic center.
He and his wife raised four daughters, all graduates of Lakeside High School, who have gone to college and professional careers.
What began as an effort by five Muslim families to lay down roots in Augusta 40 years ago, has grown to a community of at least 400 families who worship at the Islamic center mosque, Gill said.
Saturday’s open house will feature tours of the Islamic center, educational displays and presentations on Islam and Islamic history, including the chance to see century’s old, hand-written copies of the Qur’an.
Also, visitors will be able to sample traditional foods from countries and cultures from around the world. Gill said the Islamic center now has members representing at least 35 different nations.
SM/IINA
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