Islamic Center of Daytona Beach to open its door to public on Saturday

Sunday 10 Apr 2016 - 11:57 Makkah mean time-3-7-1437

Sheliza Bhola, from left, Linda McGee, Lubna Nisa, Bernadette Ramsey talk with Imam Belal Alzuhiry on Thursday about the upcoming Community Outreach Program. Image from The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Daytona Beach City, Florida (IINA) - The Islamic Center of Daytona Beach will open its doors to public from noon until 5 p.m. next Saturday, as part of its annual community outreach program, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
The community day is organized by the Muslim Women’s Association of Daytona Beach Inc.
There’s plenty to do for the younger generation with face painting, basketball shoot, a Disney’s "Frozen"-themed bounce house inflatable, a 25-foot rock-climbing wall, 25-foot bungee jump, 70-foot inflatable slide and a giant tricycle race course.
But it is not all about the wee folks. There is fun for adults such as African drummers, Muslim Women's Association Chairwomen Linda McGee said.
“We are offering 40 homemade dishes from around the world — lamb, chicken, rice with foods from Pakistan, Africa, Yemen, and of course there will be barbecue and mac and cheese, American dishes,” she said. “We are very diverse and have Muslim members from all over the world and the food will reflect those countries. And, it is all free.”
“This is a taste of Islam through our delicious culture from around the world,” she said. “We will also have our signature hot tea with the flavor Muslims are famous for. It has fresh mint in it. It is delicious.”
The annual event is one of many activities the women’s group is involved in. Others include feeding programs for the needy, back-to-school supplies and Coats for Kids drives, an animal shelter feeding program and hospital care baskets to name a few.
Imam Belal Alzuhiry of the Islamic Center of Daytona Beach stated the meaning of that Arabic word in a gentle voice but with conviction: “One nation, one community, one family.”
And it is not simply a word for the religious leader, either. It is a way of life he embraces and preaches to his followers at the mosque.
“It is a positive way to bridge understanding with others in our community,” Alzuhiry said. “Our objective is that we know each other. We want people to have a better understanding of the religion of Islam.”
Hussam Reziqa, president of the Islamic Center of Daytona Beach, also sees the benefits of the religious and cultural exchange event.
“We are happy and excited to have programs, to have open dialog with our community,” he said. “It gives them a chance to ask us questions and to get answers. The crowd grows each year. We are doing something right.”
The day starts with a keynote speech by Alzuhiry, followed by an interactive Q&A to answer "curiosities and concerns" fielded by the community about the center and its beliefs.
“With all that is going on in the media, people see what is happening (with terrorism) in other parts of the world and many use the same brush to paint all Muslims,” Alzuhiry said. “This is a way to educate people and for them to understand the religion of Islam and who we are.”
“Women play an important part in the Islamic religion,” the imam said. “Men and women are equal in the eyes of God and share rights and responsibilities. They are very active in our Islamic center.”
The center also has a summer day camp program with breakfast, lunch and snacks provided, and plenty of volunteers to help out.
“We even take them on field trips. It is a free program,” organizer Bernadette Ramsey said.
Organizers agreed that one of the important lessons to be learned is generosity, a value taught by the Holy Qur’an.
SM/IINA

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