By dint of persistence by Muslims, activists and clergy of other faiths, the city of Warren’s first mosque opens Friday after years of fits and starts.
A strong push by local religious leaders, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Bahais, Hindis, Sikhs and others, helped win the day against local resistance to the mosque.
Leaders for the Islamic Organization of America faced a no vote at their first hearing last year before the Planning Commission. They were asked to prove that they did not have ties to terrorist organizations. Some intolerant words were uttered, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice to send representatives to the next meeting.
Months later, a drunk accosted the leader of the mosque in the parking lot. Then someone splashed paint on the back wall, in one of a series of recent incidents of vandalism at local mosques.
But as local Muslims busy themselves preparing for the opening, they and others say more Warren residents seem to be coming to an understanding of the Islam in their midst.
“I think that people have a tendency to be somewhat anxious about what they don’t know,” said Joseph Munem, communications director for the city. “And, actually, we have had an ongoing dialogue about the mosque. Imam Steve Elturk is committed to the notion of educating non- Muslims about Islam.
“I think that with the incessant media attention to terrorism that people tend to use terrorism and Islam rather interchangeably, and I think that is creating some of the misunderstanding here,” Munem said. “We support Mr. Elturk’s efforts to disabuse people of that notion.”
The first prayers are said in the new mosque on Friday, May 25 at 1:10 p.m. There will be an open house for the community at 3:30 p.m. Thereafter, Mayor Mark Steenbergh and other dignitaries, including U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, or members of her staff, and local residents will attend a grand opening at 5 p.m.
Sources:
Gregg Krupa, “Joint resolve gets mosque open” The Detroit News May 24, 2007
Dan Cortez, “Warren’s first mosque to open May 25” Detroit Free Press May 9, 2007
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