Ramadan day 5 Masjid Al Islam

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 | Ramadan 5,
1433
Masjid Al Islam, 2604 S. Harwood, Dallas, TX
(214)
421-3839 Website:
www.MasjidAlIslam.org

A few pictures are in the link above

This is one of the two oldest
Mosques in Dallas established in 1968, the other one was on Baghdad street in
Grand Prairie, [a predecessor of the Richardson Mosque (Day 2)] another suburb
of Dallas/ Fort Worth.

Did you know that the first Muslim in the United
States to start the interfaith dialogue was Imam WD Muhammad? Did you
know the first man on the earth to start the interfaith dialogue was Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh)? Wherever I speak on Islam, I draw blanks on this question from
Muslims for God’s sake!

Imam Warith Deen is known as the America’s Imam
for his interfaith work. Thanks to him for the work, it is actively carried out
with the greatest enthusiasm. One of them was a series called what do the
Prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad mean to Jews, Christians and
Muslims. It was an enlightening program. I had asked Rabbi Stern to switch the
name from Moses to Muhammad, the anchors to the story are same, they way he
described them. We recognized Alexis and Marzuk Jaami for their interfaith work
at the Unity Day USA in 2009.

I speak at a few South Dallas Churches on
Pluralism and Islam, mainly African American ethnicity, one of them was the
Church of Living God and the other is Lifeway Church. The WD Muhammad Imams
have a strong fellowship and relationship with the Churches surrounding the
Mosques. I am perhaps the only non-African American Muslim that participates in
their programs. We talk about unity but need to practice and be a part of each
other. It is time to bring the change.

Two of the greatest
contributions of Imam Warith Deen Muhammad were the outreach/interfaith work and
transitioning nearly 1.5 Million Muslims from Nation of Islam to the mainstream
Sunni Islamic tradition some four decades ago, that is one massive conversion.
The African American Muslim constitute nearly 1/3 of Muslim in America, the
other 3rd is Subcontinentians and the rest re from different nations.
Currently 6 Million Americans are claimed to be Muslim, but really don’t know
how many, but that is the number quoted by everyone including President Obama,
and he is not a Muslim, but his father was. An idea that is difficult to
comprehend elsewhere in the world, but it happens in
America.

Nation of Islam is another
Muslim group of which Minister Louis Farrakhan is the Imam, he is known as
Minister Louis Farrakhan.

The Dallas Masjid started out
as Mosque on Forest Avenue around 1968. The current location at 2604 S. Harwood
in Dallas was purchased in April 1980 by Imam W. D. Muhammad. The dedication
ceremony was held in May, 1980 with Imam W. D. Muhammad
present.

The following brothers have
served as Imams at the Dallas Masjid of Al-Islam at the Harwood location: Imam
Qasim Ahmed (1979-1982), Imam Yahya Abdullah (1982-2001), Imam Muhammad Shakoor
(2001-2003) and the current Imam now serving is Imam Khalid Shaheed (June 27,
2004).

By the way, one of the first
Islamic schools was established in this building, the big house in the picture
next to Masjid is called Sister Clara Muhammad School, a fine institution of
learning.

I am blessed to have known all
the four Imams at this Majid, with fairly regular interactions. Two of them,
Imam Yahya and Imam Shakoor are pictured at this link – http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/07/dallas-interfaith-imams-and-ramadan.html

I
met Imam Qasim Ahmed a month ago at the Week end conference celebrating the life
of Imam Warith Deen Muhammad – Khalid Shaheed and Qasim Ahmed are in the picture
at, along with Imam Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci and Mike Ghouse
. Imam Larry Shariff is also the Imam at this Masjid. http://nabsites.net/demo/wd-muhammad-appreciation-week-in-dallas/

They follow the same tradition
as the Sunni and Ahmadiyya in terms of Salat and breaking fast rituals.

I have been to this Masjid
for Juma Prayers (different Mosque), this was my first time to visit this Mosque
for Iftaar, I called and left a message for Imam Yahya and Imam Larry Shariff…

The Masjid is closed; the
Iftaar is usually on the weekends. It was amazing to see the deserted streets
from 8 PM on wards. The Iftaar was at 8:36 PM.

I have to share this story.
The female dog in the picture was my only company for a while, I got out of the
car to take a picture of the Masjid, as the name board was hidden in the trees,
and she ran towards me, I jumped back into my van. She seemed harmless, but I
did not want to take the risk of getting bit and the hassle of the Rabies shot.
She followed me where ever I went… she must have a lot of puppies, as the milk
feeders were full.

Please mark your calendar for the Unity Day USA,
a positive event that brings all Americans Together to rededicate our pledge for
a peaceful, prosperous and secure America. We are a part of America and we need
to feel and live it. If you liked some of the article, you will like the
description of Unity Day USA at www.UnityDayUSA.com

A few other Articles to read
if you have the time:

http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2012/07/happy-ramadan-what-does-god-really-want.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to
doing his individual share of building cohesive societies and invites you to the
8th Annual Unity Day USA on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Details at www.UnitydayUSA.com, it’s an event that
builds bridges and uplifts every American.