Thousands of Muslims Celebrate Eid Al-ADHA in US

Thousands of Muslims Celebrate Eid Al-Adha in US
Barbara Ferguson
Arab News
WASHINGTON, 22 January 2005 — In the US, Eid Al-Adha was overshadowed by President Bush’s inauguration Thursday. But at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center thousands of worshippers gathered to celebrate one of Islam’s holiest days. The mosque, one of the largest in the Washington region, sits quietly behind tall Cyprus trees off a busy highway. But yesterday, 12 policemen were on hand to direct traffic and keep it flowing.
Dar Al-Hijrah’s Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, director of the Outreach Program, met Arab News yesterday to facilitate meeting some of the mosque’s members, after prayer. During prayers, this correspondent sat in the ladies’ section, where some women volunteered to help her retie her scarf, which had slipped revealing some hair. Another woman approached, saying: “Will you please pray with us?” After prayer, an American Muslim, named Aisha, came forward to introduce herself. “I’ve just moved from the West Coast,” she said, “and I’m looking to meet other Anglo-Muslims.”
Aisha said she converted to Islam 21 years ago, when she married an Iraqi. “I’ve never lived on the East Coast before. There’s a big Muslim American community in Seattle, with more American Muslim women converts. It’s a very nice community that’s well-integrated, I feel more comfortable there than here,” said Aisha, who works at art museums in Washington, DC.
She said she comes here to meet other American Muslim women who understand the Arab culture, and who share similar values. “Someone to speak to, who will understand,” she said. The conflict in Iraq “contributed to the breakdown of our marriage,” with her former Iraqi husband. But she recently decided to marry another Muslim, a Pakistani. “I’m still a bride,” she said, smiling.
Although it’s hard for her to get away from work on Fridays, she managed to get away for Eid. “Muslims are requested to pray on this day, which is why I came.” It’s nice when everyone gathers together.”
Hoda, who emigrated from Syria five years ago, said she also came to pray with other Muslims. With her two daughters clasping at her, she said: “I prayed our family will be happy, and for goodness in our lives, and in the lives of others.” She encountered no problems since 9/11. “Everyone is very nice where we live. I think that if a person tries to be nice, people are nice in return.”
Asli Amin, an American Muslim who lives locally, works as an account technician at National Airport, and also volunteers at the mosque’s school office. Asked if wearing a hijab at work causes problems, Asli said: “Some passengers have a little problem with me when they see me, they may look twice. They don’t think I’m American.” But if someone makes a comment to her, she said other people “immediately come up to say they’re so sorry and that I shouldn’t pay attention to someone who was rude to me. The airport authorities have been very kind to me.”
Nadifa Mohamed, of Somalian origin, works in the school off of Dar Al-Hijrah. “The most important message we try to give the children here is to know who they are, and to be able to defend themselves against the people who are ignorant and call us terrorists,” said Nadifa. “If they know their ‘deen’ (religion) they will be able to respond by giving a clear message about who we really are, and not the kind of people the media here describes us to be.”
Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, who ushered Arab News into the director’s office to meet Muslim men after prayers spoke of the “team approach” at the mosque. “The resident imam is a Muslim scholar in Shariah law. I’m the director of Outreach.”
Having an American at the mosque who understands the American mentality and can deal with non-Muslims is vital, he said. “It’s important that there’s an American at the mosque to speak with media, to defend Islam who can talk about the rights of Muslims. It would be difficult for us if we had an imam who didn’t understand the process here,” said Imam Johari.
Asked about his prayers at Eid, he said: “I prayed to strengthen Muslims in this time of difficulties and to let them be proud that they are a living example of how people can live together, despite different ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds.”