Evergreen Mosque

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

“It is important for everyone to gain knowledge but it is incumbent upon all Muslims to be conversant with religious besides worldly knowledge. As a matter of fact there is no demarcation between the two,  only if one determines to plunge into the ocean of knowledge for the sake of fulfilling a religious obligation,” announced the thirty years old Imam during Friday prayer's sermon.

The gentleman was a part-time Imam and he earned livelihood teaching physics in a nearby university.

"Everyone understands energy is equivalent to mass multiplied by gravity but the ramifications will be of course different for a PhD and O level student.

Similarly understanding of the religion will be different for people with different backgrounds and understanding.

The power of knowledge found answers to the problems of yesterday, can solve the challenges of today and will be supreme in finding solutions to the tribulations of tomorrow," uttered the jeans-clad Imam sporting a simple kurta and black-coloured carved cap.

He had a prepared speech in his hands and his face beamed energy behind a short black shrubby beard. No rhetoric — he delivered his carefully drafted speech with full conviction and in a low tone.

He was impromptu quoting extensively from the Quran and Hadees with references besides reading from the speech.

He started at one and finished exactly at one-thirty, and for thirty minutes he had a spell bound audience, not due to the theatrical utterance but due to the profundity of the content of his sermon.

He was unassuming and cited relevant examples from the prevailing American culture. The ease with which his youthful face would melt in smile defied of him being a dry humorless person.

Though we had the choice of going to Hayword or nearby Adventon mosque in Bay Area in the north of California, Dr Najeeb invited me to pray with him in Evergreen mosque - thirty miles away in a small locality called Evergreen.

The makeshift mosque sits in a large three acre plot with a large parking lot on the descent of a green hill. With beautiful green gentle mountains in the surroundings, the single storied mosque without a minaret and dome, merged into the scenery imperceptibly.

It had a small hall which could take six to seven rows of ten to twelve persons. There was an adjoining hall for ladies and separate area for looking after infants.

The sound system catered for both areas but strictly inside the building. There were young and old among the devotees, mostly clad in sports coat and trousers without a tie. They hailed from different continents of the world and the only binding force between them was Islam.

"This is for the first time in the history of Bay area - USA that we could raise more than a million dollars in one night for a new mosque," the first PhD doctor of biomedical engineering - Dr Najeeb informed me.

After the prayers people started asking questions about the project and the reasons behind the delay.

Someone mentioned paucity of funds and he quoted the example of a New York mosque where money poured in as the structure got ready.

Muslims from all four corners who have settled in USA have become conscious of their identity and are very keen to build mosques. As of today there are hundreds mosques in USA and Europe.

'Sunday school' has become an integral part of the American Muslim culture. Children born and raised in Europe and America find it difficult to relate to their religion, which they have to defend in their schools and at times in social gatherings.

Run on self-finance basis, housed in mosques and sometimes in rented halls, they offer religious education and emphasises on Quran reading and understanding.

Regular lectures are delivered on social aspects of the religion. Girls put on scarves and it offers a good platform for interaction. Parents get together and draw plans for outdoor events for more understanding among Muslim families. 

Mosque becomes the hub of activities during Ramazan. With no azaans of Maghrib prayers echoing in the skies, they contend with getting together for Iftar and celebrating it.

Many people offer to host iftaries and youngsters take upon themselves to arrange lavish Iftar parties while the elders reminisce the past and Iftars of back home.

Most mosques invite special Hafiz-i-Quran to lead Taraveehs and organise regular 'Darse Quran'.

Had it not been for these mosques, the fervour and zeal for Ramazan and Taraveeh would have died down in USA.

In case of a death, the organising committee of the mosque plays a very important role that is normally performed by close relatives back home.

They organise for extensive documentation that follows a death and is necessary before the burial. They offer generous help and take care of the body, coffin and burial.

They have reserved places for burial in specially designated Muslim graveyards and coordinate with other mosques.

Some people prefer to have Qul in the mosque and it becomes easier for the bereaved family to host the guests plus provide parking area. Mosques have to abide by strict rules framed by the council.

Mosques in the West are a uniting force and a source of learning and education for all. Though it has a bigger role than just a praying area, its responsibility in social life has to grow more and it should be able to support the under privileged people and extend help to those in need.

Moreover it has to play an important part in the character building of the youngsters by presenting role models and offer religious information in a palatable form.