Peace will be the message at new mosque

With a new building, the goal is to bring youth together to work, play, collaborate and pray.

WEST GOSHEN » Like the other two dozen men in the room, I bowed down facing Mecca and said a silent prayer to God.

We had all removed our shoes, and most everyone else knelt on a mat on the carpeted floor.

As a reporter, I attended the Friday mandatory congregation prayer meeting of the Islamic Society of Chester County.

All over the world, millions of Muslims pray five times per day. A digital board at the local Mosque posted the following prayer times: 6:00 (Dawn, open eyes); 12:20 (Noon); 3:00 (Afternoon Tea Time); 5:45 (Dinner time); and 7:30 (Dusk, Close Eyes).

Bushra Qurshi is president of the Islamic Society and president of the Interfaith Committee. She said that Muslims receive exercise for the body and soul, while focusing on God, when bowing.

“We are not just going through the motions, your soul, everything should be attuned to God,” she said.

Much of the service was spoken in Arabic.

“We are reciting verses of the Koran,” Abdul Mughees Chaudhri, vice president of the ISCCPA board said, “as was taught by Prophet Mohammed. “Peace be upon him.” Ejaz A. Sabir gave the sermon during the 20-minute service.

“Faith alone is not enough,” Sabir said. He then listed four things needed for a Muslim’s success: faith; action; struggle; and perseverance. He reminded us to be patient and to avoid complaining because “you don’t realize how many blessings you have.”

“God, why me?” he asked, “How do we deal with other people?

The killing of 51 at mosques in New Zealand led this local house of prayer to change its ways. Now, the ISCCPA pays local West Goshen police for security on Fridays.

Mughees Chaudhri talked about having to take precautions due to Islamophobia.

“It’s strange times we are living in when we have to hire protection for outside a mosque, a synagogue or a church,” Mughees Chaudhri said.

In college, I took a Religious Studies course, ironically it was held in a church and a minister was the professor. We studied and read the Bible, Koran, the works of Confucius, and those of several other religions.

If there was one takeaway (and there were many) it was that most all religions teach the Golden Rule. It’s so simple.

So why all the hate directed at Muslims? I learned at the service that Muslims preach peace and harmony. And I didn’t expect to hear any differently.

It’s obviously not a religion itself that leads a very small minority to hurt. At the Mosque, I witnessed a strong, beneficial faith and brotherhood in action.

For 10 years the West Goshen Mosque has planned for growth. The current building likely was advertised in a Sear’s catalogue.

The campus for 300 worshippers sits on a seven acre site and the worship space is bursting at the seams. The number of worshippers is limited due to COVID.

With a new building, the goal is to bring youth together to work, play, collaborate and pray. Plans call for a full size basketball court, gym, ping-pong table, coffee lounge and places to do homework and hang out.

“It will be geared for youth to come and be connected at the Islamic Center—not just praying,” Mughees Chaudhri said.

At an expanded kitchen, food will be prepared to feed the needy. The upstairs will be set aside for prayer.

It’s nice to know that Chester County is diverse. There’s room for people of several faiths. Good luck with the building. Keep the faith.

For more, go to www.isccpa.org where you can find a phone number, PO Box address and more information.

BILL RETTEW — MEDIANEWS GROUP Bowing to Mecca while praying to God.

BILL RETTEW — MEDIANEWS GROUP Before bowing to Mecca at the local mosque, you remove your shoes.