– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Bengaluru, Feb. 22: ‘For the first time I have entered a Masjid and it’s a very pleasant experience,’ was the common expression of most of the people who visited Bilal Masjid on Banerghtta Road here. People of all faiths were invited to have first-hand information about the activities that take place in the Masjid.
Apart from personal invitations extended to neighbours and friends, invitations were sent through bills in newspapers and announcements in today’s engagement columns of the dailies.
People were left free to go around the Masjid and even provided with a chance to observe how the Namaz is performed in congregation. Earlier the performance of ablution at the prescribed place was also witnessed by them.
Many of the women wondered at their presence in the sacred place which they had never expected of.
An exhibition was organized on the premises wherein charts depicting fundamental teachings of Islam, old Quranic Scripts, audio files of Quran recitation and experience Hijab stalls were put up.
Interactive sessions for the visitors were much helpful in understanding Islam, Quran and Prophet Muhammad. Women in particular posed different questions about Islam and Masjid, the call given from here five times daily.
A Book Stall was a feast for book lovers, which had books in all the southern languages – Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam apart from Hindi and English. It was a carry-home message virtually. Most of the people were keen to obtain the Quran with translation in their mother tongue. Around eight hundred people visited the stall and the Masjid as well.
Village Masjid
Gangatta, a hamlet near Kolar has only one Masjid but none of the non-Muslims had ever stepped in so far. Almost the entire village turned up, when invited for the inauguration of the renovated Noorani Masjid. It was like a village festival for them.
A separate session was held for the fellow countrymen wherein they were briefed about activities like Adhan, Namaz, Juma Sermon, Quranic classes for kids, etc. The important role a Masjid plays in eradication of evils in the society, and promotion of brotherhood through Juma sermon was explained to them. How the belief in one God and accountability before Him in the life after death can change the character of a person was impressed upon.
The session was followed by lunch.
Coastal Town Masjid
It was a pleasant surprise for the fellow countrymen of Baindur town in Udupi district of coastal Karnataka. They couldn’t believe what they saw on banners across the town “Visit My Town Masjid.” Most of the people had come with their entire families.
Right from ablution to Adhan and congregational prayer and Juma sermon were explained to the visitors.
A ‘Mehndi Counter’ was a special attraction for the ladies where the host women applied Mehndi on their palms with beautiful designs. In a postcard size glazed paper visitors’ names were written in Arabic calligraphy and gifted to them.
People were quite emotional when they were asked about their impressions of the visit. Many of the misgivings due to propaganda evaporated into thin air, said a local youth activist.
The local units of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind conducted these programmes last weekend.
