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Over the last few days, the nation has been in mourning over the deaths of 13 soldiers at Ft. Hood. Maj. Hasan has been the focal point of the media coverage, as analysts have tried to discern his motive for the brutal attack. Some have suggested that his relationship with a now extremist imam, Mr. Al-Awlaki, might have led Maj. Hassan to adopt a violent and intolerant view of Islam. Major Hassan first interacted his Mr. Al-Awlaki during the imam’s brief stint of employment at the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, VA.
By coincidence, we visited Dar Al-Hijrah two weeks ago. My experience at the center revealed a community of Muslims that in every respect rejects Mr. Al-Awlaki’s violent and intolerant views. Though a Christian, I felt fully embraced and appreciated from the moment I entered the mosque. (Click here for a statement from Dar Al-Hijrah condemning the attack at Ft. Hood and denouncing Mr. Al-Awlaki’s interpretation of Islam).
We arrived at Dar Al-Hijrah just before noon on October 29, 2009. As we approached the building, I was struck by its architectural intricacy. The center itself was beautiful, with archways over the entrance covered in Arabic writing. Translated, the phrase above the entrance welcomed all “people of the book,” Jews and Christians alike. So as we walked under the archways, I thought to myself, I’m welcomed here!
Armed with the message of those Arabic words, we walked into Imam Johari’s office. Rizwaan (Buxton’s Muslim Fellow) walked up to him and gave him a friendly handshake and I, of course, followed suit. Imam Johari hesitated and then quickly shook my hand lightly. He then, quite graciously, explained that many Muslim men – himself included – do not typically shake hands with women. I recovered by stumbling through an apology, although he reassured me that my error wasn’t great cause for concern; it actually offered him a great teaching moment.
Imam Johari is not the lead Imam of the mosque; rather, he focuses more on education and serving as liaison to the outside community. During the first part of our meeting, he shared with us his vision for helping non-Muslims understand and interact better with members of the Islamic center and the American Islamic community generally.
A little later in our visit, he gave a tour of the center to a 5th grade class from Sidwell Friends School, explaining the principles of Islam as he went along. In the same gentle and firm way he corrected my misguided handshake, Imam Johari’s speech was filled with both grace and wisdom as he explained Islamic practices and doctrine to the young, inquisitive students.
Embracing People of the Book
My greeting faux pas wasn’t the only teaching moment of the day. Rizwaan, Sarah, and I were invited to stay for afternoon prayer. When Sarah and I walked into the women’s prayer room, the eyes of the women were focused only on my bare calves. When they knelt to pray to Allah, I prayed for the floor to open up and swallow me whole. Or, to at least swallow my legs!
At the end of the prayer, Imam Johari took the microphone and explained that Riz, Sarah, and I were visiting from an organization that also seeks reconciliation among Muslims and other faiths. After his quick two minute spiel, all of the women that had been staring at my legs finally looked up at our faces, rushed over to us, and literally embraced us in huge hugs and kisses on our faces. Most of them could only tell us in broken English how glad they were we had come. Some of them were initially excited we might be converting to Islam and even though we would firmly answer, “No, we are Jewish and Christian”, they never stopped hugging and thanking us. I finally understood the meaning of the Arabic phrase above the archway entrance welcoming “people of the book.” Though our apparel was less than appropriate, these women embraced us. We were told to come back soon, and I look forward to getting to know them better.
Visit Dar Al Hijrah
In the wake of the tragedy at Ft. Hood, I hope and pray that more non-Muslim Americans will have opportunities to visit mosques and Islamic centers. If my experience is any indicator, I think you’ll find a very welcoming and warm environment. They too will be mourning the deaths of their fellow Americans.
If you are in the D.C. area and would like to visit Dar Al Hijrah, please contact Imam Johari Abdul Malik at Communications@daralhijrah.net, or call (202) 345-5233.
Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center
3159 Row Street NW
Falls Church, VA 22044
Tags: Al-Awlaki, Dar al Hijrah, Ft. Hood, Imam Johari, mosque visit, Nidal Malik Hasan, people of the book, Sidwell Friends School
Thanks for the encouraging post. I spend a lot of time in the Falls Church area, and I’ll be sure to go visit Dar Al-Hijrah.
We have a muslim exchange student living with us and take him to Dar al-Hijrah for prayers. I’m a Christian woman; the folks I’ve met have been wonderful and friendly. I give hugs/handshakes and no one has corrected me, so I appreciate your insight. The mosque is one of a few in the DC area; it can hold 1,000 people for one service… and they offer 3 Friday afternoon services. It’s sad they’ve received such an ugly label for all the positive things they do.
Blake,
If you still haven’t had the chance to go, I’d love to go with you brother!
It seems odd to me that while you spend all this time worrying about how the women stared at your bare legs and that you somehow consider this a faux pas when if they were really open to you they would NOT have made you feel conspicous in any way. Acceptance comes in ALL ways. Shame you also didn’t take offense for all teh people NOT ‘of the book’ that these people clearly reject and consider unwelcome by only welcoming the ‘people of the book’. They should simply welcome anyone. Just more PC baloney and you are buying it.
DBrown,
I think the point that the article is trying to make is the women accepted and even embraced Teryn in spite of the fact that she was violating a tradition common to most mosques (not wearing a skirt during prayer). Similarly, if I walked into a church shirtless and barefoot, a lot of heads would turn. As to your second point about people of the book, I don’t think that welcoming “people of the book” is necessarily an indication that people who fall outside that characterization would feel unwelcome at Dar Al-Hijrah. My guess is that just about anyone would feel comfortable there; I’d encourage you to visit.