El Paso mosque opens doors to borderland
It was a small crowd at the Islamic Center of El Paso during their annual open House, when the Mosque invites members of all faiths from the borderland to go and learn about Islam. Holding Q&A sessions with visitors, organizers hoped this would bring a greater understanding between religions.
“When you serve, you don’t have to serve the Muslim only, you serve everyone. So when there is a problem with the homeless, for example, it is the responsibility for everyone,. It is not just the responsibility for the government, or the Christian, or the Muslim, it’s for everyone,” said Yehia Ibrahim, an assistant imam at the mosque.
The visitors were invited inside to witness evening prayer as the faithful knelt facing Mecca. They weren’t looking to convert, but to build on those ties already set with people sharing the base of their faith.
“Anyone who submits to the creator, like Abraham, or like Jesus, otr like David or Solomon they are in this path. The path to worship the one who created you, who will hold you accountable and will judge you in the real judgement,” Ibrahim said.
The small group of visitors stayed, getting tours of the mosque and asking questions with organizers answering them and hoping for a bigger turnout next year
“We would like to see all the people from the northeast, all the people from the west side, all the people from central, coming out to fellowship and to get together and get to know what Islam is really about. It truly will be a blessing,” said Abbas Brown, an El Paso Muslim.
Organisers said they’ll be hosting the next open house around this time next year.
