Ramadan Day 1, Tuesday, July 9, 2013 | Ramadan 2, 1434
Richardson Mosque
811 Abrams Road, Richardson, TX 75080
www.Iant.com
(972) 231-5698
Imam: Dr. Imam Zia Kavakci
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Showing posts with label Richardson Mosque. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richardson Mosque. Show all posts
Monday, July 8, 2013
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Ramadan day 2 Richardson Mosque
Experiencing Ramadan
Tonight is the 2nd day of Ramadan, and
I went to the Richardson Mosque, my home Mosque (below) and the standard bearer
for North Texas Mosques. A majority of
the Mosques (Sunni tradition) more or less follow the traditions followed here.
This is the first “major” Mosque in North Texas and almost every Muslim who has
been in Dallas prior to turn of the century has been a part of this Mosque. Of
course we have over 35 Mosques and several Musallas (Mini-Mosques) in North
Texas; we have enough people to have one for every denomination.
The euphoria of Ramadan lends to the fellowship (Ramadan day 1) that we all desire and look forward to. It generates the same good feeling of kindness and piety that Christians feel during Christmas and Hindus during Navaratri, Jews during Rosh Hashanah and others during their festivals.
The best way to enjoy Ramadan is to go early to the Mosque, and I went way too early which lend me to talk with key people and of course, take pictures of the sanctuary for my friends. For my Muslim friends, I highlight the uniqueness of each denomination, much of which is cultural.
My first visit was with our Imam, Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci (more about him in the
links below) who and I have worked together on different occasions for almost
20 years from the Asian News days; he has been on my Radio show several times
in the Mid-Nineties. Our conversation is usually about intra-faith and interfaith
issues. In some of the most critical moments of my public life, he and Imam Zia
Shaikh of Irving have been great guides. There was a situation in 1996 and
again in 2005 at the Unity Day where we handled it fairly well. From time to time, he has appreciated my
approach that is free from the back-home-baggage.
As I was walking out of Imam Kavakci’s office, I
ran into my friend Brother Muhammad Suleman, he was the past president of the Islamic Center and president during the 9/11
crisis, he was also featured in High Profile in Dallas Morning News, a great
honor for our community. He and I have worked on many projects together
including two years on my Radio show, wisdom of religion (all the religions),
where he and I spent two years on Radio talking about Islam on every Friday
morning for an hour. Please say your get
well prayers for Mrs. Suleman who is in hospital today.
There was a senior citizen, who did not want to be pictured or named, but the
people in Richardson know him, he is probably in his seventies, but has the
energy of a young man and was managing the food serving and delivery very
effectively. He was literally running all over the place to ensure everything ran smoothly. Thanks to this unknown soldier.
The other lead volunteer (forgive me if there was another one) was Amir Omar, the Richardson City Councilman (pictured with a tray in his hand, clean shaven head). He is one of the four or five who made the trips from the counter to the tables delivering all that food in 20 minutes.
Today, he is one of the most popular council men in North Texas, because he is there
with every community volunteering his time generously. He is an example of how to be a fully participating and contributing member of the society. He
is a true representative of Richardsonians. He is on facebook as well, tag him and show you support.
Yunus Anthony, announced a gathering of new converts, and I regret not making it to that corner, but did talk to him, who was also at the Carrollton Mosque yesterday. I hope he and his group will serve as volunteers for the Unity Day event on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. God willing, I will be visiting Churches, Temples, Synagogues and other places of worship to find volunteer to represent every race, ethnicity and faith to be present at the Unity Day. www.UnitydayUSA.com
By the way years ago, Richardson Mosque started a Medical clinic to serve the
people who do not have insurance, it is for everyone, and people from all
faiths and traditions visit this clinic for care. I am proud of this clinic, where Muslims are
contributing to the well being of the overall society. Of course, there are
other initiatives and other clinics, and that will be expressed in a
different context.
Coming up; the Islamic village
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7bjh56GU-0&feature=player_embedded#!
Here are a few pieces I have written about Dr. Kavakci and others issues, I need to put together the work we did through MRRT, the Muslim Rapid Response Team in 2003 in responding to baseless allegations that the local media levied on the Imam and this Mosque. Thanks to Dallas Morning News for publishing it.
v Honoring Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci today
v There is only one Islam
v Are Muslims a part of the American society? http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-muslims-part-of-american-story.html
v A call from God to know each other
v Dallas Interfaith Imams
v Ramadan day 1, 2011
v A challenge to Muslims, are we fit to be
Americans
v Sharia Issues
Mike Ghouse is committed to doing his individual share
of building cohesive societies and invites you to the 8th Annual Unity Day USA
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Details at www.UnitydayUSA.com, it’s an event
that builds bridges and uplifts every American. Watch the trailer of the upcoming film - Americans Together, building a cohesive America at www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com
Please note that the Ramadan diary is written for our Muslim and non-Muslims friends alike, hence the language is un-typical. We will do our best to weave through references that our Christian, Hindu, Jewish and other friends can relate with. By the way, we have been talking (Radio) and writing about the essence of major festivities of all religions so we can understand each other. It is a call from God to learn about each other and know each other, when we do that, myths about others disappear, we open up to friendships without reserve or fear.
SATURDAY, JULY 21,
2012
Dallas Central Mosque, 840 Abrams Road,
Richardson, TX 75081
Website: www.Iant.com
Dallas Central Mosque, 840 Abrams Road,
Richardson, TX 75081
Website: www.Iant.com
- URL for this column: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2012/07/ramadan-day-2-richardson-mosque.html
- This Blog: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/
- 25 Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157630689409990/show/
- 2012 Ramadan Iftaar Schedule
http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-iftaar-schedule.html
 |
The euphoria of Ramadan lends to the fellowship (Ramadan day 1) that we all desire and look forward to. It generates the same good feeling of kindness and piety that Christians feel during Christmas and Hindus during Navaratri, Jews during Rosh Hashanah and others during their festivals.
The best way to enjoy Ramadan is to go early to the Mosque, and I went way too early which lend me to talk with key people and of course, take pictures of the sanctuary for my friends. For my Muslim friends, I highlight the uniqueness of each denomination, much of which is cultural.
 |
| Click to enlarge 25 pics in the link |
Richardson Mosque has been a home Mosque to me,
although I do not go there frequently, it feels home. For those living outside the United States, you may
find this as a news item that almost every Muslim (both male and female) drives
to the mosque; there are no separate residential areas where people of any
religion live exclusively. Even though
there is a trend for developing smaller neighborhoods around the Mosques, it
will not become the life style. In the long haul integration (not assimilation)
is essential for the overall good of individual communities and nation as a
whole.
 |
| Click to enlarge 25 pics in the link |
900, yes, Nine Hundred people were in the
community hall waiting for the Adhan (prayer call) to signify the time to break
the fast. In Jerusalem, they fire a gun into air to signify end of Suhoor (pre dawn meal) as well as Iftaar. I was held at the check point for Masjid Al-Aqsa by an Israeli guard, that is another story. In smaller mosques, people gather around as a groups and there will a
personal announcement (refer to day 1) to break the fast.
Take a look at the plates on the tables, a piece of Banana, three dates, a piece of water melon, a glass of milk and water. The plates were all set up for people to pick one and take their seat at the tables. Once again, that is 5 billion dates consumption across the world, today! Why dates? That is another story, I have written two years ago, but will re-incorporate when I see dates are flooded in some mosque this month. Each Mosque has evolved into its own practice.
After breaking the fast, the next call you hear is Aqama, fairly similar to the Adhan right before the congregational prayers. Anyone can lead the prayer, even though Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci is the imam (pastor, pundit, rabbi, shaman, clergy, minister), he designates one of his students from his academy to lead the prayers, and he has 60 Huffaz (plural for Hafiz, the one who memorizes the whole Quraan) in Dallas, and one of them is the world renowned one: Rashad Hussain the US Ambassador to OIC.
Take a look at the plates on the tables, a piece of Banana, three dates, a piece of water melon, a glass of milk and water. The plates were all set up for people to pick one and take their seat at the tables. Once again, that is 5 billion dates consumption across the world, today! Why dates? That is another story, I have written two years ago, but will re-incorporate when I see dates are flooded in some mosque this month. Each Mosque has evolved into its own practice.
After breaking the fast, the next call you hear is Aqama, fairly similar to the Adhan right before the congregational prayers. Anyone can lead the prayer, even though Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci is the imam (pastor, pundit, rabbi, shaman, clergy, minister), he designates one of his students from his academy to lead the prayers, and he has 60 Huffaz (plural for Hafiz, the one who memorizes the whole Quraan) in Dallas, and one of them is the world renowned one: Rashad Hussain the US Ambassador to OIC.
 |
| Click to enlarge 25 pics in the link |
We were back to the community hall for dinner, a
large open building that accommodates nearly 1000 seated in theater style. The hall is used for basket ball and other community activities including interfaith dinners. Nearly
five years ago, my late wife Najma’s funeral prayers were held here, the Fire
Marshall did not allow more than 2200 people, the capacity for the standing
room, that’s how Muslim funeral prayers are conducted; in standing posture. She left in peace and thanks
to our friends from every faith for participating in the prayers.
Serving dinner for 900 people is not easy! Mr. Waqar Qazi runs the Silver Spoon
restaurant and has become quite adept in handling catering to large
gatherings. There are a few pictures of
the kitchen where the volunteers formed an assembly line that beats Henry Ford’s
assembly line; they placed the food on the plate consisting of Salad, Rice,
lentil-veggies, and Chicken curry in healthy portions. About 6 plates were
placed on a tray and put on the counter... the volunteers grabbed the tray and
walked to each table, and delivered the food…. All in 20 minutes! Yes 20
Minutes! That is amazing accuracy!
 |
| Click to enlarge 25 pics in the link |
 |
| Click to enlarge 25 pics in the link |
The other lead volunteer (forgive me if there was another one) was Amir Omar, the Richardson City Councilman (pictured with a tray in his hand, clean shaven head). He is one of the four or five who made the trips from the counter to the tables delivering all that food in 20 minutes.
 |
| Click to enlarge pic -25 pics in link |
Yunus Anthony, announced a gathering of new converts, and I regret not making it to that corner, but did talk to him, who was also at the Carrollton Mosque yesterday. I hope he and his group will serve as volunteers for the Unity Day event on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. God willing, I will be visiting Churches, Temples, Synagogues and other places of worship to find volunteer to represent every race, ethnicity and faith to be present at the Unity Day. www.UnitydayUSA.com
Indeed, Richardson Mosque is an example of being
a part of the society, serving the society. I believe that is the purpose of a Mosque, a community center. More about the Mosque at www.Iant.com
Here are a few pieces I have written about Dr. Kavakci and others issues, I need to put together the work we did through MRRT, the Muslim Rapid Response Team in 2003 in responding to baseless allegations that the local media levied on the Imam and this Mosque. Thanks to Dallas Morning News for publishing it.
v Honoring Imam Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci today
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/04/honoring-imam-dr-yusuf-zia-kavakci.html
v There is only one Islam
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/04/there-is-only-one-islam.html
v Are Muslims a part of the American society? http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-muslims-part-of-american-story.html
v A call from God to know each other
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/01/mission-of-world-muslim-congress.html
v Dallas Interfaith Imams
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/07/dallas-interfaith-imams-and-ramadan.html
v Ramadan day 1, 2011
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-1-of-ramadan-2011.html
v A challenge to Muslims, are we fit to be
Americans
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-challenge-to-muslims-are-we-fit-to.html
v Sharia Issues
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2011/07/sharia-issues-in-2012-and-solutions.html
v Facebook - You are welcome to visit my my facebook page: www.facebook.com/SpeakerMikeGhouse the others has reached the maximum of 5000 friends - -
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