A Sheffield mosque opened its doors last Saturday to welcome non-Muslim neighbors in conjunction with Interfaith Week 2019 to dispel fears and correct misconceptions about Islam, The Star reported.
“It’s arguably more important than ever that people of different faiths and beliefs come together and are able to explore what they have in common,” the chair of South Yorkshire Islamic Society of Britain, Abdool Kadir Gooljar said.
“Pope Francis repeated his appeal for people to build bridges of understanding at his weekly audience at the Vatican. Let’s build a bridge to a new day paved in kindness and respect for others, and then cross it together,” he added.
Markazi Jamia Mosque on Industry Road, Darnall welcomed members of the public of different faiths to their doorsteps last Saturday.
The event came in conjunction with Interfaith Week 2019. The event took place from November 11-15, when ten different faith and belief groups opened their doors to the community.
Praise
Attending the event, representatives of other faiths praised Muslims for their efforts to reach out to the other.
“It is the most significant to help people to live with diversity and like the words of holy Quran that it is God’s own purpose that we are different so will be enriched by each other differences,” Dr. Rev. Inderjit Bhogal OBE, a leading Theologian, and Methodist Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Andrew Coombe praised the Muslim community for their generosity and kindness in times of disaster.
He said this was evident during his recent visit to Fishlake, a flood-stricken village in Doncaster that saw thousands evacuated from their homes.
“I was in Fishlake on Friday, I went to the church there and I’ve never seen a church put in such good use (to help the victims). It was all being run by a churchwarden and his wife and some of their friends, who I can consider as senior citizens.
“So I asked, where’s your help coming from? They said, it’s coming from everywhere and three people from a mosque in Bolton just delivered 200 freshly made sandwiches and hot food and they’re coming back tomorrow.
“It’s a marvelous gesture from people of your community who came there and helped so soon,” he said.
Opening Doors
Muslims across the world usually open mosque doors to guests to enable them to have a glimpse of the Islamic faith.
For example, Visit My Mosque Day is held annually in a number of countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, and France.
About 250 mosques participated in this year’s event held last February, seeing growth from 200 mosques in 2018 and 150 mosques in 2017.