LI Muslim centers welcome visitors at open houses

Long Island mosques are welcoming people of all faiths this week as Muslim houses of worship across the country throw open their doors.

The "week of dialogue" and open houses were ideas that came out of a Muslim summit last month in New York City amid controversy over the planned Islamic center near Ground Zero.

"We are hoping that relations will improve and the stereotyping against Muslims will be less," said Dr. Hafiz Rehman, a pediatrician and board member of the Muslim Center of Long Island in Bay Shore.

"We are law-abiding citizens. We are very cordial. We invite you to our houses of worship. We are brotherly and welcoming."

The center is one of more than a dozen mosques on Long Island and in New York City that plan to participate in open houses and events through Sunday.

Some mosques have held open houses in the past, but this is the first time they've been organized on a metropolitan and national level, said Zaheer Uddin, executive director of the Islamic Leadership Council of New York. The council, which is helping organize the dialogues, includes mosques and Islamic organizations in New York City.

"We expect these open houses will narrow the gap of misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims in the city and country, bring communities closer, and in the future people will work for the common good," Uddin said in an e-mail.

Events will include tours, lectures, question-and-answer sessions and refreshments.

On Wednesday, the public is invited to a luncheon and tour of the Bay Shore Muslim Center at noon. Rehman said they expect state and local politicians and members of Congress to attend.

An interfaith, anti-bias task force will also meet at the center. On Friday, visitors can observe the prayer service.

"We'll explain how the service takes place," Rehman said.

Other participating Long Island mosques include Masjid Allahu Akbar in Wyandanch, the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury and the Long Island Muslim Society in East Meadow.

"Anybody wants to come, wants to see, wants to know, it's OK with us," said Mohammed Rafiqur Rahman, president of the East Meadow society.

"Whatever they wish to know, we will try to share knowledge."