Muslims reach out

Triangle believers try to explain Islam to others in wake of recent controversies

Like many newcomers, Muslims who settled in the Triangle hoped for a life of peace and prosperity.

Few expected to become public relations specialists. But that's the role many have taken on in a quest to defend their faith.

It started with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and continued with the ongoing war in Iraq.

More recently, their diplomatic skills were put to the test when Mohammed Taheri-azar ran down some students in the heart of the UNC-Chapel Hill campus and said the Quran justified his actions.

In each instance, individual Muslims served as ambassadors of their faith, explaining how it had been misused by others. The Islamic Association of Raleigh has gained expertise in the public arena, working to improve understanding in the community. The association quickly called a press conference after the incident at UNC. Leaders condemned Taheri-azar's religious interpretation and said their faith prohibits violence against innocent people.

"When we first came we felt so comfortable here, we said 'Ahhh! This is what we were looking for,'" said Fiaz Fareed of Raleigh, a native of India. "We never thought we'd have to do our own research into the Quran."

On Saturday, the Islamic Center held an open house in response to the uproar over cartoon images of the Prophet Muhammad that were published in a Danish newspaper. For some, the open house provided yet another opportunity to engage non-Muslims. To prepare, leaders of the Islamic Center devoted three months to lectures and sermons on the Prophet Muhammad, long before most people had become aware of the cartoon controversy. The idea was to provide Muslims a refresher course on the man whose revelations ushered in the faith.

"Many people are too busy these days with their careers," said Ekram Haque, the chairman of the Islamic Association of Raleigh. "The Islamic Center thinks it's vital that they know what Islam teaches."

But explaining the faith has become a major preoccupation, even for Muslims who are not particularly religious.

Ayman Alqudwah, an engineer who lives in Raleigh, was never much interested in religion. He attends prayer services several times a year, but does not consider himself devout. Then the Danish cartoon controversy hit. After sensing that many Americans bought into the characterization of the prophet as a person who valorized warfare, Alqudwah felt he needed to defend the honor of a man he considers above reproach.

"It's my duty when I hear people talking about the Prophet in a negative manner to tell them who the Prophet was," Alqudwah said.

So when the open house was announced, Alqudwah gladly volunteered.

Inside the mosque

Saturday's event offered non-Muslims an opportunity to peek inside the Raleigh mosque, the largest in the region. On the basketball court, which doubles as a prayer hall, organizers set up tables, each devoted to a different theme of the Prophet Muhammad's life, including his message, his relationships with women, his relationships with non-Muslims. Brochures and books were laid out and a volunteer stood ready to answer questions. In the rear, a table was filled with Middle-Eastern food: hummus, tabouli, chicken kebabs, baklava.

Craig Breher of Raleigh wandered through the hall with his 6-year-old daughter, Lauren.

"I want her to understand at an early age it's OK to be different," said Breher, a Moravian who said he has a good friend who is Muslim.

At 4 p.m., the call to prayer was sounded. The hall quickly emptied as the Muslims gathered in a smaller space for a 10-minute devotion. Many non-Muslims took seats in the rear to watch. Later the Muslims returned to their tables and the din of conversation resumed.