Open Mosque Day in Montreal Attracts Many
"Women are respected, and considered to be a gift for our husbands,” she said of her conversion from Christianity at age 51. "I had never felt respect from men in my life (before converting), so that really appealed to me.”
Burke, 67, was among the people who welcomed dozens of curious visitors at the Masjid Khadijah Mosque on Centre St. in Pointe-St-Charles, Montreal, Canada, on Sunday. She said it saddens her that some believe Islam does not respect women.
"I feel sad that people feel this way,” she said, adding that it is her choice to wear a hijab every day. "In fact, I am not oppressed, it’s my husband who is oppressed. In a Muslim household, the women are the bosses.”
She said that misconception is one reason both Muslims and non-Muslims must do a better job of communicating with each other.
Communication was the aim of the 17th annual Open Mosque Day, where 14 mosques across Montreal opened their doors to the public Sunday to break bread and build bridges, but also to express condolences and support for the victims of the attack on a Quebec City mosque exactly two weeks prior.
Six people were killed and 19 injured Jan. 29 when a university student opened fire inside the mosque just after the last prayers of the day.
Only four days after the shooting, as the funeral for some of the victims was being held in Montreal, someone threw a brick through the window and vandalized the Pointe-St-Charles mosque, an incident Montreal police are investigating as a hate crime. On Friday, Sylvain Gingras, 50 was charged with mischief in relation to the incident.
Fazle Elahi Ahmad, of the Pointe-St-Charles mosque, said he was overwhelmed after the Quebec City shooting to receive so many emails and letters and phone calls from Quebecers expressing their condolences and solidarity with the community.
"We can’t ever get anything positive out of violence — now enough is enough,” Ahmad said. "We have to know each other and stay together and make a peaceful world.”
Among the visitors to the mosque Sunday was Avi Gross-Grand, an observant Jew who lives in the borough.
"I’m here to support members of the Abrahamic family in solidarity against these racist attacks,” Gross-Grand said. "I really appreciate the warmth that’s being offered by the Muslim community.”
Pointe-St-Charles resident Cynthia Hammond said she too was there to show her support.
"After the attack, I was horrified and devastated, and wanted to show my solidarity,” she said. "I am very happy that we are all here together. The religion has a very strong message of welcoming and peace.
"I was surprised that while I came here to express strength and support, I actually found strength and support from the community for the grief that I was feeling,” Hammond added. "And the food was really good.”
Salam Elmenyawi, president of the Muslim Council of Montreal, said people don’t have to wait for a special day to visit a mosque. They are always welcome to visit and ask questions.
"You know our mosques are always open for people to come and go,” Elmenyawi said. "This is something I’ve realized even more — the need for this dialogue after the Quebec City tragedy. Only through dialogue can we reflect and recognize our mistakes.”
In the past, the mosques have welcomed different religious leaders, Elmenyawi said, naming a few off the top of his head: Father John Walsh, Reverend Darryl Gray, Rabbi Michael Whiteman.
They have even served kosher food at the mosques.
And they have always received many visitors who come to send the message that they are connected to the community and have no reservations dealing with the Muslim community, he added.
Source: montrealgazette.com
