Minnesota Church Opens Doors for Muslim Community
Now, the two are coming together again--this time to raise money for a new building for the Islamic Center.
A dinner, which will be held at the church's Winona location, aims to raise
money for renovations for a new building. Previous fundraisers were not enough
to cover renovation costs and the Islamic center hopes it will raise enough
money for the new place it will call home.
Members of the Islamic center say they were shocked when they first learned
about the fire.
"It was really really sad to see a beautiful building, so nice, that was
all ruined," said Hamid Quraishi, a religious affairs director with the
center.
The aftermath of the fire left members of the Islamic Center wondering how they
would be able to move forward.
"I stood there and watched the building burn down, watched the building
being torn down, and it was like losing a son or a daughter," said Ahmed
El-Afandi, trustee of the Islamic center.
But when a familiar neighbor learned about the fire, they decided to step in
and help.
"The important thing is we come together as a community of faith,
regardless of how you call your god," said Steve Bachler, the church's
council member.
The church opened its doors and allowed a struggling group of people a place to
practice their religion.
"We're all just trying to help each other out, and this is a good
opportunity for people to meet Muslims and realize they're just like them, they
have the same kinds of issues," said Bachler.
And along with the Church's help, the Islamic Center is also thankful for one
person in particular.
"A Jewish friend, who handed me the first check as a donation," said
El-Afandi.
Students from Winona State's Muslim Students Association, also say they are
overwhelmed with support.
"I'm coming from Pakistan and we have never experienced two religions
coming together, they helping us and we helping them, everyone has been really
really cooperative," said Waheed Khan, MSA's president.
"We are very thankful for everyone that extended their arms, not just their
hands," said El-Afandi.
Source: News8000
