Celebrating 30 Years
of ISOC
A Pakistan Link Report
The Islamic Society
of Orange County (ISOC), one of the oldest institutions
in Southern California and indisputably one of the largest
in the US, celebrated thirty-years of its establishment
“with friends and founders” at the Knotts Berry
Farm Hotel on October 15.
A large number of Muslims, interfaith groups, and city,
FBI, Homeland Security officials converged on the hotel
to attend the soul-lifting Ramadan banquet marking the occasion.
A perusal of the four-page leaflet detailing the evening’s
program proved an edifying experience. Inter alia, it said:
“The masjid brings nothing but good, good of this
world and the Hereafter. In it Allah’s mercy descends,
and His forgiveness manifests. In it the hands of worshippers
are raised in supplication, and the hands of benefactors
outstretched in donation. In it, voices are raised in religious
chants and the hearts of youths come together in allegiance.
The Masjid is the Muslims’ oasis… So be on the
forefront of doing good, and continue participating with
us morally and financially in making these important projects
a reality.”
The leaflet also listed the ISOC expansion projects: Youth
Center, Social/Senior Center, High School, Pre-School Expansion,
and Street Additions and Parking Improvements.
The community’s response to these exhortations was
spontaneous and seemed to match a number of scintillating
speeches made on the occasion.
Dr Muzammil Siddiqi, Religious Director of ISOC, who is
adored by all and sundry, said, “We serve Muslims
in their religious needs and we also serve fellow Americans
so that they know what Islam is.” ISOC has served
as a unifying force for Muslims of all sects and races.
“Shias and Sunnis pray together at the mosque,”
the eminent religious scholar said, adding, “Sisters
are on our board and we have as much space for women as
for men.”
Pictures above: Glimpses of
the ISOC celebration |
In his remarks, Sheikh
Sadullah Khan, Director of ICOI, paid a glowing tribute
to the 30-year-old institute: “We gather our strength
and our roots from ISOC.” He added that ISOC was more
than a place of worship; it was “a home for those
who don’t have a home.” A symbol of Muslims
presence in the US, the mosque testifies that “we
are part of contemporary America.” Sadullah Khan paid
rich tributes to Dr Muzammil Siddiqi and said he had found
him a truly inspirational scholar. He added that he had
been greatly influence by two religious scholars –
Dr Fazlur Rehman Ansari and Dr Siddiqi.
The Consul General of Pakistan, Syed Ibne Abbas, also addressed
the gathering. He exhorted the audience “to get counted”
and participate actively in the forthcoming elections.
Speaking on the occasion, Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director
of CAIR-Southern California, said ISOC “had been an
anchor for Islam in America.” The Society has promoted
a positive image of our religion and has been the “incubator”
of several organizations of youth groups, students bodies,
mosques, and Islamic centers. ISOC indeed has made history
in the last 30 years.
He emphatically stated that Islam and the United States
are not at odds with each other and this explains why President
Bush has invited Dr Muzammil Siddiqi to Washington a number
of times . “The loving, caring Islam will prevail,”
Mr Ayloush remarked.
A video shown on the occasion revealed that ten thousand
people visit ISOC every week The Society offers many services:
it is a place of worship, a facilitator of healthy interfaith
ties, an educational institution, a mortuary, and a place
where marriages take place. It cultivates good relations
between Muslims and the City, Homeland Security, FBI, Police
and others. “It is a place where people can sit down
in happy times as well as sad times.” A student gleefully
remarked, “ISOC is like a big home.” The video
had an important message for the audience: Let’s make
it (and support ISOC) for another 30 years - for the sake
of our children.
Mr. Ismail Majoo, President of Masjid Al_Rahman, and Mr.
Ahmed Ali, former President of COPAA, introduced the community
guests. Radia Husain and Alam Akhtar served as moderators.
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