Brookland Mosque Serves Area Muslims

 BY FARKHUNDA ALI

On Friday afternoons, hundreds of men and women enter a place of worship on 18th Street NE between Lawrence and Monroe Streets. Masjid Ahlul Quran Wal Hadith is a mosque which serves people of the Islamic faith in the Metropolitan Area. The Arabic name of the Mosque means “people of the Quran (Book of the Muslims) and the Hadith (Prophetic Traditions).”

The Mosque is open seven days a week for the five daily prayers. The center also provides marriage counseling, Arabic classes, lectures on Islamic jurisprudence related to family life, creed, counseling and support services.

Mosque officials said they offer an extensive support network for getting ex-convicts acclimated into society as law-abiding and working citizens. The center welcomes all people who are willing to learn about Orthodox Islam.

Masjid Ahlul Quran Wal Hadith was established in D.C. in 1996 and moved to Brookland in 2002. The current leader of the center is qualified in secular and Islamic studies. The goal of the center is to teach authentic Islamic teachings that Muslims are able to practice in their daily lives.

According to Aqil Ingram, director of the center, the greatest challenge is being able to combat the perception of Muslims presented in the media. He said the problem is caused by the puzzling images of Muslims. He said the media seems to portray a “moderate” view of Islam that the media finds acceptable, but this makes it difficult for people to distinguish “teachings of Orthodox Islam” and “beliefs of terrorists.”

“For outsiders, it is difficult to distinguish between Islam and extremists,” said Mr. Ingram.

Mr. Ingram said the center speaks against any form of terrorism. Nevertheless, he said members have been mistaken for people who practice “extremism.” He said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) visited the center several times to investigate their daily activities. Mr. Ingram said there were no questionable concerns documented about the center. He said Mosque officials maintain a cordial relationship with law enforcement and continue to hold conferences speaking against any form of “aggression in religion.”

Mr. Ingram said another challenge is being able to distinguish “extremism” from untainted Islamic teachings. “Extremism is when an individual takes the correct understanding and practice of Islam or any other faith and then goes beyond what the faith teaches in order to fulfill a personal agenda,” said Mr. Ingram.

He said people of any faith may use religion to accomplish political agendas. Mr. Ingram believes this type of individual is trying to fulfill a void in life. “Terrorism and extremism have nothing to do with Islam,” he said.

According to Mr. Ingram, the organization tries to uphold the teachings of peace, forgiveness, charity, and kindness. Periodically, the center collaborates with New Beginnings, an organization which feeds the homeless. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the Mosque opens its doors every evening to share a meal at sunset with all community members who join them. This communion of breaking their daily fast is one of the ways the center teaches the importance of community.

“I am happy to be in the Brookland community,” said Mr. Ingram. He said people in the D.C. Metro Area are yearning to gain knowledge with a receptive heart. “I see a bright opportunity to invite people to Islam here,” he added.