Mosque, synagogue &Christian church build together
Jan 30, 2012 15:22:05 GMT -5
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 30, 2012 15:22:05 GMT -5
Could Lodi faiths share worship space?
Mosque, synagogue and Christian church to build together in Nebraska
Posted: Saturday, January 28, 2012 12:00 am | Updated: 6:23 am, Sat Jan 28, 2012.
By Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel Staff Writer | 0 comments
The nearly 19-acre California Islamic Center site on Lower Sacramento Road has room for a church of another faith to set up shop on the same property, a move that could foster understanding between members of the Muslim and Christian faiths.
"I invite the people of other faiths to join us," said Taj Khan, a Lodi resident and a leader in the effort to build the Islamic center as soon as money can be raised for the project. "I think my board will look at this idea favorably."
Co-locating Muslim and Christian houses of worship are unusual, but it does happen. Fremont has a mosque and church located next to each other, said Khan, who was involved with the mosque there about 30 years ago.
In December, three faith organizations took the idea a step further. In Omaha, Neb., an Episcopal church, a Jewish synagogue and a Muslim mosque have each purchased land on a 35-acre site to promote harmony among one another. None of the houses of worship have been built yet.
The property will also include the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture, with social, educational and conference rooms to foster global study and communication, Omaha faith leaders say. The complex is called the Tri-Faith Center.
"The three faiths could interact at the Tri-Faith Center and establish a center with international scholars visiting," said Vic Gutman, a member of the Omaha synagogue who is leading fundraising efforts for the center.
Could something like this happen in Lodi? Opinions are mixed.
"I would love to see something like that," said Naheem "Nick" Qayyum, treasurer of the Lodi Muslim Mosque on Poplar Street. "It would be a wonderful thing. How else are you going to get to know each other?"
However, Rev. Alan Kimber of First United Methodist Church in Lodi isn't so sure that Lodi could achieve the religious harmony that Omaha appears to have accomplished.
"It has a long way to go before will happen in Lodi," Kimber said. "We're not even there with the Christian community. It would take lot more trust development amongst the communities before it got to that point."
Qayyum agrees that Christian and non-Christian faiths need to work on establishing more mutual trust. He said he likes the idea of co-locating the Islamic center on Lower Sacramento Road with a Christian church, since the Islamic center will only take up 4 or 5 acres on the 18.65-acre site.
"I think it's a good idea to have (houses of worship) close together so they can know each other," Qayyum said. "If you've got a question, you can walk next door and ask."
In Galt, Methodist church Pastor Helen Mansfield said she would like to see something like Omaha's efforts take place locally.
"I heard about this on National Public Radio and loved the idea," Mansfield said.
"We recently did a study of Christianity and world religions at Galt United Methodist Church, and it was very well attended by the congregation," Mansfield said in an email. "Many of the people who attended were interested in learning more about the other faith traditions and visiting their worship services.
"Fear comes from the unknown, so anything that promotes getting to know the other helps," she added.
The California Islamic Center site is on the east side of Lower Sacramento Road, just south of the "S" curve near Harney Lane. Right now, there is little more than a large, concrete slab.
Eventually the center will feature a prayer hall, a community center where weddings and other gatherings can be held, an educational center for children to do their homework and a basketball court.
"I would like to see different denominations sharing facilities." Kimber said.
www.lodinews.com/religion/article_519ccef1-489c-52eb-9cac-a0d3d1b2b244.html
Mosque, synagogue and Christian church to build together in Nebraska
Posted: Saturday, January 28, 2012 12:00 am | Updated: 6:23 am, Sat Jan 28, 2012.
By Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel Staff Writer | 0 comments
The nearly 19-acre California Islamic Center site on Lower Sacramento Road has room for a church of another faith to set up shop on the same property, a move that could foster understanding between members of the Muslim and Christian faiths.
"I invite the people of other faiths to join us," said Taj Khan, a Lodi resident and a leader in the effort to build the Islamic center as soon as money can be raised for the project. "I think my board will look at this idea favorably."
Co-locating Muslim and Christian houses of worship are unusual, but it does happen. Fremont has a mosque and church located next to each other, said Khan, who was involved with the mosque there about 30 years ago.
In December, three faith organizations took the idea a step further. In Omaha, Neb., an Episcopal church, a Jewish synagogue and a Muslim mosque have each purchased land on a 35-acre site to promote harmony among one another. None of the houses of worship have been built yet.
The property will also include the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture, with social, educational and conference rooms to foster global study and communication, Omaha faith leaders say. The complex is called the Tri-Faith Center.
"The three faiths could interact at the Tri-Faith Center and establish a center with international scholars visiting," said Vic Gutman, a member of the Omaha synagogue who is leading fundraising efforts for the center.
Could something like this happen in Lodi? Opinions are mixed.
"I would love to see something like that," said Naheem "Nick" Qayyum, treasurer of the Lodi Muslim Mosque on Poplar Street. "It would be a wonderful thing. How else are you going to get to know each other?"
However, Rev. Alan Kimber of First United Methodist Church in Lodi isn't so sure that Lodi could achieve the religious harmony that Omaha appears to have accomplished.
"It has a long way to go before will happen in Lodi," Kimber said. "We're not even there with the Christian community. It would take lot more trust development amongst the communities before it got to that point."
Qayyum agrees that Christian and non-Christian faiths need to work on establishing more mutual trust. He said he likes the idea of co-locating the Islamic center on Lower Sacramento Road with a Christian church, since the Islamic center will only take up 4 or 5 acres on the 18.65-acre site.
"I think it's a good idea to have (houses of worship) close together so they can know each other," Qayyum said. "If you've got a question, you can walk next door and ask."
In Galt, Methodist church Pastor Helen Mansfield said she would like to see something like Omaha's efforts take place locally.
"I heard about this on National Public Radio and loved the idea," Mansfield said.
"We recently did a study of Christianity and world religions at Galt United Methodist Church, and it was very well attended by the congregation," Mansfield said in an email. "Many of the people who attended were interested in learning more about the other faith traditions and visiting their worship services.
"Fear comes from the unknown, so anything that promotes getting to know the other helps," she added.
The California Islamic Center site is on the east side of Lower Sacramento Road, just south of the "S" curve near Harney Lane. Right now, there is little more than a large, concrete slab.
Eventually the center will feature a prayer hall, a community center where weddings and other gatherings can be held, an educational center for children to do their homework and a basketball court.
"I would like to see different denominations sharing facilities." Kimber said.
www.lodinews.com/religion/article_519ccef1-489c-52eb-9cac-a0d3d1b2b244.html
