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ISNA IOICA Director Joins Muslim Community in Iowa for Islamic Center Groundbreaking

Source: ISNA

The Muslim Community of the Quad Cities gathered with inter-faith leaders, representatives, and community members to celebrate the initiation of a new Islamic Center in a memorable groundbreaking ceremony held on July 10, 2010 in Bettendorf, IA.

The National Director for ISNA’s Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances (IOICA) Dr. Sayyid Syeed was invited to be the keynote speaker at the event, during which he expressed his admiration for the community, stating it was a “great honor to be part of this landmark ceremony.”

Special guests in attendance included the Mayors of Bettendorf and Davenport, representatives from the Bettendorf Police and Fire Departments, the President of local ACLU chapter, the President and Vice President of Churches United, a representative from the Davenport Catholic Diocese, pastors from local Episcopalian and Methodist churches, Rabbis and Cantors from the Temple Emanuel – The Reform Jewish Congregation of Quad Cities, and Imams from local cities such as Moline, IL, and Clinton, IA.

The Muslim Community of the Quad Cities (MCQC) represents the cities of Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, Illinois.  The growing population of Muslims in the region prompted the replacement of the current Islamic Center by a larger building, which will be fully equipped with a masjid, gym and community hall.

“This will be a much needed addition. The local Muslim community is rapidly expanding, and our participation, involvement and contribution to both it and also to the Quad City Community in general has been limited by the small size of our current building,” said Talia Alvi, Outreach Coordinator for the MCQC.

Over 120 distinguished guests and community members were present for the event, which was held outdoors on the site of the previous current Islamic Center. After a short welcome and a presentation on the history of the MCQC, the Mayors of Bettendorf and Davenport addressed attendees. This was followed by an inspiring speech from Dr. Syeed.

“Every time that I hear that Muslims, Christians, Jews, and people of other faiths  are building  institutions that will further  advance this special unique legacy of America, I congratulate them and I express my gratitude to God Almighty,” said Syeed. “An Islamic center basically is a mosque without walls, open to all, rich and poor, Muslim and non- Muslim. It will not fulfill its duty, its responsibility towards this community, the Muslim community and to the larger community as a whole, if it does not serve, if it does not become a center that builds mutual understanding that builds mutual relationships.”

The MCQC expects to start construction in August and hopes to finish the first phase of the project—which includes the gym and social hall—by early next year. In the meantime, the MCQC leadership is currently in need of an imam and is accepting applications. Interested individuals with degrees in Islamic Studies or related fields, who are fluent in English and Arabic, and have an ability to effectively communicate with groups of diverse ages and backgrounds can send resumes and/or inquiries to MCQC president Dr. Qaiser Rasheed at qrmcqc@hotmail.com or (563) 503 9611.