The Muslim Community in Central
Pennsylvania
Muslims in South
Central Pennsylvania: An Overview
A conservative estimate is that there
are about 5,000 practicing Muslims in the 9 county area. There
are seven mosques in the Harrisburg area alone. Muslims from
Hershey, Lebanon, Lancaster, and other areas come to the Harrisburg
area mosques, especially for big events. There are additional
mosques in Lancaster and York. Each mosque has its own
constituents that represent the diversity within the Muslim
community.
- The Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg, in Steelton,
mostly has members from the Indian and Pakistan communities.
It is the largest mosque in the area.
- The Islamic Center Masjeed As-Sabereen, located on Cameron
Street in south Harrisburg, draws it membership largely
from the Middle Eastern Muslim community.
- The Harrisburg Masjid (Masjid Muhammad), on 17th Street
in Harrisburg, serves mainly the African American Muslim
community. This is the oldest mosque in the area.
- A mosque on Putnam Street in Harrisburg serves immigrant
families who were an ethnic minority from the mountains
of Vietnam and Cambodia, known as the Cham.
- There is also the Islamic Center of Pennsylvania, Al-Hikmah
Institute, located off of the Carlisle Pike, which represents
a mixed community of Muslims from India, Pakistan, the Middle
East, and Bosnia.
- A mosque on Maclay St. in Harrisburg is a mosque for the
Nation of Islam and attended mostly by African American
and Latino Muslims.
- The newest mosque in the area is the B&H Islamic Center
in Mechanicsburg, serving new immigrants from Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
- The Ahmadi Muslim community within this region centers
its activities at the Noor Mosque in York. Its members include
individuals of many ethnic and racial backgrounds.
What
are the important features in the practice of Islam?
What
are the core beliefs of Islam?
How
has Islam been shaped by U.S. culture?
How
has Islam influenced American culture?
What
is the level of participation in Islamic worship and community
activities in the area?
What
are some misconceptions that Americans have about Islam and
what is the truth about Islam?
What
resources are there in the community for those who wish to
practice Islam or learn more about Islam?
Speakers
and Contact info.
For
further reading
What
are the important features in the practice of Islam?
There are five pillars of Islam, which are the articles of
faith. These are Shahada (profession of faith in God), Salat
(prayer five times a day), Zakat (giving money to the needy),
Sawm (the fast of Ramadan), and the Hajj (the pilgrimage to
Mecca). A festival called Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Zuha, which
celebrates the sacrifice that Abraham was willing to make
of his son, follows the Hajj.
The five daily prayer
services are Fajr, at sunrise; Zuhur, in the early afternoon;
Asr, in the late afternoon; Maghrib, the evening prayer; and
Isha, at night. Friday is a holy day for Muslims and a special
prayer service is held called Jumah, which is preceded by
a sermon and must be held in a mosque. Fasting, siyam, is
done during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic
calendar. Muslims believe that it was during Ramadan
when the "Qur'an was sent down from heaven, a guidance
unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation."
http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/muhamd.htm
During Ramadan
Muslims fast (no food or liquids) during the day time, and
smoking and sexual relations are forbidden during the daytime
hours as well. The fast is broken at the end of the day with
prayer and with a meal called the iftar. When the fast ends
on the first day of the month of Shawwal, Muslims celebrate
a three day holiday called Eid al-Fitr, the feast of fast
breaking. The Harrisburg Masjid, The Islamic Society of Greater
Harrisburg, and Masjid As-Sabereen all get together to celebrate
this festival. During this time, people eat, give gifts to
children, and celebrate. The Noor Mosque extends an
invitation to the York community to join the celebration.
In Islam, there
is also a prohibition against eating pork as well as animals
that died before being slaughtered, and animals that are scavengers.
The availability of Hallal and Kosher meat in America is helpful
toward keeping these prohibitions.
Islam outlines a
social code that recognizes distinctions between males and
females. There is no social mixing of the sexes, premarital
sexual relations are prohibited, and marriages are often arranged.
Muslims must dress modestly, which, for men means covering
the area from the knee to the navel, and for women refers
to all areas except the hands and the face. Cultural influences
and tastes (considering the vast geographical variation of
Muslim communities across the world) account for the variety
of ways in which modesty in dress is manifested.
What are the core
beliefs of Islam?
The word Islam means "peace" "submission"
to God. This reflects the basic value of Islam, which
is to submit to the will of Allah and thereby gain true peace.
God as worshipped by Muslims is the same universal God recognized
by Jews and Christians. Allah is the Arabic word for "God,"
not a specific deity. Islam also believes in the scriptures
of those religions, with Muhammad being the final prophet
in a long line of prophets that include Moses and Jesus among
other Biblical figures. According to Muslim belief, Muhammad's
ancestry goes back to Ishmael, who was the son of the Prophet
Abraham. Muhammad was born in Arabia in 570 AD. When he was
a young man he used to meditate in the Cave of Hira near the
summit of Jabal al-Nur (Mountain of Light) near Mecca, and
when he was forty, the angel Gabriel appeared to him there
and he had revelations over the next 23 years that were compiled
in the Qur'an. The Qur'an, along with Hadith, the traditions
of the Prophet Muhammad, and the Sunnah, the practices of
the Prophet Muhammad, provide the foundation for the comprehensive
Muslim law, called Sharia.
The purpose of
Islam is to impress upon its followers the reason for their
existence--to worship Allah. All acts of worship are
meant to make a person conscious of the presence of Allah
and to think and act accordingly. This develops love
and appreciation for countless bounties in both this and the
next world.
Jihad is an important
part of Islamic beliefs. Many people in western countries
have the misconception that jihad means a holy war against
non-believers. The word jihad means "struggle" and
in Islamic belief really refers to "striving in the cause
of God." This can mean any struggle in day-to-day life
with the aim of pleasing God and often refers to struggle
within one's self and control over the self from doing wrong.
One of the highest levels of jihad is to stand up to a tyrant
by speaking truth.
Islamic belief
holds that Jews and Christians are "People of the Book"
and should be treated with respect and justice.
How has Islam been shaped by U.S. culture?
One Muslim source says that the religion of Islam has not
been influenced by American culture at all, but Muslims have.
Muslims living in America have come to appreciate all of the
blessings of living in a democratic society that promotes
equality before the law and equal rights for all. They have
realized that the ideas and fundamentals of the U.S. Constitution
and Bill of Rights are deeply rooted in the Islamic traditions
and ideology. The Qur'an proclaimed that humanity "has
been created in tribes and sub-tribes that you may learn from
one another."
Another feature
of living in the United States, according to Muslims in the
community, is that U.S. multiculturalism has allowed Muslims
to interact with many people with many different social and
cultural backgrounds who also often share the Muslim faith.
If not for living in the U.S., many Muslims would have never
come in contact with other Muslims from many different parts
of the world as well as people of other faiths. Because of
this, Muslims living in the U.S. have a greater appreciation
for their shared heritage with Judaism, Christianity and other
faiths.
How
has Islam influenced American culture?
Muslims, as converts and immigrants, factory workers and doctors,
are all making contributions to American society and to America's
future. Muslims were early arrivals in North America and by
the eighteenth century thousands of Muslims worked as slaves
on plantations. Today many African American Muslims pay an
important role in the Islamic community and the American community
at large.
Muslims have contributed
to American society at all levels. Notable Muslim figures
include (but are certainly not limited to) boxing great Muhammad
Ali, basketball stars Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwan.
A Muslim, Dr. Fazlur Rahman, designed the Sears Tower. Shirin
Tahir Kheli is a Pakistani-American diplomat who taught at
Temple University. She also became the director of Near East
and South Asian affairs as well as the first Asian and Muslim
ambassador and US representative for special political affairs
to the United Nations.
Despite all of
these achievements and contributions, the greatest contribution
to American society that Muslims have made is the Muslim idea
of righteous living. Islam does not just emphasize ritual
worship, but the principles of justice, ethics, and cleanliness
permeate the entire life of a Muslim, and are ideals that
Muslims try to bring to any community in which they live.
What is the level of participation in Islamic
worship and community activities in the area?
There are many different ways that Muslims in the area participate
in Islamic worship and in the Muslim community. Some Muslims
attend daily prayers five times a day at the masjids (mosques).
The mosque is typically the center of religious, educational
and social activities. Muslims congregate at masjids for the
religiously mandated Friday prayers called salat al-Jumah,
Friday communal prayers. Parents will also take their children
to masjids for religious education classes held either after
regular school during the week, or during the day on weekends.
Masjids also host social programs such as wedding or graduation
parties. Guest lecturers are invited to speak on a variety
of religious issues as well as matters of immediate interest
to the community.
The Islamic Society
of Greater Harrisburg holds Jumah prayers at 1:15 on Fridays
and Islamic school, for both adults and youth, every Sunday
from 10 am to 1:20 pm. During this time there are also services
at 12:25 p.m. These prayers are open to the public. Qur'anic
classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday between the Maghrib
(evening) prayers and the Isha (night) prayers.
The Harrisburg Masjid
holds Jumah prayers on Fridays at 1:30 p.m., which are followed
by a lecture, taleem. The Sunday service from 11-12 also includes
taleem and is followed by studies of the Qur'an and the life
of the prophet. In September, the Harrisburg Masjid holds
a Celebration of Excellence at the Wildwood Conference Center
at HACC. This event recognizes the positives things that people
have done, and seeks to contribute to the overall quality
of life in Harrisburg. People of different religions and cultural
backgrounds come together for this event. All of these programs
are open to the public. The members of the masjid are committed
to social action and trying to make things better for everybody
in the community.
The Masjid As-Sabereen
holds Jumah prayers on Fridays at 12:15 p.m. This masjid also
has an extensive library of books on Islam in both Arabic
and in English. Imam Rasheed also provides counseling services
by appointment.
The Noor Mosque,
in addition to holding Jumah prayers on Fridays, has classes
for the children during the school year, and regular meetings
of its five auxiliaries for boys, young men, older men, girls
and women. The public is welcome to attend annual ijtemas,
or rallies, for moral and spiritual development.
The Al-Hikmah Institute
offers Arabic language classes that are open to the public.
What
are some misconceptions that Americans have about Islam and
what is the truth about Islam?
Islam is not a new religion. Muslims view Islam as completing
the truth that God revealed to each of his prophets ending
with Muhammad. "Islam," which means "submission"
refers to complete submission to the will of the one true
God, and only to God. Therefore, calling the religion "Muhammadism"
or any suggestion that Muslims worship Muhammad is wrong.
Allah is the Arabic word for God, and is used by both Arab
Muslims and and Arab Christians.
The Islamic concept
of jihad has been thought of as a call to arms against all
non-Muslims. This is not what jihad actually refers to. Jihad
means "struggle," which for Muslims refers to "striving
in the cause of God," which usually takes the form of
day to day struggle within one's self to please Allah rather
than doing wrong.
Many non-Muslims
people see Islam as a religion of oppression. This is a complicated
issue because many Muslims countries do have oppressive regimes
and laws, especially towards women. This does not, however,
reflect all Muslims or even all Muslims living in those countries,
but rather the people who are in power in those countries.
The Qur'an does discuss issues dealing with women that are
troublesome to many Westerners, like men having multiple wives,
but the Qur'an has to be taken in historical context. Up until
then, men could have as many wives as they wanted, but the
Qur'an limited this and stated that if a man were to have
more than one wife, they all had to be treated fairly.
Many Muslim women in the United States feel that wearing their
head covering, called hijab, and modest closthing gives them
freedom from being judged solely by their looks.
What
resources are there in the community for those who wish to
practice Islam or learn more about Islam?
Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg
(ISGH)
407 North Front St., PO Box 7463
Steelton, Pa 17113
Phone: 717-939-3107
http://www.isghpa.org/
View
the profile of the ISGH on the website of the Harvard University
Pluralism Project.
Islamic Center
Masjid As-Sabereen
1403 South Cameron St.
Harrisburg, Pa 17104
Phone: 717-238-8313
http://www.as-sabereen.com
Harrisburg Masjid
(Masjid Muhammad)
200 S. 17th St.
Harrisburg, Pa 17104
Phone: 717-232-4545
Islamic Center of PA, Al-Hikmah Institute
for Arabic Language
4704 Carlisle Pike
Mechanicsburg, Pa 17050
Phone: 717-608-5532
islamiccenterofpa@msn.com
Cham Muslims Association
of Pennsylvania (Jamat al-Muslimin Cham Masjid)
1701 Putnam Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717-221-8562
Muhammad's Mosque
(Nation of Islam)
610 Maclay Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717-234-8601
or 717-233-1635
Bosnian & Herzegovina
Mosque
5010 Lenker Street
Mechanicsburg, PA
17055
Phone: 717-439-1010
Masjid At-Tawheed
9 S. Belvidere Ave.
York, Pa 17404
Phone: 717-699-1988
assalafee@hotmail.com
Islamic Center of Lancaster County
739 West Vine St.
Lancaster, Pa 17603
Phone: 717-391-6211
Noor Mosque (Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community)
334 South George
Street
York, PA 17403
Phone: 717-843-3162
noor1@blazenet.net
Speakers
and Contact info.
Speaker: Michael Williams
Topic: any topic regarding the Islamic religion
Contact: (717) 385-6481
Mohdnor@aol.com
Speaker: Mujahid Ramos
Topic: any topic regarding the Islamic religion
Contact: (717) 854-6207
assalafee@hotmail.com
Speaker: Minister
Angelo Muhammad
Topics: Self Improvement Curriculum, Unity of Abrahamic Religions,
Schizophrenia of the Spirit, He Who Prescribes the Diameter
of Your Thinking Controls the Circumference of Your Activity,
Diversity/Religious Tolerance in Religion
Contact: (717) 234-8601, ask to speak with Fatimah Muhammad
please schedule at least one month in advance
Cost: fee will be discussed
Speaker: Imam Nathanial
Hasan
Topics: Islam; The Need for Respect, Learning and Cooperation
Among Different Religions
Contact: Harrisburg Masjid, Masjid Muhammad
200 S. 17th St.
Harrisburg, Pa 17104
(717) 232-4545
Availability: will try to be available any time, please give
at least a few days notice
Cost: donation to the Harrisburg Masjid would be appreciated
The Noor Mosque
has a variety of qualified speakers, both men and women, who
can make presentations or offer informational workshops.
The Noor Mosque is also willing to host school groups, churches
and other opportunities for people to understand Islam.
Contact by phone: (717) 843-3162 or by e-mail: noor1@blazenet.net.
For
further reading…
If you would like
to learn more, check out the following books and websites:
Eck, Diana L. A
New Religious America: How a "Christian Country" Has Become
the World's Most Religiously Diverse Nation. Harper Collins
Publishers, San Francisco; 2001.
Haddad,
Yvonne Y., and Jane Idleman Smith, Muslim Communities
in North America , State University of New York Press,
1994
Haddad,
Yvonne Y., and John L. Esposito, Muslims on the Americanization
Path? , Oxford University Press, 1998
Hasan,
Asma Gull. American Muslims: The New Generation ,
Continuum International Publishing, 2002
Neusner, Jacob. World Religions
in America: An Introduction. Westminster/John Knox Press,
Lousiville; 1994.
Pluralism Project,
Harvard University:
Nyang,
Sulayman S. Islam in the United States of America ,
ABC International Group, 1999
Smith,
Jane. Islam in America , Columbia University Press,
1999
http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/muhamd.htm
http://www.al-islam.org/
http://islam-usa.com/25ques.html#1
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