Islamic Center of Midland invites community to meet their Muslim neighbors

The Islamic Center of Midland invites fellow Midland residents to visit their space and meet Muslim neighbors during their open house event. The event features cultural displays, guest speakers, and more, on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. at 1801 North Stark Road.  The open house is taking place during the community’s Cultural Awareness Month.

Raheef Alturkmani is co-leading the planning and execution, alongside other volunteers for the upcoming open house event. He moved to Midland in 2015 and one of the first places he visited locally was the Islamic Center of Midland. 

Islamic Center of Midland is hosting an Open House on Sat, October 21.
Alturkmani has been engaged in the local Muslim community here, participating in many interfaith and social events over the last eight years. The Center hosts regular events throughout the year, weekly Friday Prayer (Jumma), with a short sermon and prayer at the Masjid. The Center also hosts weekly events during the month of Ramadan. Their upcoming event hopes to provide an opportunity for residents to experience and engage with the Muslim culture. Their upcoming open house invites passerbyers to step inside the building they may have passed before, and wonder what takes place there to see for themselves. 

“The goal is to focus on unity and cultural exchange, Alturkmani says. “It’s an opportunity to unite and focus on the things in common, and without necessarily trying to change anyone’s opinion or convince anyone with any ideas. It’s just an open invitation for people to come, visit and get to know the Muslim community better.”
“We’re looking forward to welcoming all of our Midland neighbors"
Education is one aspect of the event, which will include speakers sharing their stories about culture, religion, and their upbringing. 

“This is our opportunity to bring knowledge to our Midland neighbors, and invite them to have a better understanding of who we are, and where we came from,” Alturkmani says. “Many of us are not originally from Midland, but many of us consider Midland home.”

The open house event features session one from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the second session from 2 to 5 p.m. The sessions allow visitors to drop-in, listen to the presentations through the time period, and to view cultural displays outside of the mosque.

The event is free, and there is no registration required. “We’re looking forward to welcoming all of our Midland neighbors, and can’t wait to see and interact with our guests,” Alturkmani says.

Alturkmani hopes the event can open doors to future conversations and interactions between different cultural organizations and specific communities. For more information, and for helpful tips to know before your visit, including notes on attire, greetings, and more, visit the Islamic Center of Midland’s website.