Interfaith and Outreach Activities

Purpose: To convey the true teachings of Islam to the broader community, ​dispel any misconceptions and support new Muslims in their spiritual and social needs. 

Committee Leader: Hamidali Kottaparamban 
Contact: outreach@guidinglightcenter.org

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Annual Open Mosque Day

Guests are welcome to our mosque anytime, however we hold a special open house every year, in which the community is invited to come "meet your Muslim neighbor." Our event is advertised widely in newspapers and through social media. 
A typical Open Mosque Day includes: 

• Guided mosque tour
• Presentation on the basics of Islam
• Q&A session about Islam
• Listening to Quran recitation and the adhan (call to prayer)
• Watching a typical congregational prayer
• Eating ethnic food with local Muslims
• Other: get your name written in Arabic calligraphy, have artistic henna done, try on a hijab, win raffle prizes

Outreach Booths

Annual Ramadan Community Iftar

We set up outreach booths during the Kentucky State Fair, WorldFest and other local festivals. At these booths we provide free introductory materials on Islam, including free translations of the Quran in English, provided by Al-Furqan Project (with Imam Eesaa Wood). We encourage attendees to interact with us and "ask a Muslim a question" to help dispel misconceptions about Muslims. We have had positive press coverage with this initiative, which you can watch here: Daniel Paxton/WAVE 3 News

Every Ramadan, we host neighbors from across the community to take part in the traditional breaking of the fast. Food and drink will be shared in communal fashion and we invite everyone, no matter where they live to take part in this splendid evening social.

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