Phone Interview with Imam Abdul Rashid Khan
Date of the interview: November 4, 2013
1. Who was the founder of this masjid? When was it founded?
Al Hilaal Darus Salam was founded in 1997 by Muhammad Farooq, Munawwar Daimee, and Ayman Anis.
2. Is the center affiliated or partners with any other mosque?
The masjid is more or less independent. It used to be two masjids, but there were problems with parking and city planning, so they merged in 2000.
3. Any significant milestones?
Land was purchased near Montague Expressway and the local community intended to build a new mosque, but there were problems with obtaining a permit. This went on for 12 years, so they did not get very far in their efforts. This past July, the land was sold and an existing building was purchased to convert into a masjid. Efforts to raise the necessary funds are still underway.
4. What kind of community engagement?
There are many different programs and opportunities for community service within the community. Every two months, there is a small forum/get together to discuss issues related to personal life or any other level.
5. Community size?
Around 5,000. About 1,500 directly involved some way or another
6. What types of programs does this masjid offer?
The Mosque concentrates on small programs such as a program for kids, interaction with youth, health programs 3x a week, daily prayers, and a sisters program. These programs work on the community level.
7. How did the mosque derive its name?
It derives from Arabic name as AL-HILAAL (Dar-us-Salam) => Dar-us-Salam Islamic Center, this is a "general" name which many mosques are using the name.
8. Demographic
This space is open to everyone, but the majority are mostly Pakistani and Indian muslims
9. Size
150 house hold, so about 600 people.
10. Articles or Press
Youtube video/channel- http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAlhilaal?feature=watch
11. Kind of structure
Rental unit of a shopping area
12. Project
they sold a land they owned, and they plan to buy the current place and extended units to build a new mosque. The project cost about 4.5 million dollars
13. Services
1) Teaching Quran & Arabic to children & adults
2) Charity: any people can submit an application form to the Imam. There is a community board, who reviews, verifies and approves the support.
14. Legal cases
None
15. Discrimination
None
1. Who was the founder of this masjid? When was it founded?
Al Hilaal Darus Salam was founded in 1997 by Muhammad Farooq, Munawwar Daimee, and Ayman Anis.
2. Is the center affiliated or partners with any other mosque?
The masjid is more or less independent. It used to be two masjids, but there were problems with parking and city planning, so they merged in 2000.
3. Any significant milestones?
Land was purchased near Montague Expressway and the local community intended to build a new mosque, but there were problems with obtaining a permit. This went on for 12 years, so they did not get very far in their efforts. This past July, the land was sold and an existing building was purchased to convert into a masjid. Efforts to raise the necessary funds are still underway.
4. What kind of community engagement?
There are many different programs and opportunities for community service within the community. Every two months, there is a small forum/get together to discuss issues related to personal life or any other level.
5. Community size?
Around 5,000. About 1,500 directly involved some way or another
6. What types of programs does this masjid offer?
The Mosque concentrates on small programs such as a program for kids, interaction with youth, health programs 3x a week, daily prayers, and a sisters program. These programs work on the community level.
7. How did the mosque derive its name?
It derives from Arabic name as AL-HILAAL (Dar-us-Salam) => Dar-us-Salam Islamic Center, this is a "general" name which many mosques are using the name.
8. Demographic
This space is open to everyone, but the majority are mostly Pakistani and Indian muslims
9. Size
150 house hold, so about 600 people.
10. Articles or Press
Youtube video/channel- http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAlhilaal?feature=watch
11. Kind of structure
Rental unit of a shopping area
12. Project
they sold a land they owned, and they plan to buy the current place and extended units to build a new mosque. The project cost about 4.5 million dollars
13. Services
1) Teaching Quran & Arabic to children & adults
2) Charity: any people can submit an application form to the Imam. There is a community board, who reviews, verifies and approves the support.
14. Legal cases
None
15. Discrimination
None
Interview with community members: Wasim Khan (father) and Zohaib Khan (son)
Date of the Interview: November 2, 2013
Location: Masjid Darus-Salam, Milpitas, CA From its inception, this has been a close community. The father and son duo hope there will be a new mosque in near future. They have funds that they want to appropriate toward buying their establishment (currently renting) and renovating it. |
Interview with Community Member: Fatima Ishaath
Date of the Interview: November 2, 2013
Location: Masjid Darus-Salam, Milpitas, CA
1. Where from?
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
2. What is the demographic of the masjid?
Mostly Indians/Pakistanis, some Arabs
3. How long have you been coming here?
Since Aug/Sept of this year
4. What programs does the mosque have that you know of?
This masjid has a health program, and on Wednesday evenings, they teach a fiqh class (the do's and don'ts of Islam), on Thursdays, there is Tafsir class, which is about explaining the Qur'an and discussing the verses of the Qur'an. There is also a Hifz program for children interested in memorizing the Qur'an, started after Ramadan (annual program).
5. What do you like best about the masjid?
Verbatim: "It is a comfortable, safe space. It's really close to my home, I like that very much. It's not a big organization, which might have a lot of infighting amongst its leadership. In intimate communities, you don't have that. This is meant to be a place of worship." She also likes that at the 8:00 pm prayer, the Imam spends time on Hadith (~2 min). She says, "you get something very valuable out of it. I really appreciate that."
6. What is your involvement in the mosque?
She said she tries to come as often as possible to pray. The mosque is open 24/7, with people coming to pray at the necessary times.
Location: Masjid Darus-Salam, Milpitas, CA
1. Where from?
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
2. What is the demographic of the masjid?
Mostly Indians/Pakistanis, some Arabs
3. How long have you been coming here?
Since Aug/Sept of this year
4. What programs does the mosque have that you know of?
This masjid has a health program, and on Wednesday evenings, they teach a fiqh class (the do's and don'ts of Islam), on Thursdays, there is Tafsir class, which is about explaining the Qur'an and discussing the verses of the Qur'an. There is also a Hifz program for children interested in memorizing the Qur'an, started after Ramadan (annual program).
5. What do you like best about the masjid?
Verbatim: "It is a comfortable, safe space. It's really close to my home, I like that very much. It's not a big organization, which might have a lot of infighting amongst its leadership. In intimate communities, you don't have that. This is meant to be a place of worship." She also likes that at the 8:00 pm prayer, the Imam spends time on Hadith (~2 min). She says, "you get something very valuable out of it. I really appreciate that."
6. What is your involvement in the mosque?
She said she tries to come as often as possible to pray. The mosque is open 24/7, with people coming to pray at the necessary times.
Interview with a convenience store owner
Date of the Interview: November 2, 2013
Location: Milpitas, CA
Establishment Name: Cheer-liter Liquour
1. How long has your business been here?
6 years
2. How do you feel about the mosque being here? The community?
"50/50" The owner went on to explain that these people are very good, but when they come to pray, they unintentionally disrupt traffic because they park everywhere, and that he only really has the 5-6 parking spots in front of his store. This usually happens when there are visitors to the mosque - not the regulars. "Overall, it's not too bad. They are very nice people, they speak very well with us. We get along very well!"
Location: Milpitas, CA
Establishment Name: Cheer-liter Liquour
1. How long has your business been here?
6 years
2. How do you feel about the mosque being here? The community?
"50/50" The owner went on to explain that these people are very good, but when they come to pray, they unintentionally disrupt traffic because they park everywhere, and that he only really has the 5-6 parking spots in front of his store. This usually happens when there are visitors to the mosque - not the regulars. "Overall, it's not too bad. They are very nice people, they speak very well with us. We get along very well!"