http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/10539868.htm
Posted on Sat, Jan. 01, 2005
Passing on traditions
County's first permanent mosque opens in Overland Park
By LINDSAY HANSON The Kansas City Star
It's been a long wait, but the Islamic Center of Johnson County has found a permanent home.
The site at 9001 W. 151st St. in Overland Park smells of fresh lumber, drywall and tile grout. A rough pine stairway weaves from the upper floor's classrooms to the former garage, which now houses an ablution area, with 10 tiled washing stations for cleansing before prayer.
The exterior of the former four-bedroom home shows few indications of the building's new religious purpose, other than a makeshift, leaning sign at the driveway entrance. The modesty of the new mosque shields its founders' grandiose intentions.
It is a school to its children, a center for community outreach and a place of worship. Mostly, though, Johnson County's first permanent mosque symbolizes the establishment of the Muslim community.
“It's a place where our families can get together and our children can grow up together,” said Wohaib Hasan, the secretary of the center's board of trustees.
Grassroots beginnings
When the Islamic Center of Johnson County became official by registering with the Islamic Center of Kansas in 2000, its members had two options to attend prayer services in the county: a temporary mosque at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center at 119th Street and Lowell Avenue, and another temporary facility at the Lenexa Community Center at 13420 Oak St.
The community had no focal point, nowhere to pass on Muslim values to children.
Founders of the new mosque began organizing the county's Muslim community with a bleary-eyed search through the phone book in 2002. After a few days and hundreds of calls, they gathered support for a new mosque from 90 percent of the 222 Muslims they reached. Counting family members of the respondents, the group determined more than 3,500 Muslims live in the county.
“I would like to say that after 9/11, that was really when we had the real impetus to make this a reality,” Hasan said. “We really felt that we had to reach out to the local community and break down some of the barriers we could see were going to come up.”
They found the house on 151st Street for $510,000. According to Islamic rule, Muslims cannot pay or collect interest on loans. The group collected money for the first $250,000 payment last January. Since then, the group has raised about $80,000, but they must make a second and final payment of $260,000 by Jan. 31. They're not worried, because the first time, the last $77,000 in donations poured in during the two weeks before payment time.
“We had no clue how we were going to close (on the payment), but we did,” said Arif Ahmad, a member of the center's board of trustees.
Those who wish to donate can visit the center's Web site, www.icjc.org or visit the mosque on weekends.
Reaching out
Now that the mosque exists, members of its congregation are making sure people know about it.
Since the center opened, they've started a door-to-door publicity campaign in the mosque's south Overland Park neighborhood.
And recently, members of the congregation discussed future collaborations with clergy of the Advent Lutheran Church at 151st Street and Quivira Road. They plan similar visits to congregations in Olathe and to people of the Jewish faith, Hasan said.
“We need to make that effort to make sure that the people around us feel comfortable with us,” Hasan said during a recent Friday prayer service.
Renovations for the facility aren't yet complete. Handicap-access routes must be installed throughout the building, and a few doors upstairs must be replaced in February. Center leaders eventually want to buy an adjoining six-acre plot to build a larger mosque that can host more worshipers and provide a home for an imam, or prayer leader.
But those aren't immediate issues. Hasan led prayer on a recent Friday, and the crowd of about 30 wasn't large enough to fill the prayer room. Founders expect that participation will grow as word of mouth spreads.
Weekend religion classes for children are held around the living room fireplace. Another classroom is equipped with a private bathroom, complete with Jacuzzi and his-and-hers sinks. But having space at all for children's classes is a luxury Johnson County Muslims haven't experienced.
“If we can only answer their questions, I think that is half the battle,” Ahmad said.
To reach Lindsay Hanson, call (816) 234-5904 or send e-mail to
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13383765&BRD=1459&PAG=461&dept_id=155725&rfi=8
Johnson County Sun Newspapers, November 18, 2004
Johnson County Islamic Center
celebrates end of Ramadhan, new mosque with Eid Fair
The holy month of Ramadhan, observed by Muslims with piety and
abstinence through 30 days of special prayers and day-long fasting,
came to a conclusion on Saturday.
At the end of Ramadhan, Muslims partake in a three-day celebration
called Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Fast-Breaking. It is a time to
give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends
the completion of a month of blessings and joy.
The celebrations were especially joyous at the Islamic Center of
Johnson County, whose congregation of around 40 members commemorated
not only the conclusion of Ramadhan, but the fruition of their mission
to establish a permanent mosque to worship and gather in.
The ICJC received its occupancy permit in October, just in time to use
the new mosque at 9001 W. 151st St. to worship Ramadhan and hold
fast-breaking meals at sunset of each day. Attendance peaked at between
75 and 100 people during weekend prayers and meals.
Dr. Wohaib Hasan, secretary of the ICJC Board of Trustees, said that
getting the new facility ready for Ramadhan required a great deal of
work, and the congregation felt a strong sense of accomplishment in
pulling off that effort.
"But we had been so busy that, to a certain extent, we didn't get the
word out to the larger Muslim community," Hasan said.
Hasan said Eid celebrations are not commonly observed in the Kansas
City area, and ICJC felt holding a festival would be a great event for
its congregation to include the Islamic community of greater Kansas
City.
"This is a milestone for us, and we thought, 'What better way to
recognize that than with the Eid fair,'" Hasan. "In Muslim countries,
Eid is a very big deal. When you're in Western countries, we don't tend
to perhaps enjoy it as much because we don't have the facilities ...
We've got four acres here, which allows us to do things that we might
not otherwise be able to do. So, we thought we should show it off to
others in faith in Kansas City."
During the Eid Fair on Sunday, the ICJC offered games, moonwalks,
clowns, pony rides and plenty of food.
Hasan said Eid Fair organizers weren't sure how many people would turn
out for the event, but the attendance was well beyond their
expectations. They ended up having to order pizza 10 times to feed the
more than 100 people who came to celebrate Eid at the new Mosque.
"It's a day of celebration and being thankful that we had the means to
break our fast, which is really important. The whole purpose of fasting
is to teach you self-control, empathy with those less fortunate and, of
course, spirituality," Hasan said.
"The Eid Fair has been great. The community has come together to say
this is a new place of worship and we want to show support for it."
The ICJC had been housed in Overland Park's Tomahawk Ridge Community
Center, 11902 Lowell, before the congregation bought the property for a
permanent mosque in February of this year. The Tomahawk Ridge facility
will continue to operate because of its proximity to the employment
centers of College Boulevard and 119th Street, which makes it
convenient for many members to attend Fridays' 12:15 p.m. prayers.
With more than 3,550 Muslims, Johnson County is home to one of the
fastest growing Islamic communities in the Kansas City area.
"Over the past few years, there's been a general drift in the community
towards Johnson County. However there was no permanent place to pray,
and we realized we needed to do something about it," Hasan said.
The new mosque will not only serve as a place for the Taraweeh prayers
during Ramadhan but daily prayers and Friday congregational prayers
throughout the year, youth and adult educational programs, recreational
activities and as a showcase for non-Muslim visitors and a platform for
community outreach.
"It's been a while in coming, but we're sure glad that we were able to
secure a future," Hasan said.
"This is where the community is going to form its base from."
No Headline (Photo Special)
Published on November 17, 2004, Page 17, Kansas City Star, The (MO)
SUSAN PFANNMULLER/Special to The Star Seven-year-old Mahroosa Haideri
played with her friends during a Ramadan service and dinner at the
Islamic Center of Johnson County.
SUSAN PFANNMULLER/Special to The Star Abrar Sheriff and his son Hamza
Sheriff, 4 sat in prayer Saturday at Ramadan service at the Islamic
Center of Johnson County.
SUSAN PFANNMULLER/Special to The Star Abdul Rauf Mir prayed quietly by
a wall hanging in Arabic, depiciting a prayer from the Holy Quran
Friday night during Ramadan. Ramadan is in the ninth month of the
Muslim calendar, and is a time of fasting and faith. The Ramadan
service was held at the Islamic Center of Johnson County, 9001 W.
151st.
Published on November 17, 2004, Page 17, Kansas City Star, The (MO)
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/9761939.htm
Posted on Sun, Sep. 26, 2004
Message of Muslim awards dinner:
Vote
By BENITA Y. WILLIAMS
The Kansas City Star
The Heartland Muslim Council held its annual dinner Saturday on the
campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where speakers urged
citizens to vote.
The theme was "Voting is our right. To vote is your responsibility."
"We want every adult who is an American citizen to register to vote,"
council President Mahnaz Shabbir said.
The keynote speaker was Imam Omar Hazim of the Islamic Center of Topeka.
Other speakers included Dick Kurtenbach, executive director of the
American Civil Liberties Union in Kansas and Western Missouri, and
Awais Sufi, the managing director and general counsel of the Education
for Employment Foundation in Washington. Both spoke about what they
characterized as the erosion of civil liberties for all Americans and
Muslim-Americans in particular since the Patriot Act was passed after
the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"When the rights of one group are diminished, the rights of all are
diminished," Kurtenbach said.
Shabbir denounced terrorist attacks of all types, particularly those
attributed to Muslim groups.
"We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal
actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the
Qur'an and the Prophet Mohammed," Shabbir said.
Recognized at the dinner were:
* Aasim Baheyadeen of the Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance, who
received the community leader award.
* Gwendolyn Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater
Kansas City, who received the public service award.
* The Islamic Center of Johnson County, which received the community
development award.
* Sally Salah of the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City, who
received the emerging leader award.
* WDAF-TV Channel 4, which received the journalism award for its
coverage of the council.
To reach Benita Y. Williams, call (816) 234-4789 or send e-mail to bwilliams@kcstar.com.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/8669587.htm?ERIGHTS=9067500679111733602kansascity
Sat, May. 15, 2004
CRICKET
Participants share love of sport popular in other countries
By ERIN FITZGERALD
The Kansas City Star
"There're so many different skills in the game, and each one of them is
almost an art."
- Kasif Syed, Blue Valley North student
At first glance, the game seems to be a strange version of baseball.
One man grips the end of a flat bat as another "bowls" the ball,
throwing it toward the batsman. The ball is hit, flies through the air
and sails over the fence, scoring an automatic six runs, no running
required.
But no bases are in sight, and the pace is a little slower than a
typical baseball game.
The game is cricket.
"It's like the Super Bowl for Americans," said Aman Khan, who was born
in Pakistan, where cricket is popular. "It's like football here."
About 15 to 18 people turn out each Sunday to play on a field near the
Islamic Center of Johnson County, 9001 W. 151st St., Overland Park.
Most are from countries where the sport is popular.
The game, in general, is similar to baseball: Players attempt to hit
the ball and score runs.
But in cricket, three wooden posts called a wicket sit roughly 30
inches high at each end of an area called the pitch. The pitch is at
the center of the ground, which is the area where cricket is played.
The size of grounds can vary, but the pitch is 22 yards long by 10 feet
wide.
The batter stands at one wicket, and the batter's partner stands at the
other wicket. The bowler throws the ball from the other wicket. After
the batter hits the ball, the batter can decide to run. Then the
partners run to the opposite wickets. Once they cross a line in front
of the opposite wicket, they score a run.
Cricket games are one or two innings, and after each team has batted
the same number of innings, the winner is the team with the most runs.
The group meeting at the Islamic Center doesn't adhere to all of the
game's official rules and field arrangement, just as a playground
baseball team may play a differently than major leaguers.
Wohaib Hasan, secretary of the Islamic Center, played the sport when he
was growing in England. He enjoys what he calls the duel between bat
and ball.
"It's that excitement of actually seeing the ball go through the
batsman and hit the stumps (each wooden pole of the wicket) at the
other end," said Hasan, who is 36.
In the group's game, one way to get the batter out is for the bowler to
hit the wicket with the ball.
It's believed that cricket originated in England more than 500 years
ago. Today, the sport is popular in countries including Australia and
India.
"Of course, it's regarded as the civilized sport. * It's got that whole
routine where the men have to wear shirts and pants to play; they have
a tea break," Hasan said.
The sport is gaining popularity in the metropolitan area, said Prashant
Narayanan, president of the Kansas City Cricket Club.
Teams now play on a regulation sized cricket ground in Kansas City,
which is giving visibility to the sport, Narayanan said.
Narayanan also serves as president of the Midwest Cricket League, which
includes seven teams, six based in the Kansas City area and one in
Topeka.
The teams generally follow the formal rules of the game. But Narayanan
estimates that there are about nine or 10 informal teams also playing
cricket in the area.
The group that plays at the Islamic Center started meeting there about
a month ago. Before that, they played in school parking lots and tennis
courts, wherever they could find a spare piece of ground.
Now the group plays on a concrete pitch they built at the Islamic
Center. In return for using the Islamic Center's ground, the group pays
for maintaining the site. Each player contributes $10 a month.
Hussain Haideri, who recently moved to south Overland Park, at one
point drove 75 miles each way on Sundays to play with the group.
"It is a very exciting sport. (It has) the energy of basketball,
football and soccer combined for us," said Haideri, who is 38.
And players are hoping to share their love of the game.
Kasif Syed, a 16-year-old Blue Valley North student, started a cricket
club at the school about a year and a half ago. He said he hopes that
the team will eventually grow large enough to play other school teams.
"There're so many different skills in the game, and each one of them is
almost an art," he said. "It's a game of strategy where you really have
to think," Syed said.
Those interested in joining the group in south Overland Park should
visit www.icjc.org
and click on Community News.
For more information about the Kansas City Cricket Club, visit www.kccricketclub.org.
To reach Erin Fitzgerald, call (816) 234-7722 or send e-mail to efitzgerald@kcstar.com.
Wed, Oct. 22, 2003
Islamic Center withdraws rezoning
request
By ERIN FITZGERALD
The Kansas City Star
The Islamic Center of Johnson County has withdrawn a rezoning request
for land in south Overland Park but still plans to have a mosque on the
site.
The land at 9001 W. 151st St. is now under county zoning, which allows
for religious facilities, and the center plans to expand a house on the
site for a mosque.
To expand the house, the center will need approval only from city
staff, not the City Council or Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission in September recommended approving a rezoning
request for an Islamic religious facility at the site.
Residents raised concerns during that meeting that the rezoning would
allow denser development. The site's current county zoning requires a
minimum of three acres per home. Under the rezoning, a minimum of one
acre per home would have been required.
The center planned to use the entire site for the mosque, but residents
were still worried, mentioning nearby homes on five acres.
Nearby neighbors had submitted a protest petition, which the city
determined was valid. Counting the mayor and City Council, at least 10
out of 13 votes would have been needed to approve the rezoning request
instead of seven.
Larry Winn III, a lawyer representing the center, said the decision to
withdraw the request had nothing to do with the protest petition. Winn
noted that the residents were very clear that they were not opposed to
the mosque.
"They just didn't want the uncertainty of the zoning if it wasn't
necessary," Winn said. "To someone that has a four-acre lot, a one-acre
lot marks a material change."
Chris Kunzle, an Overland Park resident who lives near the site, said
his concerns have been alleviated, at least for now.
"It's a very particular way of living if you have a large acreage,"
Kunzle said. "It's not only that you have the five acres yourself; it
makes it nice that your neighbor has five acres as well.... For the
moment it went our way, but I'm hoping we can preserve it in the
future."
Wed, Sep. 10, 2003
Residents object to rezoning request
by Islamic group
By ERIN FITZGERALD
The Kansas City Star
South Overland Park residents raised concerns during Monday's Planning
Commission meeting about a rezoning request related to an Islamic
religious facility.
But residents didn't seem to be worried about the religious use of the
property; a main concern was that the rezoning would allow denser
development. The site's current zoning allows for religious facilities.
The Planning Commission voted 7-2 Monday to recommend approving a
rezoning request for the facility at 9001 W. 151st St., west of Antioch
Road.
Before the meeting had ended, residents submitted a protest petition.
Counting the mayor and City Council, at least 10 out of 13 votes would
be required to approve the request instead of seven if the petition is
valid. As of Tuesday morning, the city hadn't determined if it is valid.
The Islamic Center of Johnson County, a congregation of about 250
people without a permanent facility, plans to expand a house on the
site to use as a mosque, which could open early next year. The center
plans to eventually build a larger mosque.
The land is now under county zoning, which requires a minimum of 3
acres per home, excluding public streets. The rezoning would allow
denser development, with a minimum of 1 acre per home, excluding public
streets.
The rezoning request conforms to the city's master plan, but that
didn't seem to satisfy residents, who spoke of nearby homes on 5-acre
lots. About 15 residents opposed to the rezoning attended the meeting,
and some of them spoke during the public hearing.
Jim Orr, a lawyer who spoke on behalf of Chad Shaffer who lives
directly west of the site, called the rezoning unnecessary.
"There is absolutely no reason to zone for one-acre residences if you
are going to have a religious facility," Orr said.
After Orr spoke, residents expressed concern about losing the
agricultural feel of the area.
Suzanne Shaffer, Chad Shaffer's wife, asked the commission to uphold
the ideals of the old Stanley community.
"We don't have to have curtains on our windows; we don't have to go
outside and look at dense manmade structures or concrete; we're allowed
to go walk outside and see nature," Suzanne Shaffer said.
Chad Shaffer also spoke of the area's feel.
"It has a very specific ... charm and uniqueness ...," Chad Shaffer
said. "To change this in a zoning area would radically affect the area
in which we live."
Other residents mentioned concerns about storm water runoff and
drainage from the site, but a storm water study will be required when
preliminary plans are submitted to the city.
Commissioner David White said development along 151st Street is going
to continue.
"To say that you want agricultural out there is essentially burying
your head in the sand because that's not going to happen. 151st is
going to be development, and places like this mosque and other churches
are going to take place, and they are going to disturb your view
because that's the nature of the beast ... ," White said.
Commissioner Janie Thacker said that as long as the center can use the
site for a religious facility under its current zoning, she couldn't
support approving the rezoning request.
Thacker, along with Tom Lance, voted against the motion to approve the
rezoning request. Commissioner George Lund was absent, and Kim Sorensen
left the meeting before the vote.
Planning Commission Chairman Charles Hunter said at the end of the day
he thought the commission needed to look at the master plan.
"And when you do that, it's difficult to come down any way other than
in support of the application," Hunter said.
Wohaib Hasan, secretary of the Islamic Center of Johnson County, later
said that the congregation has raised almost $250,000 to help pay for
the initial down payment for 4 acres of the 10-acre site.
The group will pay a total of $510,000 for those 4 acres and eventually
plans to purchase the remaining 6 acres and build a bigger mosque on
the site in five to 10 years, he said. After the center acquires the
land, it plans to use the entire site for the mosque and not sell it
off, he said.
The mosque would be available for the five daily prayers as well as
Friday services and weekend religious studies.
"We're really hoping to enlighten the community around us about our
religion, which has been soiled by the awful people who did 9/11,"
Hasan said. "We really want this to be a place where people can just
walk off the streets and come in and see that Muslims are normal
people."
The City Council is scheduled to consider the rezoning request during a
meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at City Hall, 8500 Santa Fe
Drive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To reach Erin Fitzgerald, call (816) 234-7722 or send e-mail to efitzgerald@kcstar.com.