Mo Dabashi, for Eid, where the first prayer started at 9am.
*PHoto Credit:* *Masjid Ar Rashid*

Women at the Eid al-Adha Community BBQ.
*Photo Credit:* *Masjid Ar Rashid*

As foot traffic picks up on the sidewalks of Beacon’s Main Street, more people are walking by and entering the Masjid Ar Rashid Islamic Teaching Center, next to Beacon Natural and across from the Post Office. Some people are looking at their phones saying: “I found it! The mosque is right here. Let’s go in.” Other people, when they hear the Arabic coming from the speakers on the outside of the building say: “What is that sound?” if they don’t speak Arabic.

To answer that question, ALBB interviewed Junior Zayed Dabashi in July 2022 after a community BBQ at the mosque for the the 2nd Eid al-Adha. Junior is on the board of the mosque.

ALBB: When we hear a voice coming from the speaker, what is its meaning? What is he saying?

It is the call to prayer (adhan). Muslims pray 5 times a day, and it is a reminder to leave everything be and pray.

They are calling people to prayers by saying:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,
 (God is the greatest, God is the greatest)

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar 
(God is the greatest, God is the greatest)

Ash-hadu an’ la ilaha ill Allah, 
(I bear witness that there is no God but Allah)

Ash-hadu ana Muhammadan Rasoolallah, 
(I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah)

Hayya ‘alas-Salah, 
(Rush to prayer)

Hayya ‘alal Falah, 
(Rush to success)

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, 
(God is the greatest, God is the greatest)

La illaha ill Allah 
(There is no God but Allah)

ALBB: At today’s community BBQ, I chatted with a girl who was in the area for business. She was looking for something to do, heard about today’s BBQ at the mosque, and had her taxi driver drive her here. Are you noticing an increase in new visitors?

Yes.

ALBB: What was today’s community BBQ celebrating? Was it open to all?

Junior Zayed Dabashi and Kamel Jamal at the cookout.
*Photo Credit:* *Masjid Ar Rashid*

Today we celebrated Eid al-Adha, which is also called the "Festival of the Sacrifice.” It is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated. During Eid, we do Eid prayers, animal sacrifice, charity, social gatherings, festive meals, gift-giving. Anyone can come. It is open to all.

ALBB: Is lamb traditionally served?

Yes. Lamb or cow. There are other ways you can help the less fortunate with paying for their lamb or cow, and you don’t have to do it for your home. It’s a nice chance for a family gathering.

Kids playing in the bouncy house placed in the parking lot of the mosque.
*Photo Credit:* *Masjid Ar Rashid*

ALBB: Is sharing with family and friends encouraged?

Yes, but you don’t have too. Most Muslims get together with family.

ALBB: How many Imams are leading the mosque? I didn’t realize Mo is a Imam!

We have 2. Mo helps outs when needed.

You can read about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr from Junior’s niece Izdihar Dabashi here at ALBB.

*Photo Credit:* *Screenshot from the Highlands Current*

Last week’s Highlands Current profiled Abdullah Wajid, an Imam with the Masjid Ar Rashid Islamic Teaching Center in Beacon on Main Street near the Beacon Natural Market and across from the Post Office. The profile was in the paper’s weekly Q&A section. The interview was excerpted from the original episode interview by Zach Rogers, host and creator of the podcast “Beaconites!”

He recalls how the center has been in Beacon for more than 30 years. “The composition of the mosque was mostly African American, with a couple of Egyptian and maybe one Pakistani family. Today there’s a wide range of people who come. The number of families is anywhere from 150 to 200. You won’t see them at one time unless it’s a celebration like what we call Eid — we have two every year — or Ramadan.”

He encourages people to come to the mosque, and learn about their events, like this one last month on Women’s Health. He said during the interview: “We have made a very strong effort to let the people know that our mosque is approachable. You can come in; there are no rules that say you have to be a Muslim. We want to let the people know that we are supportive of the community. We try to demonstrate the best of character and try to be sensitive, especially to our neighbors. In Islam, neighbors are very important.”

There is a Family Day at the mosque today (Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 1pm. Details are here, and people are encouraged to bring a dish. Read the excerpted interview at Highlands Current, and listen to it in full at Beaconites!.