by IRFAN M. RYDHAN
(Part of the timovation challenge. Judge’s response: “Irfan’s essay imagines what a mosque of 20 years in America can look like.”)
Also in the SVM complex is a women’s shelter and orphanage building. Even though in today’s world most people are progressive in their thinking, there are still those who abuse their power over those who are physically weaker than them. It is the duty of the Muslim to help and take care of women and children in need, no matter their religion. In the past Muslims built many mosques with schools, but very few shelters and orphanages. Even in today’s world there are a few around which are run by Muslims, so the SVM decided to build these as part of their larger complex.
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The SVM has a separate community center building which can be used as a gym, basketball court, indoor tennis court and there is also an indoor swimming pool – which can also be closed off so women can use it in private if they wish to do so. Of course the multi-purpose room can be used as a banquet hall which people can rent out for weddings and other such parties. Music and dancing in the community center is OK, because even the Prophet Muhammad (S) allowed the dancing of the Abyssinians inside the mosque on the day of Eid and also music to be played on festive occasions such as weddings.
The Islamic Monthly for more