its not that mosques were closed, but people in the general public weren't curious enough to want to go in and have a look... until 911.
the last decade has seen an 'open doors, open minds' policy by many mosques, especially in the west on the back of a lot of discrimination and speculation in the general community about the intentions of muslims. whilst islam has taken a battering since then, its trying to show that they are still patriotic as any other americans/australians/canadians etc and not different to anyone else.
ive been curious enough to want to go to churches, baha'i, buddhist and hindu temples, and synogogues when i had the chance, and ive taken that opportunity when it came.
im just wondering what hinders people from taking that step, and what influences them to make those decisions.
Will, the intention isnt to open up a debate, but rather to open up a dialogue and understanding and welcome people to understand who, what, why about islam and its people in [insert city here].
my brother has welcomed many people like yourself at the local mosque in sydney. he has some colourful stories. Banter debates are welcomed. Its part and parcel of it all. And like yourself my brother is well versed in all the 'for and against aguments'. but again, debates are something else. if you wanted a debate, there are many islamic organisations that organise debates with other christian/jewish/atheists et al. that said, you'd be welcome to pay me a visit in my local mosque. barbeques are a great idea, and i know its been done at many universities in sydney back when i was still studying. Ill have to ask my brother if they have bbqs at the open day these days.
my intention here is to understand why people choose to or choose not to take an invite, and if i could use and decifer this information to invite more people for enhance that culture of understanding.
OCM - what would make you go or not go? how can i 'open up' the questions for you? if Ring went, would you go with her? sometimes people feel unsure of going unless someone comes along too.
Furious - yes, you're right. these things are not organised to convert or teach people about islam or get into theological discussions, but rather to introduce people to a mosque and its people.
ive always wondered what sort of marketing would be needed to attract people to attend these open days. flyers? newspaper? or word of mouth? anyone?
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