Community Corner
Tawheed Center Opens Doors, Offers Free Health Clinic
The Farmington Hills mosque hopes its 8th annual open house will build understanding.
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Muslims from all around the country, including the Tawheed Center of Farmington Hills, have hosted open house events to build bridges of understanding.
On June 29, the mosque on 10 Mile Road will host its 8th annual open house, providing local residents with more information about Islam and answers to even their most difficult questions about the religion. The event also includes a free health clinic.
"We felt the need that people don't know us, and they have a fear of the unknown," volunteer coordinator Asim Khan said.
"Many people don't even know this is a mosque or community center," said Dr. Arfaat Khan, a cardiologist with Henry Ford Hospital.
Asim Khan said the center is very busy throughout the week, but especially so on Fridays and Saturdays a children, Muslim and non-Muslim, play basketball in the gymnasium. Youth leagues play all year, with 150 kids participating.
In addition to regular and holiday services, the mosque offers religious school daily during which students memorize the Qur'an, Islam's central holy text. Those students are also home-schooled. Young people can also attend weekend or evening classes; in all, more than 200 children receive religious education.
During Ramadan, the Tawheed Center draws as many as 1,500 Muslims from about an eight-mile radius for services. Asim Khan said members are originally from India, Pakistan, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Bosnia and many other countries. Some are American converts.
No question out of bounds
During the open house, young people will explain various aspects of Islam, while elders answer more specific questions. There will be refreshments, henna application for women, a calligraphy exhibit and booths that address topics of interest, like the role of Jesus in Islam and what are the commonalities among Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Asim Khan said even a question like "why do people do suicide bombing?" is not out of bounds.
"Those are things we can answer," he added. "Plus, I feel this is my opportunity as an individual if I have a friend or neighbor wo wants to know more about my faith, I can talk to him in a kind of neutral event."
The goal of the clinic, Dr. Khan said, is to provide free consultative services to the community, Muslim and non-Muslim. Free blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screenings, and assessments of risk for heart disease and stroke will be part of the event, held in partnership with Henry Ford Health System.
Nurses will do the screenings, then doctors who are specialists can provide more information about any questions that arise.
"You can see different specialists in one day," Dr. Kahn said. About 150 people turned out for last year's clinic, and some were referred for treatment.
Asim Khan said the congregation hopes to have an even larger turnout this year, at the open house and the clinic. The event opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m., and everything is free.
The Tawheed Center is located at 29707 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, and also offers small group tours. Call 248-426-7360 to learn more.
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