The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Your smile in the face of your brother is a charity." This is proof that sometimes the smallest actions may make the biggest difference, actions we never foresee may change another's life.  This is the story of a new Muslim sister who recently declared her shahada, and wanted to share her experience at the Mosque Foundation.

My first visit to the Masjid

For a very long time I have been searching for a masjid to attend to take classes on Islam and the Qur'an.  Many attempts were made by two of my good friends to locate masjids for me that I could call to ask about classes. One in particular caught my eye, which was given to me by brother Zia. It was the Mosque Foundation located on 93rd and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. The masjid is far from my home, but I thought that any masjid I chose to attend would be far from where I live because I do not live in a Muslim community.

Yesterday after my job interview I decided to go for a visit. On the bus ride there I was nervous because I had never been inside a masjid before and I was afraid of not knowing where to go and who to talk to. I kept thinking on the bus ride there...what should I say? Who should I talk to? Will I be looked at differently because my hair is not covered? And even though I had on a long skirt with a loose fitting blouse, it was short sleeved because I had just come from a job interview, and the weather was 95 degrees that day.  I guess I was also afraid of walking inside all by myself, and I wasn't even sure about which bus stop to get off at because I never took the bus that goes to the suburbs. So I was basically nervous about many things, but I still persisted.

While I was on the bus, I noticed a Muslim woman in the front standing near the bus driver because all the seats were full. The man sitting next to me offered his seat to her and she accepted. I thought maybe I should ask her how to get to the masjid because I did not want to get off at the wrong stop. It turned out that asking her was the best thing I did because we began to talk during the entire bus ride there.  I learned her name is Dounia and she is Moroccan, and she offered to walk with me to the masjid.  She stayed with me there the entire time. I felt so happy because I met a new friend and I no longer felt nervous. We began to talk about Islam, our families, and which universities we attend.  Alhamdulillah for meeting such a kind and friendly person.

When I got there, it was prayer time so I was able to see how prayer is performed. I found it surprising that there were only two women there praying in the entire Masjid.  After prayer, a Muslim sister who worked there directed us to the Imam/Director Jamal M. Said, and we went into his office to speak to him. My conversations with the Imam made me feel like he cared about wanting to help me. He first began to ask me about my family and what religion I grew up with, and then he asked me questions about what made me become interested in Islam, so I began to explain why.  I also began to cry and get emotional because I told him how I feel all alone in my community and how I had no other Muslim sisters around me in Chicago who I could talk with.

Nobody understands Islam where I live, especially in my family, and I wish I knew a way to get my family to understand and respect that this is what I want to do with my life. I will still be the same person, with the same personality.  I love them the way they are, why can't they do the same for me? The Imam told me that he could tell I was very sincere in my interest in Islam, not only through my tears, but also by the way I talked about Islam and all the things that interested me about it.  He told me that I should keep in contact with the masjid, and keep learning as much as I could. He also told me about classes and programs at the masjid.  He said he would be willing to accommodate my schedule since I have school if I have any questions or need more help.

I left the Imam's office, and Dounia and I exchanged numbers and emails, and I left the masjid feeling so happy. I had never felt so happy before. The atmosphere was so amazing because nobody looked at me like I was a stranger or someone who did not belong, The Imam, and all the sisters there were so friendly and made me feel very welcomed. I wish I could attend the masjid everyday, but I know my schedule won't allow me to.  I have classes in the evening, and hopefully, if I get that job I interviewed for insha'allah, I will be working from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm almost everyday, but I want to try to get there once or twice a week if I can, and I especially want to attend when the evening classes are offered.