Building Relationships

by Lena Tleib

Operations Assistant

For many years the Mosque Foundation has put forth a substantial amount of effort to reach out to local schools, churches, and community organizations to build relationships.  When relationships are formed, it helps minimize or eliminate misunderstandings about cultural differences and/or religion, and improves the relationship between Muslims and the surrounding community members.  On Sunday, March 6, 2011 the Mosque Foundation was honored by a visit from the Chicago Ridge Police Department.  The Department's representatives requested to meet with the Mosque Foundation’s Director to simply break the ice in order to establish a good social and professional relationship. Chicago Ridge has a large Arab-Muslim population, and the department is interested in working to improve the relationship with the mosque and the village residents. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Mosque Foundation leadership was invited to visit the police station.  The Director and Vice President, Imam Jamal Said and Oussama Jammal, are planning to visit the station to meet some of the officers and the chief of police in the near future.  We pray that these efforts will help improve the relationship between the Arab-Muslim population and the police department of Chicago Ridge.

The Police Department is located at 10425 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Chicago Ridge, Illinois60415.  Their non-emergency number is (708) 425-7831.  If you live in Chicago Ridge, please voice your appreciation to the Chief of Police and the Department for reaching out to our mosque and community.