Oshkosh, WI USA: Muslim group holds meeting about mosque

Ahmad welcomed all questions over the course of the hour-long forum, saying they were “mostly in the spirit of what we wanted.” He made it clear that Ahmadi Muslims had taken a strong stance against all forms of terrorism, a response many in the crowd seemed interested in hearing.

Khurram Ahmad, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Oshkosh
is addressing the introductory meeting.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Northwestern
By Jeff Bollier | October 15, 2010

The prophet Muhammad would open the doors of his mosque to Christian travelers seeking a place to worship.

In that same spirit, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community leader Khurram Ahmad promised “an open door going forward” should the group secure permission to open a mosque and community center on the city's west side Thursday.

Khurram Ahmad told close to 100 people gathered for an informational meeting that the community's members want to be good neighbors as they attempt to open the mosque and community center into a former funeral home at 300 N. Eagle St.


“We want to be a neighbor that helps this neighborhood grow, this community grow,” Ahmad said. “When one of us is here, anyone who comes here is welcome.”

It was a tense meeting, at times contentious, as Ahmad and the other Ahmadi Muslims in the Oshkosh area sought an open dialogue with neighbors, concerned citizens and residents who know members of the group through interfaith outreach programs and over the past two decades.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have been meeting for years in a member's basement until they were able to find a site for a permanent location.

A handful of those at the meeting raised questions about the group's position on tensions in the Middle East and whether the sect adheres to interpretations of Islamic law, called Sharia, that have been imposed in some radical Islamic societies.

Ahmad said those interpretations are not true to the spirit of Sharia. In fact, he said, the culture of the United States best reflects the Sharia values of morality, charity, free speech and free religion.

"They may say they're implementing Sharia, but it's their closed view of it. In many aspects this is the only country in the world that adheres to Sharia," Ahmad said.

Those questions were easily outnumbered by questions about traffic volume, how frequently the building would be used and supportive welcomes.

“There are those of us who know these people. These are fine community members,” said Carol Meeuwsen-Jones, who worked with members of the Islamic sect while some were students at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. “We have to make room for them.”

There are about 45 Ahmadi Muslims in the area, but next-door neighbor Jane Katsune and others said what concerns them is how frequently the building would be in use.

The group expects to hold five small, daily prayer meetings, regular weekend events, educational sessions and dinners. The neighbors worry that would generate a steady stream of traffic unlike Oshkosh West High School or the Red Arrow Park.

“As a community, I could not ask for better neighbors. We are open to however people worship,” Katsune said. “But they're not thinking there will be as much traffic as there will be.”

Hawk Street resident Andrew Benoit attended to gauge the community's reaction to the plan and to gather more information for himself about their plans and perspectives. Whether it's a good fit for the location remains “up for debate yet.”

“I'm curious. I'd like to get some more information, but they seem pretty accommodating,” Benoit said.

Katsune appreciated the forum and open invitation to talk further.

“They did answer, to the best degree they could right now, my concerns,” she said. “We have to look at planning both now and in the future.”

Ahmad welcomed all questions over the course of the hour-long forum, saying they were “mostly in the spirit of what we wanted.” He made it clear that Ahmadi Muslims had taken a strong stance against all forms of terrorism, a response many in the crowd seemed interested in hearing.

“Islam means peace and Muslims are for peace,” he said. “We are the people you should look at to know the true, peaceful aspects of Islam. It is our mission to make our surroundings, our community, a better place.”

– Jeff Bollier: (920) 426-6688 or jbollier@thenorthwestern.com.





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