Gathering to Celebrate and Build a Better Future

On August 20th people in Marymoor Park will celebrated food and much more at CHOMP!, sponsored in part by King County and PCC Markets. Not just a food fest, Chomp! drew the diverse community of Redmond together to learn about being better neighbors through sustainable local food production. Bountiful natural and human resources of the Northwest encourage us to share our blessings. But even without rain and soil the gathering of people to share their blessings is an ancient practice.

When Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) left his beautiful strong wife, Hagar, and their son, Ishmael in a deserted dry rocky valley in the Arabian desert 4,000 years-ago, he did so in humble submission to the command of God. With amazing love for The One God, Abraham and his family trusted that The Sustainer would provide for them. Hagar ran seven times between the barren hills of As-Safa and Al-Marawah near Makkah searching for water, when she discovered to her joy water springing up to the surface near the feet of her little boy. That spring still flows in the well of Zam Zam for quenching the thirst of pilgrims. For each year Muslims gather from all over the world to run between As-Safa and al-Marwah as part of their ultimate journey, Hajj, the annual pilgrimage. They set out on this journey of patience to endure whatever may befall them, humbly sacrificing the comforts of home in pursuit of God’s pleasure. Dressed in the simple pilgrim garb of two unstitched pieces of white cloth (for men) they call out “Here I am, O my Lord, here I am!” as they circle the Ancient Sacred house of worship, the Ka’aba. Days pass as the pilgrims converge in their observance of the Hajj, 5th the fifth pillar of Islam.

Islam means peace and together these peaceful pilgrims learn important truths that work to sustain humanity, such as ways to overcome racism. El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) wrote to the USA from Mecca in 1964,. “America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem.” He said, “I have made seven circuits around the Ka’aba, led by a young (an aid to the Muslims who don't know the rituals and rites pilgrimage) named Muhammad. I drank water from the well of Zam Zam. I ran seven times back and forth between the hills of Mt. Al-Safa and Al-Marawah. I have prayed in the ancient city of Mina, and I have prayed on Mt. Arafat…and in the words and in the actions in the deeds of the ‘white’ Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan, and Ghana.” Islam also teaches how Muslims unable to make pilgrimage celebrate this sacred time when God clarified that literal human sacrifice was not acceptable. Animal sacrifice to feed those in need is acceptable but requires care, reverence, and sharing.

According to the Islamic calendar pilgrims from all over the world will be in Mecca observing the Hajj on September 11. Also on September 11, 2016, the Seattle Branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community invites one and all to join them at the House of Kindness (Baitul Ehsaan) Mosque, 23515 Old Owen Rd, Monroe for a Day of Unity. Two mobile units from Bloodworks Northwest will conduct a blood drive from 10 am to 4:00 pm. The gracious and open hearted Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation will conduct their Sunday worship service in the mosque, from 11:00 am to noon. Lunch will be served, then from 11:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The interfaith program "Standing together in Difficult Times" features comments from a panel of community leaders and an introduction to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. One year ago the Ahmadi Muslims came to their new mosque in Monroe. This Day of Unity shares the blessings of this past year of sustained growth at the Abode of Kindness. Please come enjoy this peaceful pluralistic gathering.

Please come and enjoy this peaceful pluralistic gathering. Anyone interested in donating blood at the mosque on September 11, 2016 may register at https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org. or call 1-800-398-7888