Interviews: 20 October 2013
11:30 a.m. Executive Committee Interviews
Abdul-Karim Senussi and Gamil Seraj
1. When was your site founded?
-The Berkeley Masjid Foundation (BMF) formed in April 19, 1990, and in July 23, 1992 the BMF was incorporated as a non-profit religious organization. We started the project in 1997-’98, and were located on the [UC Berkeley] campus. We relocated many times, to Fulton, Channing, Telegraph, and finally to our present location on Derby Street. We got our first building permit on February 8, 2001, and it took 11-12 years to finish. The completed mosque opened in 2011.
2. Who was/were the founder(s)?
-Berkeley Masjid Foundation (BMF) founded and owns the Masjid.
3. Any people of importance?
-There is not just one important person - our local community made it possible. University professors, students, and locals all helped.
4. How did the mosque derive its name?
-Berkeley is the location, and Masjid is the Arabic word for mosque
5. What demographics does the Masjid serve?
-A variety of people: Asians, African Americans, Europeans, families, many students, and 2nd generation Americans.
6. What size is the community, how active is it? What is unique about the community?
The amount of people coming on Friday prayers are around 300, and for major events maybe 500 members attend. Our community is uniquely student-based, especially coming from the UC.
7. Is your site affiliated or partners with any other mosques?
-We collaborate with other mosques sometimes, but we are more focused on serving our local community.
8. Are there any articles or press from outside sources regarding the mosque?-Yes, there were a couple of articles in MSA (Muslim Student Association) magazine, I have a copy, but you can access from the MSA website.
-Here is an article from UC Berkeley's The Daily Californian newspaper, and here is an article from the blog Bay Area Mosques.
9. What kind of structure is your mosque?
-The building used to be a Hindu temple. It is located in a residential pocket, but relatively close to other churches, the Berkeley Ballet Theater, and a community center.
10. Is the masjid involved in any community projects?
-Yes, students prepare and pass out meals in People’s Park on Fridays, we help out at home shelters for women, do charities, and fundraising events. For example, if one of our members is going through a hardship, we have a donation fund for that individual throughout the Masjid. Anyone who is able to help out may donate money to their cause or even bring some food.
11. What events do they have or have participated in?
-We have Friday night Islamic study circles, adult Arabic classes, weekend Islamic school for children, a study area for students, an Islamic library with English translations of the Qur'an and multi-lingual scholarly texts, community potlucks, free daily community iftars during Ramadan, taraweeh prayer services led by a Hafiz-e-Quran, and Eid prayer services.
12. What services does the Masjid offer?
-We offer Islamic Sunday school, health, legal, marriage, death, services, counseling, and youth programs.
13. Have there been any significant milestones in the Masjid's history?
-Of course, the Masjid is relatively young so the struggle to establish a permanent location, and the opening of the completed refurbished building is a significant milestone. Providing a center for the Berkeley Muslim community is our goal and we are reaching it every day.
14. Has the Berkeley Masjid published any materials?
-No, but we are looking to soon.
15. Do they have any documents to share?
-Yes we do have photos documenting the remodeling of the Masjid on our website.
16. Have they been involved in any important legal cases?
-No, but if anyone needs any legal assistance we direct people to attain expert advice with CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) or MLFA (Muslim Legal Fund of America).
17. Have they, as a mosque/community experienced discrimination? Hate crimes?
-No - we actually experienced the opposite. When we celebrate Ramadan, we knock on the doors of our neighbors to let them know in advance, and there is no trouble or complaint.
18. What kind of community engagement do they have?
-We support a Muslim community and of course anyone who is interested.
1. When was your site founded?
-The Berkeley Masjid Foundation (BMF) formed in April 19, 1990, and in July 23, 1992 the BMF was incorporated as a non-profit religious organization. We started the project in 1997-’98, and were located on the [UC Berkeley] campus. We relocated many times, to Fulton, Channing, Telegraph, and finally to our present location on Derby Street. We got our first building permit on February 8, 2001, and it took 11-12 years to finish. The completed mosque opened in 2011.
2. Who was/were the founder(s)?
-Berkeley Masjid Foundation (BMF) founded and owns the Masjid.
3. Any people of importance?
-There is not just one important person - our local community made it possible. University professors, students, and locals all helped.
4. How did the mosque derive its name?
-Berkeley is the location, and Masjid is the Arabic word for mosque
5. What demographics does the Masjid serve?
-A variety of people: Asians, African Americans, Europeans, families, many students, and 2nd generation Americans.
6. What size is the community, how active is it? What is unique about the community?
The amount of people coming on Friday prayers are around 300, and for major events maybe 500 members attend. Our community is uniquely student-based, especially coming from the UC.
7. Is your site affiliated or partners with any other mosques?
-We collaborate with other mosques sometimes, but we are more focused on serving our local community.
8. Are there any articles or press from outside sources regarding the mosque?-Yes, there were a couple of articles in MSA (Muslim Student Association) magazine, I have a copy, but you can access from the MSA website.
-Here is an article from UC Berkeley's The Daily Californian newspaper, and here is an article from the blog Bay Area Mosques.
9. What kind of structure is your mosque?
-The building used to be a Hindu temple. It is located in a residential pocket, but relatively close to other churches, the Berkeley Ballet Theater, and a community center.
10. Is the masjid involved in any community projects?
-Yes, students prepare and pass out meals in People’s Park on Fridays, we help out at home shelters for women, do charities, and fundraising events. For example, if one of our members is going through a hardship, we have a donation fund for that individual throughout the Masjid. Anyone who is able to help out may donate money to their cause or even bring some food.
11. What events do they have or have participated in?
-We have Friday night Islamic study circles, adult Arabic classes, weekend Islamic school for children, a study area for students, an Islamic library with English translations of the Qur'an and multi-lingual scholarly texts, community potlucks, free daily community iftars during Ramadan, taraweeh prayer services led by a Hafiz-e-Quran, and Eid prayer services.
12. What services does the Masjid offer?
-We offer Islamic Sunday school, health, legal, marriage, death, services, counseling, and youth programs.
13. Have there been any significant milestones in the Masjid's history?
-Of course, the Masjid is relatively young so the struggle to establish a permanent location, and the opening of the completed refurbished building is a significant milestone. Providing a center for the Berkeley Muslim community is our goal and we are reaching it every day.
14. Has the Berkeley Masjid published any materials?
-No, but we are looking to soon.
15. Do they have any documents to share?
-Yes we do have photos documenting the remodeling of the Masjid on our website.
16. Have they been involved in any important legal cases?
-No, but if anyone needs any legal assistance we direct people to attain expert advice with CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) or MLFA (Muslim Legal Fund of America).
17. Have they, as a mosque/community experienced discrimination? Hate crimes?
-No - we actually experienced the opposite. When we celebrate Ramadan, we knock on the doors of our neighbors to let them know in advance, and there is no trouble or complaint.
18. What kind of community engagement do they have?
-We support a Muslim community and of course anyone who is interested.
12 p.m. Member Interviews
Sadiq: a member of the mosque
1. How long have you been a member here? -I've been here since the beginning. 2. Where are you from? -I'm from Arizona. 3. What do you like best about the Masjid? -I really like the community and the kids here. 4. What is your involvement here? -I help out and am part of the administration for Sunday school 5. What are your hopes for the future of the mosque? - Well, even if it's unrealistic, I hope we can somehow get a parking lot because there is not a lot of space here. Also a grocery store, basically the things that will make the mosque self-sustainable. |
Hannah: a member of the mosque
1. How long have you been a member here? -I've been here since the beginning of the fall semester, 2013. 2. Where are you from? -Southern California 3. What do you like best about the Masjid?-The majority of mosque members are university students - it is a unique environment here. 4. What is your involvement here? -I volunteer at the Sunday school, and am part of the administration in Qur'an curriculum. 5. What are your hopes for the future of the mosque? -That we develop more youth outreach groups for middle and high school students. |