US mosque hosts event aimed at dispelling myths about Islam

Illinois has opened its mosque to the public for the second time in three years

The Islamic Foundation of Peoria on Salaam Drive in North Peoria, Illinois has opened its mosque to the public for the second time in three years.

The interfaith group hosting “Know Islam, Know Peace” addressed and dispelled anti-Muslim attitudes growing in central Illinois. The event is designed to de-mystify Islam for people who have never been inside a mosque. 

The event featured speakers, both Christian and Jewish, from the Central Illinois Interfaith Alliance

“There is a lot of suspicion and a lot of hate out there,” Imam Kamil Muftisaid. “This is what we can do to address people’s questions, show them what a mosque is like, show them what we do here, show them where we pray, and show them the classrooms where about 100 students come every Sunday.

There are about 20,000 Muslims in Peoria County, an estimate based on 2010 data from the Association of Religious Data Archives.