a mosque is a place of unity — a place to worship, to learn, to form bonds with others
For the estimated 50,000 Muslims living in the Denver metro area, as well as the 100,000 living statewide, a mosque is a place of unity — a place to worship, to learn, to form bonds with others.
“A mosque is the main place of gathering for the community,” said Littleton resident Linda Ally, who frequents the Golden, Lakewood and Denver mosques. “It’s what helps keep the community held together.”
Muslims gather at mosques, not only to pray, but also for weddings, condolences when a person dies, to celebrate a baby’s birth.
“Islam is really beautiful because the people are tied to each other,” said Siddiqui, a technology systems consultant. “I’ve made friends that, hopefully, I’ll know for the rest of my life.”
A person can visit any mosque that is convenient, Ally said, and some people attend different mosques depending on the programs taking place. Programs include teaching lectures that cover everything from prayer duties, to being there for family, to helping others. Most mosques also offer a weekend school with lessons to learn Arabic, or memorize the Quran, the central religious text of Islam.
In fact, a person doesn’t have to be Muslim to participate in many of the social gatherings, Linda Ally said. Sometimes, her non-Muslim college friends would accompany her to some of the mosque’s social gatherings.
And it’s that welcoming environment to the community that makes mosques special, she said.
