Muslims throughout Maryland are determined to make a positive difference in their communities, said the president of the Maryland Muslim Council, an organization consisting of Muslims in Baltimore, Montgomery and Howard counties.
“We want to bring the community together,” said Anwer Hasan, president of the council, which formed last November and has professional, social and public policy goals.
“The council is forming a business association of Muslim business owners throughout the state to offer support to one another.”
The council sponsored a dinner last month that attracted a who?s who of Howard County, including County Executive James Robey, County Council members and candidates for state and local offices.
“We had about 100 people who attended, and the whole purpose was for us to understand who are leaders are and for the leaders to understand their constituents,” Hasan said.
As Muslims in Howard County prepare to open the $2.5 million Dar Al-Taqwa, the county?s first mosque, this summer, they said they are looking forward to having a central location for community activities.
“A lot of people are attracted to Howard County because of the good educational system,” said Hasan.
“It will be the center from which everything is run,” said Sayed Hassan, former president of the board of directors of Dar Al-Taqwa.
Food and clothing drives are also part of the council?s outreach efforts, said Hasan.
“Last year, more than 10,000 pounds of food was donated … to the needy. We also raised $15,000 to help victims of Hurricane Katrina,” he said.
By the numbers
» Maryland?s Muslim population is 200,000, about 65 percent of whom are immigrants and 35 percent of whom are indigenous.
» In Howard County, there are between 10,000 and 15,000 Muslims.
Source: Maryland Muslim Council
