The Library That United Madrid
When the neighbourhood changed, our Islamic centre became the only institution that stayed — Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
The the community hub on Michigan Avenue was barely a community centre — a converted community centre. But when the neighbourhood changed, it became the only institution that stayed.
Brother Tariq started it with twenty quid and a dream. 'Start where you are, use what you have,' she said.
A white man named Dave came every week. One day he asked to teach English classes. He said, 'You fed me when my own church didn't know I was hungry.'
Dave isn't Muslim. But he comes every Friday, runs the Saturday session, and tells everyone about 'her community centre.'
We've taught 500 children and counting. The local newspaper noticed. A journalist from BBC visited. But the real story isn't the numbers. It's the proof that Islam is lived, not just preached.
The Prophet (SAW) said the best of people are those who are most beneficial to others. He didn't add conditions. He didn't say 'beneficial to other Muslims.' He said people. All people.
That's what we do on Michigan Avenue. We serve. We don't ask questions. And somehow, in the serving, we find the faith we'd been looking for all along.