On September 24, 2015, several Baltimore area masaajid convened in Carroll Park to offer a historic, unified, Eid ul Adha prayer. This was the first time that more than two masaajid have come together to offer the Eid prayer since the late 1990s. It is also the first time that some of the participating communities have ever worked together.
An estimated two thousand congregants—men, women, and children from Masjid ul Haqq, Masjid al Ihsan, Masjid ‘Umar, Masjid Baitullah, Masjid Khalifah, Masjid al Inshirah (Peace Center) and the Muslim Community Cultural Center of Baltimore--all formed ranks in the balmy autumn air to pray together in a tangible demonstration of mutual cooperation and unity.
“The goal,” as articulated by the Amir of Masjid ul Haqq, Hakim Lucky, “was to reunite the various Muslims throughout the city. We wanted to show that differences in opinion don’t necessarily mean that we can’t work together on some commonalities.”
Allah’s Apostle (salallahu alayhe wa sallam) said, “Whoever prays like us and faces our Qibla, and eats our slaughtered animals is a Muslim, and is under Allah’s and His Apostle’s protection. So do not betray Allah by betraying those who are in His protection.” Bukhari
Imam Mursi of Masjid Baitullah encouraged the gatherers to fill the park with the sound of the takbir, tasbeeh, and tahmeed. Then, Khateeb Saafir Rabb reminded the worshipers about the significance of the day and challenged them to continue to work together. After the prayer, families ate. Many received dhabeehah meat that had been donated by the Turkish masjid. Clad in varying attire that represents the true diversity of Islam, families and friends shared hugs and posed together for pictures. Children and adults ventured over to a miniature Ka’aba that served as a visual aid as they listened to a brief presentation on the rites of Hajj. Appeals were made from the microphone for the Muslims to collectively support the work of area Muslim organizations.
On Saturday, a follow-up activity--Muslim Family Fun Day—was held at Hanlon Park. From basketball games and face-painting to congregational prayer and piñatas, Muslims representing many of the area masaajid came out for a day of fun, relaxation, and worship.
The initial planning for the unified activities started before Ramadhan. At that point, Masaajid ul Haqq, Ihsan, and ‘Umar made a decision to collaborate on the upcoming holiday prayer. Collectively known as “Bmore Unified”, organizers put together a joint Eid ul Fitr prayer and barbecue in Gwynn Oak Park. Other masaajid were invited to participate, but some declined for various reasons, including the fact that some have already established their own holiday traditions.
Decades ago, in the late 70s, the first Baltimore joint Eid was held in Herring Run Park. That effort was spear-headed by masaajid as-Saffat and Mu’mineen, with many members of the burgeoning immigrant community in attendance.
For several years thereafter, the Eid prayers would alternate between Druid Hill Park in West Baltimore and Herring Run Park in East Baltimore. For Eid ul Adha, Muslims from around the City would often gather at the Greenspring Valley home of Dr. Javed Shafi to witness the slaughter and enjoy the feast after the prayer.
As the weather conditions changed and communities grew, area leaders sought alternate locations. Joint prayers were held at the Pikesville Armory and the Palladium Ballroom in Baltimore. The construction of Masjid Rahmah in Baltimore County provided the first large, Muslim-controlled venue for the prayers. Some City worshipers prayed there, while others continued to pray at alternate locations around the City.
Then, City-wide, multi-community observances ceased.
About twenty years have passed since unified Eids were the city-wide norm in Baltimore. Ideological and cultural differences, the growing number of area Muslims, and inclement weather hindered efforts to plan activities together. Still, many Muslims, particularly the Muslims who could remember when many groups prayed Eid together, felt nostalgic about those times. This sentiment was particularly evident on social media where area Muslims would lament separation and division. The Facebook group, BAM! Baltimore Area Muslims, organized two post-Eid, citywide picnics. Another group followed suit. The desire to revisit this old City tradition of trying to get all of the Muslims together again took root.
The Bmore Unified effort is an on-going project. The goal, in shaa’allah, is to continue to dialogue and come together to discuss matters of concern to area Muslims.
“We hope to form a working body of leaders to address the various economic, social and educational demands in Baltimore,” Ameer Hakim shared. “We hope that we can come together and support one another in building a larger Muslim community. The only condition is that we all must be willing to participate and be considerate of one another's ideological stances.”
The group plans to investigate options for holding city-wide events during the winter season, in shaa’allah.
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