2004 Press Releases
Photos of American Mosques on Display in Yekaterinburg
May 18, 2004
With the support of the House of Peace and Friendship, an exhibit featuring the architectural styles of American Mosque was opened on May 18th. The exhibit is the work of Dr. Omar Khalidi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who traveled throughout America visiting Mosques and local Muslim Communities. Through the photos, a picture of Muslim life in America can be seen. They illustrate the diversity of the Muslim community in America through the various architectural features.
As America as historically been a country of immigrants, the Muslim community in America is also made up of people from every part of the world. In America today there are between three to six million Muslims and about 2500 mosques. Dr. Khalidi intended to show this diversity through the exhibit and make it a starting point for the discussion of religious tolerance and acceptance. At the opening of the exhibit, the Chairman of the Muslim Elders of Sverdlovsk Oblast, Rais Nurimanov began with a prayer, blessing the exhibit and participants. He went on to share his thoughts on the religious tolerance towards Islam he witnessed first hand through his travels in America. Following the official speeches, Consul General Scott Rauland had a chance to discuss with representatives of the local Muslim community issues that face Muslims in both America and Russia. The exhibit can be seen at the House of Peace and Friendship until May 31st.
