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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. - The Islamic Center of Peekskill has been in existence for more than 20 years, but the small congregation is making an effort to reach out to the greater community.
The center had an informal open house Saturday to invite anyone to view its recently renovated second-floor quarters on North Division Street and meet some of their Muslim neighbors.
"To us, prayers is not these four walls. The whole Earth is a prayer place," explained Imam Papa Sall, an Ossining resident and director of the center since 1999. "We want to somewhat break the ice. Everyone is welcomed to come to this house of worship to seek spirituality or if they have curiosity."
Sall said about 12 Muslim families reside in Peekskill and The Islamic Center of Peekskill has a core group of members, drawing between 25 and 30 people to daily prayer services, which are conducted five times a day.
More than 1.2 billion people worldwide practice Islam, which provides humankind with a unified view about the purpose of creation and existence. It's most important belief is Tawhid, which implies everything that exists originates from one creator.
"It's not a big congregation but we're here and we're an established group," Sall said. "We're striving to enhance spirituality. Part of the creed is to fulfill the needs of neighbors."
Sall said sometimes Peekskill members unite with other Muslims from Montrose, Ossining and Mohegan Lake, where a larger center exists in the former Franciscan High School on Lexington Avenue.
He said The Islamic Center of Peekskill has not encountered any problems from anyone.
"It's been a smooth ride from end to end. We have good relations with authorities at all ends," Sall said. "It's been peaceful for us and the message we're trying to get out is this is our religion. The burden of proof lies on us to prove we're here and to make sure everyone has the best impression of our religion and that comes through our conduct and how we interact with people."
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