When he first introduced himself to the Amherst community in 2006, Chaplain Abdelaal and fellow Egyptian Muslim Brother Mohamed Hassan, a “visiting scholar in linguistics (?) ” discussed the explosive growth of the local Muslim community.
I want nothing more than for the entire world to submit to Allah.
Abdelaal remarked that “the closest mosque had been in West Springfield.” and Hassan joked that “It was high time to start a place and have an anchor [in Amherst].”
Hassan, a member of Hampshire Mosque Inc, may still be studying linguistics in the area, or he may be helping with a small family business.
The Explosive Growth
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In April 2010, Dr. Hazratji explained that “just two to five people” will come to his mosque for daily prayers, and “around 50 people will attend Friday services.” By June, when the mosque had to cancel its proposed move because the Harkness Rd property did not support their primary objective for continued expansion (and because of the bigotry of the Amherst community), he was anticipating “bringing in 40-60 people“, a 25% increase in just two months.
Hazratji explained that “We don’t have any target property right now that appeals to us.” At the same time the Islamic Society sent Springfield realtor Ali Awkal, who “actively scouted parcels around the region for months” for a cemetery because “… now there is a large influx of people from India, Pakistan and the middle Eastern area and the community [Ummah] is getting big in number. That is why we need a cemetery.”
Ali Awkal also shared his thoughts on Jewish and Christian burial practices, a subject to which young Muslims are often introduced in childhood.
