The People - Interviews
Imam Sayyid
9/1/13 at 8:30 p.m.
Fatimiyya Islamic Center
I have been the Imam at the Fatimiyya Center for 3 years. I was born and raised in Qom, the capital of Shia located in Iran. When I was young, I used to go to the University for Islamic Studies. My role in the mosque is the Imam and I have several classes and speeches that I lead. I also deal with family issues. We hope to move to the new building in Mission Boulevard and form it into a Qur'anic Institute. My major is Qur'anic Science and the interpretation of the Holy Qur'an. It will be like an academy center that will be focused on education, not only a place for prayer.
On every Tuesday and Thursday we have interpreters come to interpret passage of the Qur'an in Farsi.
When was your site founded?
13-14 years ago. (around 2000)
Who were the founders?
Kanisgah, Farhad Nabi, and Imam Arif Rasti (he passed away a couple years ago). The founders were a group of youth. Originally, many people were attending a center in Oakland but there were some disagreements. Since there was not a mosque in Hayward, they wanted to provide a mosque for the local people. Initially, it was run mostly by people within the ages of 18-30.
Any people of importance?
None besides the founders
How did the mosque derive its name?
Fatimiyya is the Prophet’s daughter’s name and it was fitting to our mosque.
What demographic do you serve?
The majority of the demographic is Afghans. However, we have many converts, such as our brother Envee [sp?]. Since our mosque was founded by youth, it was very youth-centered for a while. Now, it has expanded to include people of all ages.
What size is the community, how active is it? What is unique about the community?
It depends on the program that is occurring at the mosque. For the Friday night English Program and Farsi Program, around 30-40 people show up. The English program started around a month ago, with a mix of different ethic groups. It includes evening prayers, commentary of the Qur'an, and lecture and activity in Shaa Allah, led by Sayyid Abuzar Wahedi. On Thursday nights and Friday mornings, we recite a special prayer and usually 10 people show up for that. I am holding Qiraat classes on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. On Saturday we have Qur’anic Studies that provides Qur'an classes, and is open for all age groups, specifically children, and is led by Maulana Wahedi. I am very excited to provide basic classes for the young people that teaches them about their Islamic faith. That is our focus for now. Our community, in general, is very close because of our small size. The people here are like family. They all depend on one another.
Is your site affiliated or partners with any other mosques?
There is a larger mosque in San Jose, Milpitas, called the Saba Islamic Center. On special events or holidays such as Eid, our mosque combines with their congregation and hold prayers in Elizabeth park.
What kind of structure is your mosque? Is their any information they can offer about the location and prior occupants? Is their historical information you can research on the address? What is the area like?
The mosque is located in a residential area in Hayward, with a few small businesses surrounding it. Connected to the mosque is a Hookah restaurant. The building itself was originally a used store building that was converted to the Islamic Center. Behind the mosque are several homes, but so far the mosque is on peaceful terms with the surrounding houses and stores.
Find out about any projects your mosque is involved in?
We are planning a Sandwich-a-thon that provides meals for the homeless in order to bring awareness to the children about their environment. There is a large homeless community in Hayward. It is important for the children to be hands-on and we regularly bring food on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Foothill and D Street.
What events do you have or have participated in?
We have participated in the Husayn Day Peace Walks with the San Jose Saba Mosque since 2007.
What services do you offer?
Mostly the Saba center in Malpitas offers services, since Fatimiyya is a smaller community. However, I am qualified to do the Islamic marriages, called the Nikah.
Have their been any significant milestones?
We have purchased a new building on Mission Boulevard, a few blocks from here. However, it was bought with a loan and donations are needed for renovation and repayment. We are very excited to expand our building and I hope the community will grow and that we will be able to reach more members. In the back, there is a top area that can be used for a children’s playground area. Since we have many young people, we want to provide a place where they can play and have fun.
Have they published any materials?
No, several speakers have come here with published books, but the mosque itself has not published any materials. However, we carry a full stocked Islamic book store with books on history, hadith, spirituality and more.
Have they been involved in any important legal cases?
No, we have not.
Have they as a mosque/community experience discrimination? Hate crimes?
We have not experienced any discrimination. Our community is very family oriented and peaceful.
What kind of community engagement do you have?
We engage in open house and we encourage inviting people of different backgrounds to the mosque. However, we focus on education, principally focused on the younger generation on the important principles of the Islamic faith.