Muslims worship in Lake Highlands in 2017. Photo by Danny Fulgencio.

If you live in northern Lake Highlands or send children to schools and activities in Richardson ISD, you’ve no doubt passed the massive, impressive, perpetually populated, golden-domed Islamic Center of North Texas on Abrams, one of North Texas’ largest mosques and home of the Islamic Association of North Texas.

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Last weekend, the mosque opened its sparkling-glass doors and encouraged non-Islamic neighbors to visit and learn.

Open Mosque Day was a collaboration by three Muslim organizations — WhyIslam, GainPeace and the IANT — to “provide an opportunity for neighbors to get acquainted with Muslim neighbors and deepen understanding of Muslim faith.”

Richardson’s mayor Paul Voelker told attendees that his City is home to more than 75 houses of worship. He spoke of the importance of — not recruiting — but of understanding one another’s faith.

The Advocate has highlighted various worship types in Lake Highlands. We understand there is a large community of practicing Muslims in our neighborhood and schools. We have also written about the Muslim faith among Syrian and Afghanistan refugees living in Lake Highlands.

Organizers of the open house — which featured food, henna art and opportunities to ask questions and try on a hijab, among other things — noted a recent increase in Islamophobia as impetus for this year’s event.

“The current political climate has created an environment of mistrust, and also a curiosity to learn more,” says GainPeace director Dr. Sabel Ahmed, who adds that the annually held (when pandemics are under control) open house can help people of varying religions to get to know one another.

While the open-house event was well attended (by 200, according to Texas Standard‘s Stella Chavez), you might have missed it.

But you can listen to the entire presentation here, courtesy of Dr. Ahmed.