Iman Rachid Khould (l) and Ann Sullivan
The Program: President Gary introduced our “Rotarian of the Day”, Ann K. Sullivan. Ann is a long time Rotarian having been a member of this club and the Norfolk Sunrise Club, before returning to our club in 2013. She is an experienced and highly regarded attorney with her own firm, the “Sullivan Law Group.” Her practice focuses on litigation, particularly employment related matters. Her civic involvement includes serving on the Civil Service Commission for Norfolk, and on the Board of Fest Events and the Muse Writers Center.
Ann introduced our speaker for today, Imam Rachid Khould, of the Crescent Community Center, Virginia Beach. Imam Khould was born in Morocco and after high school lived in Brussels, Belgium, where he pursued his studies of languages. He speaks fluent Arabic, French, English and Spanish. He came to the United States in 1988 to further his studies in comparative literature at City College in New York.
His studies of literature, languages, and his faith led him to read and think more and more about the intersection of Islam and life in the United States. Eventually he relocated to Virginia Beach and began attending services at the mosque in Norfolk, and soon thereafter, leading prayer services. In 2009 he was named the Imam for the first mosque in Virginia Beach. In 2014 he started a group to establish an interfaith exchange so that the community could learn more about his mosque and its members, and members of his mosque could also learn about neighboring churches. Since then he has spoken to churches, temples, schools, colleges and civic groups, all towards creating a better, more accurate understanding of Islam. Recently he was asked to lead an invocation at a Virginia Beach public event, a welcomed opportunity that reflects the inclusiveness of the city.
Imam Khould opened his talk with the traditional Muslim greeting: “As Salam-u- Alaikum”, followed by “Peace Be With You” and “Shalom”, the similar Christian and Jewish greetings.
He indicated that Islam is in part based on the scriptures found in the Old and New Testaments, but as expanded and related by the Prophet Muhammed, 650 years after Christ. Muslims believe that Mohammed was a prophet who received and recorded in the Quran the word of God. The belief in one God is a common core belief for all three faiths. Whether God is called Yahweh, God, or Allah, he is the one true God.
Imam Khould indicated that by his speaking to various groups he is trying to “build bridges” and to educate the community. Today people are bombarded with false impressions of Muslims and he and other members of his mosque try to inform the public about their faith.
“Imam” means “pastor” or “rabbi”, similar to what Christians and Jews call their religious leaders. An Imam leads services in the mosque by giving talks on righteous topics, and leading the group in prayer.
Peace and respect for others is at the center of Islam, but he recognizes that faith and religion are often distorted by politics. “Religion can be sandwiched between politics.”
Among the problems that give rise to the political unrest in the Mid-East are poverty, lack of jobs and political instability. College degrees do not result in meaningful employment, and lack of employment makes it difficult to establish stable families or to have hope for the future. Lack of hope, frustration, and despair results in anger towards establishments, whether governments or foreign businesses. These conditions also are fertile grounds for those who would distort Islam for their own political purposes.
There are approximately 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, with large concentrations in South Central Asian countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and also in Egypt and Nigeria, in Africa. Of course, Muslims are a large part of the population in both Arab and non-Arab nations in the Mid-East.
In describing his faith, Imam Khould identified five “Pillars of Islam”:
First: There is but one God, Allah. This is a fundamental core value and belief in monotheism, “One God, the Eternal or Absolute, there is none like unto him.” Although Muslims recognize Jesus as a prophet, they reject the idea of the Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is central to the Christian faith.
Second: Prayer. Muslims are called to pray five (5) times daily. God is great and the time for prayer is for God. Our time to praise God and give him thanks.
Third: Charity. As a religion based on respect for others and the same moral teachings as found in the Old and New Testaments, charity is central to Islam. Muslims believe that it is a religious obligation for those who are able to be charitable. Thus, where possible, Muslims are obligated by their faith to contribute 2.5% of their net earnings to charity.
Fourth: Fasting. During the 9th month of the Muslim calendar, Ramadan, Muslims are called to fast from sunrise to sundown. The idea is to turn away from bodily pursuits and to turn towards and focus on God.
Fifth: Pilgrimage. The obligatory Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca is for every able body Muslim who can afford to make the pilgrimage at least once in his or her life.
Imam Khould packed a lot in his twenty minutes, and it was apparent that he was a man of faith who sought to build bridges of understanding. Most people understand that the Quran has been distorted and misused by radical extremists. Most people would also agree that Muslims in the United States and throughout the world are peaceful people, trying to make a living and trying to provide a future for their families and children, just like their Christian and Jewish neighbors. But a lack of understanding, a lack of interaction and differences in cultural customs and traditions create fears and distrust. Fear, distrust, and misunderstandings are defeated by interaction, by knowledge of Islam and a better understanding of the things and beliefs we all share, in essence, building bridges.
The Meeting: The meeting was called to order by President Gary Boswick, who called upon Eleanor Schoonover, with Frank Whitman on the piano, to lead us in song. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, President Gary led us in “The Four Way Test.” Bob Latimer gave the invocation.
Jim Baker provided a visitation report. Bob Ash is continuing his difficult road to recovery from his accident. He is at home and continuing extensive physical therapy. Shep Miller had heart surgery on Monday and is at Norfolk Sentara.
Chick Robison introduced our guests who included past District Governor, Bill Pollard, who introduced his guest, Jeff Poston.
Sharon Laderberg gave an update/report on several of our alternative meetings, including a recently conducted tour of the new Norfolk Courts Building led by our own Judge Bruce Wilcox. Upcoming opportunities include a tour of the new “transformed” “ICON”, formerly the Bank of America building, scheduled for January 23rd from 11:00 to 12:00, and also a special tour of the Norfolk Botanical Gardens set for February 14th, from 11:00 to 12:00. Stay tuned for more news and updates on these and other opportunities for 2018!
Lisa Sands provided what promises to be one of several announcements on our Spring Fund Raiser, “Suds and Buds”, and solicited ideas or suggestions from the membership for sponsors.
Members are encouraged to visit the web page for a list of upcoming activities and dates.
Lois Kercher threw her hat or hats into the ring in her pitch for supporting the Rotary Foundation and our own Norfolk Rotary Endowment. She was ably assisted by new member Jason Drane, who fielded her questions. President Gary reminded us of the effectiveness of Rotary International by recalling that there were 350,000 cases of polio in 1985 when Rotary International started the campaign to eradicate polio, and only 8 cases in 2017. Remember EREY!
President Gary also reminded us all that make ups for November are due by December 14th, and the next Board meeting will be on December 11th at Kaufman & Canoles’ offices. Our Holiday Party will be at the “TED” on December 19th, and anyone with any suggestions or wanting to assist should contact Susan Dunn.
“Happy Bucks”
- Sharon Laderberg, a “frequent contributor”, was recognized for being on TV on a spot featuring “Uniquely Yours Bridal” for its support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
- Michelle Nettles and Anthony Mia, both offered praise for their family members who finished successful collegiate football seasons.
- Lastly, Pam Tubbs offered up a $10.00 tribute to her beloved South Carolina Gamecocks, who managed only that many points in their recent loss to powerhouse Clemson Tigers.
- Birthdays were announced as follows: Bob Ash, Ted Baker, Mal Branch, Caleb Cooper, Mike Goldsmith, Joel Heaton, Jack Kavanaugh, Angela Kerns, Will King, Dyteya Lewis, Barbara Lifland, Joe Massey, John McLemore, and Anthony Walters.
After a cheerful “Happy Birthday” by the Club, those adding a year this month were relieved of $2.00.
Chuck Spence won the daily raffle, but failed to draw the queen of spades.
Next week our speaker will be Don Luzzatto, Vice President of Civic Engagement at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.