Indonesian mosque in New York, center of international religious activities

The Al Hikmah Mosque, built by Indonesians living here, has become the center of religious activities of not only Moslems from Indonesia but those from many other countries as well, Indonesian news agency ANTARA sais quoting a mosque official on Wednesday.

The mosque draws Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, people from the Middle East, even New Yorkers who have converted to Islam, deputy chairman of the mosque's management body, Mohamad Syamsi Ali, has said.

"This mosque does not belong only to Indonesians but to the international community as well. We are very proud of the development," said Syamsi, who is also a member of the US Moslem Council.

The mosque is wide open to people who want to perform prayers five times every day, he said.

Recently, he said, many Moslems have come to the mosque to perform the "Tarawih" prayers, which is usually performed before the fasting month of Ramadan.

He said the mosque's management prepares meals for the breaking of the fast every Saturday and Sunday.

Non-Moslems living here have also shown interest in the Al Hikmah mosque, he said.

Officials of some school and church management bodies are also interested in the mosque and want to visit it during Ramadan, he said.

Syamsi said they want to know Islamic activities during Ramadan notably at the breaking of the fast.

"We certainly welcome them because they want to visit the mosque with a good intention and to know Islam better," he said. The mosque which is located in Astoria, Long Island, was built in 1995 at a cost of US$ 600,000 collected from Indonesian Moslems in New York and the Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry.