Writer: Meraj Sharif
Editor: Abid Aziz Neel
The city of Beppu as we all know has always been a multicultural city that invites people from all nations and beliefs to come together and live in harmony. A tradition that is still practiced to this day.
This brings us to discuss a certain community that makes up quite a considerable number of residents in Beppu, the Muslim community of Beppu which includes both residents, workers, and students of APU.
Mosques have always been sacred places for Muslims all over the globe as it not only acts as a place of worship but also allow the Muslim community to gather together and unite in common belief and carry out community-based work. In the case of Beppu, Central Kyushu Masjid has been the place of unity for Muslims residing in Beppu. The Masjid, located in Mochigahama, has four stories and praying rooms for men and women.
Many APU students, as well as faculties from different nationalities, are involved with the mosque, and every year as new students come in, many Muslim students seeking a place of worship end up participating in the activities hosted by the mosque.
Attending and praying in a Mosque on Friday is a mandatory act of worship for all followers of Islam. These Friday prayers are hosted by the mosque just like many other social events, gatherings, and even Ramadan offerings that have long been a tradition upheld by the residents of Beppu and students of APU alike.
The Friday gathering prayer, Jummah, also acts as a great way of bringing together Muslims from all paths of life to pray in harmony and take part in internal and external activities hosted by the mosque community. We interviewed Professor Muhammad Tahir Abbas Khan, leader of the Beppu Muslim Community.
“In Central Kyushu Masjid Beppu, all the students, especially non-Muslims, are welcome. On the first and third Friday nights of every month, we host free dinner get-togethers. Everyone is also welcome during the month of Ramadan to do iftar. If anyone wants to know more about Islam, they are always welcome in this mosque.” There are dinner events hosted every 1st and 3rd Friday of every month, bringing together the Muslim community and helping non-muslims learn about the Islamic way of life in the process. It has long been popular among APU students as it gives them a sense of unity and cultural exchange among one by participating in these events hosted by the mosque.
To gain insight into the Student Community of the mosque, we interviewed Abdulakhad Sobirov, the student representative of Central Kyushu Masjid Beppu's Student Community. He stated the following, “The Beppu Mosque has been trying to create a better environment for Muslims in Japan through various activities. Therefore, new students are very important for these activities since they are the main reason the mosque exists. Therefore, mosques will support new students to adapt to the Japanese lifestyle and practice their religions properly despite living in a different environment.” Hence, any new students are always welcome to join the community and partake in the various activities that take place to support them.
“By being a member of the Beppu Mosque community and trying to contribute to other Muslims in Japan as well as exchange ideas with Japanese citizens,” said Abdulakhad Sobirov in his interview regarding his thoughts on joining the Student Community of the mosque. As previously mentioned, a plethora of activities can be done on the premises of the mosque. Imam Althaf Khan, the person in charge and communal leader of the mosque is always welcome for any discussion and queries regarding Islam.
“It's a good thing that our mosque is taking steps to unite Muslim students and families in Beppu from all over the world. It helps them to unite and stay connected and take part in various charity and volunteering events we initiate.” The Imam shared this through a statement during an interview. The Imam is actively trying to invite more people to participate in these events hosted by the mosque and spread the culture of Islam to the diverse Beppu community.
It has been also brought to light that every year, during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims from all over the globe fast from sunrise to sunset as an act of worship, the Beppu Central Mosque is actively involved in supporting Muslims during this critical month. The month of Ramadan varies and comes according to the lunar calendar followed by Islamic communities which accounts for an entire month where people fast, pray, and seek wisdom and forgiveness through mass gatherings. It is a month of utmost importance for devoted Muslims all over the world. Hence, to support that, every year, the Central Kyushu Mosque has been offering free meals during Iftar (Breaking of the Fast during Ramadan) to people of every belief, fully sponsored by the mosque itself. For an entire month straight, free food is given out to anyone who may or may not be fasting as a show of communal unity.
We also interviewed Rayhansyah Jasin, one of the core members of the Central Kyushu Mosque Student Community, Internal Dawah about the activities regarding Ramadan.
“This was my 3rd Ramadan in Beppu since December 2020 and I have been involved with the community, Internal Dawah 2022, May. This year, Ramadan was much different from previous years, as we distributed the Iftar in bento boxes in front of the Masjid before fast breaking time to any passerby”
Rayhansya Jasin commented on previous Ramadan events and later updated us on this year’s initiatives.
“However, this year we changed things up a bit by instead including an all-at-once gathering that made it more eye-opening and engaging for people from all over the world and beliefs to come together and join us for a meal to learn more about Islam and our efforts. I will always cherish the memories and good times I spent with people on this year’s Ramadan.”
Hence, Ramadan ended this year on a high note where APU students and residents of Beppu alike could celebrate the holy month by working together and holding a successful Ramadan.
Lastly, Central Kyushu Mosque welcomes all new Muslim students entering APU to join the existing Muslim community in prayers, Jummahs, and social gatherings. The authorities and the student community believe that doing so will bring the community together and represent unity among Muslims and the international community in Beppu.