EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
Merrimack Valley
Muslims to begin Ramadan in renovated mosque
Published: August 30, 2008
METHUEN — The walls are lined with ceramic blue tiles accented with flowers. Arabic calligraphy and verses from the Quran help the faithful focus as they kneel on Turkish rugs in the prayer hall.
The once plain walls at Selimiye Camii Mosque have been renovated just in time for Ramadan, the holiest time in the Muslim faith, which starts Monday. During the monthlong observance, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and sex from sunrise to sunset for spiritual reflection.
"I'm very happy to have the mosque ready for Ramadan," said mosque President Aslan Kartalli.
"We didn't want this to be just a simple building. We want it to look like a mosque and make members feel like they're back home."
Two members, who asked to remain anonymous, gave more than $30,000 to import the tiles and prayer rugs from Turkey.
Selimiye Camii, at 105 Oakland Ave., was founded 13 years ago on the site of the former Immanuel Methodist Church, another Searles legacy in Methuen, with chandeliers and wooden beams on the ceilings.
The building was transformed with a mihrab, a niche indicating the direction to Mecca, where the imam delivers his sermons; a minber, a three-step pulpit made out of pine and a dome over the prayer hall. On the roof sits a weather vane in the shape of a crescent moon, a symbol of Islam.
"I am the happiest imam," said Mustafa Aktas, who has led the congregation since its inception, through a translator. "I'm most happy when people come from other places to see it."
Karatalli said the 107-year-old building is structurally sound to build a second level. There are also plans to install tiles on the mihrab.
In addition to the two members who contributed $15,000 for the tiles and $17,500 for the prayer rugs, others made pledges for the installation and yet others rolled up their sleeves to work.
Selimiye Camii has 200 members who come from Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill and Salem, N.H.
During holy days, Selimiye Camii attracts people from as far as Worcester and Boston. Services are conducted in Arabic, Turkish and English.
While most of its members are Turkish immigrants, hence the installation of the blue tiles reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire, other members come from Morocco, Egypt, Yemen, Algeria, Pakistan and Canada.
Former mosque President Shaban Catalbas said the burgeoning congregation is a sign of its diverse population, only fueled by the Islamic Academy, where children learn science, math and social studies as well as the Islamic faith.
"Our goal is teach the Quran to our children so they can be successful American citizens," said Catalbas, who owns Shaban's tailor shop in Andover.
Another sign of different ethnic groups united in the Islamic faith was the coming together of members to install the tiles and rugs in the 300-square-foot room.
"The environment you are in can improve your dedication and focus to prayer, but first it must come from the person," Kartalli said.
