Elderly Jewish ladies indulge their cravings for apple-cinnamon rugelach at Gitel's Kosher Bakery, hungry Russians feast at the Georgian bakery, Indian and Pakistani families search for authentic spices at the Patel Brothers grocery store and Indian boys glimpse the beauty of Aishwarya Rai at Bombay Video.
Devon Street has long been the perfect American model for cultural pluralism. Where else in the United States are sections of the same street named after historic figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golda Meir?
It is in this atmosphere that you can find Islamic Books & Things and Iqra' Book Center. The two book stores attract customers from all over who want to learn more about Islam.
From the outside, Islamic Books & Things, 2701 W. Devon St., resembles a local liquor corner store. But the inside reveals a religious haven where bright gold Arabic sayings line the walls and serious Islamic literature sits on two narrow double-sided rows of shelves. At the back of the store lies a small Turkish rug where costumers can pray.
Daniel Maldonado is a frequent customer of both book stores. Maldonado, who is part Puerto Rican, converted to Islam three years ago from Christianity. He moved to Chicago from Massachusetts recently so he could live in a larger Islamic community. As we speak, Maldonado steps away to observe his daily prayers. Islam requires its followers to pray five times a day facing east to Mecca. Maldonado praises the store's rich selection after his prayers.
He says both Islamic Books & Things and Iqra', 2740 W. Devon St., are invaluable resources for both Muslims and non-Muslims, helping to dispel popular misconceptions about Islamic fundamentalism and convey Islam's peaceful nature.
"Education is needed for followers of Islam because radical Muslims don't properly understand their own religion," Maldonado says. "The proof of this lies in the Qur'an. The Prophet Mohammed did not tolerate extremism. He said, 'This religion is too powerful to be taken to the extreme.'"
The store's manager, a short, amiable bearded man named Abdul Sheikh, says he's pleased when non-Muslims ask for information. He says that although many customers are attracted to the extensive number of children's books with content often vibrantly illustrating the epic battles Muslims fought for religious freedom, he points them to introductory books about Islam.
"First you must grasp the basic definitions of what it means to be Muslim," Sheikh says. "Then you can understand the complexities and issues facing contemporary Muslim life, such as globalization and democracy."
Sheikh, who came to the U.S. from Pakistan in 1984 and drove a taxi before switching jobs three years ago, says he doesn't think the American media adequately grasp this point.
"Many people now think they know about Islam, calling it an extremist religion, but that is wrong," Sheikh stresses. He says the book store's educational role has significantly increased.
Sheikh welcomes a customer with the traditional Muslim greeting, "As-salaam Alaykum," meaning "Peace be with you." A muscular black man wearing a black pea coat over a long black thobe (a traditional full-length tunic) wants to know if a red scarf he is buying will match his bright blue kufi, a beanie-like knit cap. Sheikh assures him the kufi and scarf will blend well together.
Iqra's collection rivals the broad assortment of texts at Islamic Books & Things. The store stocks books on politics, philosophy, history and comparative religion, to name a few. Iqra' also has an extensive collection of audio, video and software materials.
If Islamic Books & Things feels narrow on first entry, then Iqra's entrance appears expansive. Iqra', meaning "to read," became the largest Islamic bookstore in the U.S. when it moved to its current location. Large pictures of Muslim holy sites in Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem hang prominently across the walls in the spacious inside.
A controversial new CD called "Shadows 3: Covert Opts," by the renowned author Alif Kaba Khan, plays in the background. The recording attacks the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, calling them "wild beasts," yet also decries the American media for undermining the Islamic world by spreading generalizations about Islamic fundamentalism.
Six U.S. flags hang in the window, reflecting the store's sympathies. Massood Lodhi, a computer engineer from Pakistan who previously managed the store and now works there part-time, says the flags were put up after Sept. 11. "They show that we are not against anybody," Lodhi says. "We welcome people of all faiths into our store."
A young mother walks in with three children, looking for a videotape highlighting the Islamic perspective on the Big Bang. Her youngest son peers at a children's video called "Born to Learn," an intro tape covering the basics of Islam. The cover features two muppets, with Kermit the Frog sporting red hair and a white kufi.
Iqra's customers are as eclectic as the store's selection. In the back, a white man in green camouflage pants, beige Timberland boots and a bulky black down jacket prays with a skinny man of Middle Eastern descent who wears a grey suit and bright red kufi.
Iqra's bookstore is part of the larger Iqra' Educational Foundation, based in Skokie. The foundation's mission statement urges Muslims to teach the beauty of Islamic civilization to help human beings create a better society.
Lodhi explains that he sees Iqra's informational and educational role as essential to that mission.
"We want people to read our books," he says. "If they buy them, great, but more importantly, we want to create positive awareness. Unfortunately we have no Turkish coffee, otherwise we'd be just like an Islamic Barnes & Noble." nyou
Be the first to comment on this article!