The September meeting of RCC took place at the Islamic Center of Tennessee (ICT), which was established in 2010 with the goal of educating both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in Middle Tennessee. Located in Antioch, a community southeast of Nashville, the Carmike Bell Forge Theater was purchased with money raised from the local community and transformed into the Islamic Center of Tennessee. As the largest Islamic Center in Middle Tennessee, ICT strives to provide unprecedented and professional Islamic and educational services to its parishioners. As the newest and most diverse community in Nashville, ICT aims to unite Muslims upon the true teachings of tolerance and peace from the Qu’ran and Sunnah.
There were 12 attendees, and RCC members began the tour in the worship hall hearing from Imam Anwar Arafat who moved to Nashville just 3 months ago to oversee ICT. He's a Utah native who grew up in a diverse household, and traveled before winding up as the Imam of a Memphis mosque, and of course, now lives in Antioch.
Sabina Mohyuddin also spoke to RCC members, telling the story of how she helped co-found and now is Executive Director for the American Muslim Advisory Council, a group with the purpose of helping to change the narrative in the media about Muslims and which also helps Muslims realize their civic duties.
Following the discussion, Imam Anwar gave RCC members a full tour of the center which includes a movie theatre (as the center was previously an actual movie theatre), a gym, a general meeting room which can be used for community events, weddings, etc., and the reception hall, in addition to the worship halls.
Thanks so much to Imam Anwar, Sabina, Aisha and all the rest at ICT for taking the time out to have RCC for a tour!
