With a new $2.2 million, 10,000-square foot facility on its way, local Muslims are excited to reach out to diverse communities and educate more people about Islam.

More than 250 people gathered Saturday in Santa Luz for the groundbreaking of the Muslim Community Center (MCC) of Greater San Diego.

The eight-year-old center – which moved from one leased space to another this year – is open to non-Muslims and Muslims of all sects and regions. Sunni and Shiite Muslims worship together, alongside Muslims from Africa and East Asia.

The center also engages women in leadership roles within the center, and elects members of its board of directors, who hold two-year terms. Irfan Zaman, a spokesman for the center, said the process is “very democratic,” and that the center’s inclusive nature is unique, though more Muslim groups are welcoming non-Muslims, and distributing power equally among men and women.

“We are all moving in the right direction,” said Zaman. “Islam professes unity. We are becoming more and more inclusive, and we do not restrict membership at all based on sect, or whether you are a man or a woman.”

“In general our religion teaches us to be very tolerant and balanced,” said Anita Tallman, a member of the MCC. “We do our best to ensure that everyone who comes is welcome.”

The perception of Muslims in the U.S. was skewed by Muslim members of Al Qaeda’s role in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Muslims living in the U.S. faced a tremendous amount of backlash after the terrorist attacks. As time as passed, though, Tallman said she sees more people willing to learn about Islam, and reaching out to Muslim neighbors.

“People in general are more open, even after 9/11,” said Tallman, whose family migrated from Pakistan to the U.S. “People are very aware of the extremes; and that what they see on television does not reflect the sentiment of Muslims all over the world. You’d be surprised; people have shown so much compassion for Muslims. They try to understand the struggles we have. Over the last few years, I’ve run into more people who just want to learn more [about Islam].”

The Muslim Community Center of Greater San Diego purchased the land for its center five years ago, and, after vigorous fundraising, will begin constructing the project which is expected to open in May 2010. The center will be privately funded, primarily through donations made my members.

This year, a rent increase forced the MCC out of its Rancho Peñasquitos location and into a Rancho Bernardo strip mall. The smaller location and sparse parking has made it difficult for the center to gather all its members for prayer groups, and provide the types of services it would like. Zaman and Tallman said they are looking forward to more space for the center to grow.

The new center will include a mosque for worship, classrooms and activity areas for children, and offices for various services.

Providing space for children to learn the teachings of Islam and interact with other Muslim children is critical to the center’s mission.

Tallman, who was raised in Ohio, said she and her husband make a conscious effort to educate their children about Muslim holidays, and explain to them why they celebrate. Tallman said she also reaches out to teachers at her children’s schools, so they understand the family’s religious principles.

“When you are Muslim, it’s a very communal religion – it isn’t about being an individual, it is about being an individual member of a group,” Tallman said. “That’s so important in our faith; helping others, reaching out to neighbors. That is so important, especially being Muslim in a non-Muslim country. You want to make sure you reach out to everyone, regardless of religion.”

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