08-03-2025
Local store steps up after water leak closes mosque during Ramadan
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — After the Islamic Center of East Lansing was forced to close its doors just days into , a local business owner stepped in to help.
A water leak seeping onto nearby electrical equipment caused the mosque to lose power Wednesday, and the mosque has closed until further notice as crews work to fix the problem.
However, Ehab Awad with Best Furniture learned about the news through social media and took action, opening the doors of the store in Waverly to Muslims as a safe space for them to pray during the holy month of Ramadan.
6 News spoke to many community members who say they are grateful for the alternative mosque.
'A lot of these people wouldn't have a place to go and worship, especially in this holy month. So, you know, we were very happy to hear that there is an alternative,' says Ahmed Sufyan.
Without the temporary space, many of them would have prayed at home.
'Actually, I would've prayed at home. My dad is an advent Muslim. He loves to come every Friday, and I don't think he would've had it any other way,' says Vernita Payne.
Sufyan and Payne were just two of the hundreds of Muslims who flocked to the store after the East Lansing mosque was forced to close. Sufyan says it is important for followers of Islam to do their prayers during the holy month.
'Part of it is to hear Friday's sermon, and you know, missing out on that would be unfortunate,' says Sufyan.
At first, mosque leaders asked people to pray at home or at the Lansing mosque. However, after Awad learned about the situation online, he decided to take action.
'We know the importance of the holy month of Ramadan, right? We're talking about over 1,000 people who gather for prayer, right? So, we decided to go ahead and provide over 12,000 square footage, right? To continue to do what we do,' says Awad.
As a practicing Muslim himself, Awad says he knew he had to do something—and his business always opens its doors for the community.
'That is there for our community without discriminating, and supporting all demographics,' says Awad. 'All community members.'
Leaders of the Islamic Center of East Lansing say the mosque is closed until further notice, bu they will be handing out to-go boxes for Iftar at their alternative location.
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