By Khalid Saeed

On the blessed Friday of Feb. 28, 2025, our Muslim community will come together to celebrate a long-cherished dream finally becoming a reality—the Grand Opening of Woodland Mosque. This momentous occasion marks the culmination of decades of dedication, persistence, and unwavering faith.

When I first heard the long-awaited news of the mosque’s opening, memories of our community’s journey in Woodland flooded my mind.

First memory took me to 1974, which had scared me out of my wits, to ask myself if I made the right decision to come to America, I shall write about it a little later in this article.

Then recent past history, details of hardships came to mind up to the grand opening news. Also came to mind the very early times how the community started, grew and developed. Overall, the reflections were on the years of effort, the individuals who gave so much, and the struggles the community faced together.

In that moment, a modified version of a quote from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist came to mind: “When God wants you to have something, the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it.” It seems in our case it really was true.

The completion of the Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center, despite numerous challenges, stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of the leaders throughout, and the current Board of Directors, led by the capable Mr. Mohammad Ahad Parvez. This monumental achievement was made possible solely through the commitment and financial contributions of our local Muslim community—without any support from financial institutions or external funding.

I firmly believe that Allah’s blessings united our community and leadership with a shared vision, turning this dream into reality. All board members deserve recognition for their efforts; special gratitude goes to those who played pivotal roles under immense pressure: our exceptional Project Manager and designing engineer, Mohammad Usman Sadiq; Finance Director Zahoor Ahmad; Secretary Director Bashir Choudry; and Mr. Ali Khadim. Other important spokes of the admin wheel are, Mubarik Ali, Mohammad Shafi, Muhammad Afzal, and Sharaz Akram. Their dedication and perseverance were instrumental in bringing this project to life.

In 1957, Khushi Muhammad, a respected elder from Chak 250 GB, Faisalabad, Pakistan, became the first Pakistani Muslim to settle in Woodland, paving the way for a vibrant community. He later helped his friend Muhammad Asghar to get to America, who stayed with Khushi until he could establish himself. During the President Nixon era, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 enabled their families to join legally, marking the beginning of a growing, close-knit community.

In June 1974, I arrived in the “New World”, while waiting to enroll at California State University, I took a temporary job as a Payroll Clerk for the Summer Youth Program at the Yolo County Office of Education. That role became a full-time Accounting Officer position, where I worked for six years.

After my hiring during my introduction to the project director, answering his question, I shared that I was from Pakistan and that I am a Muslim. He responded, “You seem proud of being Muslim and Pakistani, but your third generation here will be neither Pakistani nor a Muslim.” His words deeply impacted me. While I knew that the next generations will not be Pakistani, the thought of them losing their Muslim identity scared me out of my wits. I was asking myself if I made the right decision to come to America.

For our future generation’s education, I spoke with parents, and as a result, half a dozen young boys and girls began coming to my house five evenings a week for basic Islamic education, because there was no other place or facility for the basic education. They were taught essential knowledge, daily practices, and lifelong principles of Islam, including the dos and don’ts of a Muslim’s life.

Then, I collaborated with Khushi Muhammad to bring together all the Muslim community members of that era to discuss the need for a mosque. From that gathering, a ‘working committee’ was formed, consisting of Mr.Ghalib Bukhari, Khalid Saeed, and Muhammad Anwar Naseem. That very day, we raised $12,000, which became the seed money to purchase the North Street property. This property was later converted into a mosque, serving the community for decades.

Indeed, part of that “universe” was the extraordinary support we received from our interfaith brethren. Reverend Larry Love, Chair of the Woodland Ecumenical and Multi-faith Ministries (WEMM) Council, played a pivotal role in supporting our mosque’s relocation.

Moved by his commitment to justice and unity, he rallied the interfaith community, leading to a unanimous motion in favor of the project. His efforts resulted in a powerful gesture—a large banner at the new mosque site displaying the names of all supporting faith communities with a message of unity. This act of solidarity reminded us that, even in a divided world, the bonds of humanity shine brightly.

The Grand Opening of Woodland Mosque is not just the story of a building; it is the story of a community coming together, of faith overcoming fear, and of unity prevailing over division. It is a celebration not only of a dream fulfilled but also of the compassion and kindness that surround us all.