Islamic Society of West Contra Cost County

I just wanted to give a review from a non Muslim who went to «Islamic Society of West Contra Cost County» with a friend who was a «member». I was very impressed by how kind the folks were to a newcomer such as myself, my buddy introduced me to the manager of the Mosque, he was a big friendly guy, the kind of dude you can’t help but like. I learned about the preparations you need to do before Friday prayer washing your hands and feet etc.
Then I had to tell them I am disabled and can not bend down and needed a seat. They were very kind and provide a chair, like they had for the older folks. The Imam was a young guy from LA I believe he was a good preacher, He did a standard sermon (don’t know what else to call it sorry). The sermon was one meant to inspire and uplift you throughout your coming week, it was said in both Arabic and English. Very good sermon.
Then ²⁄₃ of the way through hes the Iman became slightly upset when two teenagers came into the prayers dressed in shorts and tank tops, they had been playing basket ball. He started talking in a roundabout way, why there is a certain level dress code again he spoke in English then backed it up with a quote. I was confused. We were out of time.
When the whole service was over my friend explained «back in India they would have just thrown out those kids, but the are fresh off the boat from Iran, so the Iman is going easy on them, he wants to keep them around so they don’t do drugs and fall in with the wrong element».Turns out you are really supposed to wear at least a long sleeve shirt etc.
Then the nice «manager» guy came before the service was over and spoke to the mosque. He said «the people at Burger King have been nice enough to let us use their parking please I have said it before, please move your cars right after the service don’t wait till after lunch». This caused me a great shock, I was raised at a Christian church and then became what this manager was, I was the caretaker of the property, with a 7 – 11 parking next door. It really hit me that wherever you go there’s some guy stuck dealing at a Mosque /​Church or synagogue with the parking and cleaning the gutters.
Then we had great food people seem to cook to bring and sell after prayers. Food was great and the people really seemed like a nice community, I wouldn’t mind hanging with them all the time. Except I am not a Muslim. If I wanted to become a Muslim I could see attending there, for what that is worth.
Just to be clear I am no longer a Christian.

I attended several Friday and Ramadan prayers. Great imams and community. They are warm and very welcoming.

The oldest mosque in the Richmond area, with a location that is conveniently located near the highway.
Numerous programs and services are held here for both education and outreach.

Sunni mosque a large and beautiful in the city of Richmond

Young intelligent Imam, nice khutbahs. Good size masjid, big wudu area.

So. today I visited and attended Jummah prayer at Masjid Al Rahman aka Islamic Society of West Contra Costa County (ISWCCC) — Masjid.
I called before I went trying to figure out when Jummah prayer was so I didn’t show up super early. but low and behold. the auto message just addressed when Ramadan might be starting because the Moon needs to be sighted visually. and if it decided to hide on the 22^nd of August. then Ramadan starts the next day– InshaAllah.
The masjid is located right off San Pablo Ave kind of across from the strip mall that has Big Lots in it. Super easy to find. just turn on Lowell from San Pablo and the masjid should be on your right hand side.
So I showed up at like 12:30ish and found the women’s section of the masjid wasn’t even open yet! The Khutbh didn’t start until 1:20 and the actual Jummah prayer at 2pm. Some nice brothers (MashaAllah) who were already at the Masjid cooking away in the kitchens opened the door for me and I was able to get inside.
Once I entered I noticed– two things. the shoe rack and the sign saying — take your shoes off– so we can keep the new carpet clean. To the left hand side of the entrance from the parking lot is the bathroom– which I didn’t have time to investigate yet– so watch for the potential update on the bathroom situation.
I wandered around the masjid. I noticed that there were classrooms for Saturday Islamic school, shoe rack and another entrance to the masjid just for women before entering the actual prayer area.
The women’s prayer area is a separate room with no visual at all into the main prayer hall. The only way to get information is through the speaker — that Alhumdualillah actually is working loud and clear.
The prayer area has a nice rug with the prayer lines woven in and a nice built in storage unit on the far wall across from the main entrance stuffed with Qur’ans, dawah materials, prayer rugs and prayer outfits.
Although why anyone would need a prayer rug with the soft high level carpet on in the prayer area is beyond me.
The women’s community was made up from a casual glance of a majority of Pakistani and Arab individuals.
The khutbah was in English then in Arabic with announcements in between. Some of the announcements were very direct– such as stop talking during the khutbah… directed at the women and again directed at the women– children should be put to the side while praying. so as prevent holes in the rows of women as they prayed.
I think there was a level of tack and diplomacy lacking in some of these announcements– but if talking to individuals doesn’t create change. I guess a Jummah announcement might.
InshaAllah I will visited again. now that I know this Masjid exists and is located close by my house. I can’t wait for Ramadan and the iftars with the different sections of the communities.