Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, members of the Mothers Center of Southwest Nassau in East Rockaway - a discussion group that meets to share thoughts about their children and about being mothers - decided that they not only wanted to learn more about their own experiences as mothers, but also about the experiences of women of other cultures and backgrounds. So they came up with an idea called "Building Bridges, Building Peace," a discussion group program that enables them to meet with members of different religions and backgrounds.

On Friday, June 21, several members of the Mothers Center met with mothers of the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury. The purpose of the meeting "was to provide women with the opportunity to grow in our understanding of our Muslim sisters and experiences as mothers," Kolya Braun-Greiner, group leader and Mothers group member, said.

During the meeting, the mothers discussed their mutual experiences as parents, as well as some of the challenges that they face due to their religion or background and how they can teach tolerance and acceptance of others to their children. Those who attended were also treated to a presentation by Westbury resident Dr. Faroque Khan, president-elect of the Islamic Center of Long Island and author of the book Story of a Mosque in America.

Dr. Khan began the presentation by saying that he thought it was important to address the women and teach them something about the Islamic religion because "the information out there is far from what is reality." He went on to discuss his book, which he described as the experience his own family had in coming to America and what it is like to be part of a Mosque.

Dr. Khan also addressed and discussed the often-controversial dress code that Islamic women have. "If my wife puts a scarf around her neck it becomes fashion, if she puts it around her head it becomes a controversy," Khan said in response to those who have a problem with the way that Islamic women dress. He went on to explain that it is the individual women's choice in America to wear what they want in public, as long as they are covered appropriately when they enter the Mosque.

Following Khan's presentation, Hoda Spiteri, treasurer of the Islamic Center of Long Island stated that the event was a "baby-step toward a lifetime of peace and mutual understanding and tolerance."