Seiji Matsui, 46, a Japanese Muslim serving as the Ishikawa Muslim Society's deputy chair, who dealt with negotiations with residents in the city of Kanazawa. The number of Muslims and mosques is on the rise in Japan amid some misconceptions and prejudice.
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Before the mosque was built, people even asked me if it had any connection with al-Qaida. By engaging with them directly and being patient in my explanations, I was able to get them to understand.
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gokai_wo_maneku
Shinjuku has a huge mosque and lots of Muslim tourists. And no problems.
Toasted Heretic
I lived near mosques, temples, churches and synagogues & the only complaints from locals was about parking spaces!
But yes, of course, there will be misconceptions and prejudices from some.
JeffLee
The article doesn't mention if there is a call to prayer, which mosques frequently broadcast loudly on loudspeakers and can be a major irritant to anyone living nearby who happens not to be Muslim.
Toasted Heretic
Not all mosques have them. The mosque I lived beside did not have a call to prayer. Unless my hearing was mysteriously on the blink all those years!
I quite like the call to prayer when I do hear it, it's a rather nice sound, like church bells are.