Islamic Center of Raleigh holds open house

“I think it is great that so many people came out,” visitor Donald Mathews said. “We were afraid not many people would, but we are overcrowded here.”

The center houses two prayer halls and a private school that teaches children in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Visitor Erin Dangler brought her two children to see the center on Saturday.

“We want to make it clear that the Muslims who live in the Triangle are just like everyone else. We live here, we work here; this is our home,” said Taiyyaba Qureshi, spokeswoman for the Islamic Center of Raleigh. “We just wanted kind of extend our hands to friendship.”