"I didn't know I would be so welcome in a mosque so I appreciate the sense of welcome we've all experienced," said Alison Stewart, who was invited to the event by her Muslim neighbor.
That is why those at the Islamic Center of Greenville want to welcome non-Muslims into their place of worship.
"I think Muslims around the country now realize that they need to go out there and present themselves to non-Muslims and explain to them what Islam is really about," said Dr. Nada Fadul, who worships at the mosque.
Fadul moved to the United states from Sudan in 2000. After 9/11 she says she felt a shift in the attitude towards Muslims.
"When I wear the hijab and go out, for example going to the mosque, I felt that there was definitely tension, when I go to the store for example, people tend to avoid me and go to the other aisle," said Fadul.
However, in the years since 2001 she says the tension has been getting progressively less. A trend that she hopes continues with more education.
"I feel if you get to know actual Muslims that tends to change very quickly because then you get to know that they are very kind very generous that they care about their families, they care about their work, just like everyone else does," said Fadul.
Source: WCTI