New Store Shines Light on Islam

On Saturday, August 30, Light of Islam Bookstore, a nonprofit bookstore and educational center dedicated to furthering the knowledge and understanding of the religion of Islam, will celebrate its grand opening in Webster, Texas, just south of the Houston city line. The store is the result of two years of hard work on the part of its founder and director, Ruth Nasrullah, who moved to the Houston area from Boston only four-and-a-half years ago.

"I got involved in the [local Muslim] community over the last four years, and early on became the contact person for someone seeking information on Islam," Nasrullah told BTW. "In October 2006, I came up with the idea for the bookstore, [because I saw] there was a need in the community for a place where non-Muslims, new Muslims, and lifelong Muslims as well, could learn about Islam."

The 1,200-square-foot Light of Islam offers books and CDs, as well as educational activities. A little over half of the space is devoted to merchandise, and the remainder is left for classes and meetings. The store's inventory is selected with an eye toward increasing the understanding of Islam, and, in addition to religious titles, includes history, social commentary, personal narratives, fiction, and cookbook titles.

After moving to Houston, Nasrullah, herself a convert to Islam about 20 years ago, recognized the need for a learning center. She chose to set up the bookstore as a 501C-3 nonprofit for both financial and philosophical reasons. "I had the initial vision, but [the question was], how do I find the capital to do it? I knew I wanted this to be a community thing, so I extended this idea a little further. A nonprofit by its nature, it's about servicing a mission -- and I know the IRS will keep me in line!" she said with a laugh.

As a nonprofit, the store is funded through donations, Nasrullah explained, adding that 20 percent of the funding has come from non-Muslims. She held a fundraiser back in February that netted $13,000, received $30,000 from a group of private donors, and a leader in the Muslim community donated $15,000.

"Thus far, the store's received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the community," Nasrullah said. "I've never heard anyone say it's a bad idea."

Light of Islam Bookstore, which had a soft opening on August 12, has a grand opening planned for Saturday. Last Sunday, the bookstore held its first formal education class, "Islam 101," an introduction to Islam for non-Muslims, new Muslims, and those who might need a refresher. "We had a good crowd of people in the store," Nasrullah said. "It really made me feel that this is really going to happen."

Now, she's concentrating on driving people to the store via free publicity. Among her methods: press releases (the Houston Chronicle will be featuring the store in its weekend Religion section), word-of-mouth, linking with other Muslim organizations, and through two blogs. Nasrullah documented the everyday trials, tribulations, and joys of opening a nonprofit bookstore in her Light of Islam blog. She also writes the blog The Straight Path for the Houston Chronicle. --David Grogan