As Salamu 'Alaykum,
I was blessed in my first visit to the Mosque in that there was a "MEET YOUR ISLAMIC NEIGHBORS" event where a presentation was given by Brother Tariq who drove me to the Mosque with his wife (who is very knowledgeable about Islam and has helped me with her wisdom).
Before the presentation, there was a meal with many delicious dishes. I tried a little of each, but left the baklava for the visitors who may not have tasted it before.
I saw a brother sitting by himself and with his permission joined him at his table where we were later joined by another brother and two of the visitors.
After the meal it was time for prayer and a few of the brothers assisted me in my Wadu. I have a broken vertebrae and had difficulty putting my socks back on my feet. Immediately, one of the brothers was assisting me.
After Wadu, we entered the prayer hall and I was assisted with the Arabic Shahada after first stating it in English ; so, as to verify that I understood
Ash-hadu an la elaha illa Allah wa ash-hadu Mohammadan Rasul-Allah and all of the various aspects of Truth to which Muslims testify their belief.
After Shahada, I was directed to an appropriate spot to participate in Salah.
Everyone was very polite and kind. I was welcomed by possibly every man there and several of the sisters welcomed me in appropriate manners.
The thing that surprised me was that all of the Muslims that I met desired to do more in their deen. Many expressed how that longed to share Islam with those they met daily. All show deep respect and love for Allah and joy at having a new brother in the faith.
One of the bothers who was an administrator (sorry I don't know the terms yet.) gave me a certificate of Shahada, a transliterated copy of Al Qur'an, and a prayer rug. The Brother and Sister who drove me to the Mosque gave me some books, a dvd, and a beautiful hat. But, the most important gift was their kindness and genuine joy at my Shahada.
I would encourage everyone who has not yet committed their life to Submission to Allah and Peace to thoroughly investigate Islam as that which is missing in their lives. Their can be no Peace without Allah. Returning to that which is the natural order can only bring good. So, many people are excited about having seen or spoke to a celebrity. Imagine, being given a daily audience with The Creator. Allahu Akbar. Alhamdulillah. Subhan'Allah.