Religious debates abounded at Dartmouth mosque Masjid Al Ehsan on Sunday’s Open Mosque Day.

Two police officers and a bounce house waited outside the nondescript building at 2 Cove Road to welcome visitors to the mosque, which serves Muslims from towns all around the South Coast.

Visitors were asked to remove their shoes or wear disposable slippers over them before stepping onto the bright blue and gold carpet in the main room, which held tables full of free Qurans and informational pamphlets about Islam.

Non-muslims and muslims alike met to discuss their views on such topics as abortion, women’s rights, and the differences between Islam and Christianity.

Around one hundred participants spoke cordially over light refreshments as children played on the stairs near the mihrab, the niche in the wall that points towards Mecca.

“I’m delighted that so many people have come,” said outreach coordinator for the mosque Martin Bentz.

Bentz is also an advisory member of the Massachusetts branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which sponsors Open Mosque Day.

Dartmouth resident Karim Al Nassar was running the pamphlet table.

He lived in Dartmouth in the 1970s and then spent decades living in Egypt and Sudan. “I’ve only come back recently,” he said. “It’s nice to be back.”

Before the mosque was built, Al Nassar said, Muslim residents prayed at UMass Dartmouth.

“People just have misconceptions about Islam,” said Al Nassar. “They don’t realize it’s the logical outgrowth of the Judeo-Christian tradition.”

“We believe in the same God,” he continued. “But people don’t realize that.”

Hosam Mahmoud, president of the Islamic society, had come in early to prepare for the event.

He’s used to rising early, as morning prayer can start as early as 3:30 a.m. in the summer.

But this year, he said, he bought snacks and coffee instead of trying to do everything himself. “This time I was a little bit smarter,” he laughed.

“I think this is wonderful,” said Lora Farley, who attends Pilgrim Church in New Bedford. “I love it. I really didn’t know what to expect...but this is beautiful.”

“We went last year, and it’s fun because it teaches you about other cultures,” said teenager Weslee Tyler, who was attending with her mother Kari.

The mosque’s members were glad to have a chance to speak with non-Muslims about their religion.

Al Nassar said, “They’re welcome at any time.”