#30 VISITING A MOSQUE

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
After a false start last week, I was determined to try and visit a mosque for this journey.  Last week I tried to visit the Majid Ash-Shaheed, for the Solidarity in Prayer service that was highlighted in the paper.  When I got there I was told the paper had the time wrong and to come back at 2:30 pm.  When I came back, the regular service was over and no one knew about a 2:30 service.  Obviously there was miss communication.  So today I decided to visit the English Baiyan Friday Jummah prayers at the Islamic Society of Greater Charlotte at 1:30 pm on Friday afternoon.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
The Islamic Society of Greater Charlotte is at 7025 The Plaza a few blocks north of Milton Road. It is one of about a half dozen mosques or majids in Charlotte.   Parking was plentiful.  Women enter on the side of the building and must wear pants or a long skirts, long sleeves and cover their heads.  There is a place to leave your shoes upon entering. Their website has a good q&a about visiting the mosque.  See it at http://isgcharlotte.com/contact-us/visiting-isgc/visiting-a-mosque/  

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

When I arrived I noticed that the women were entering by a side door so I followed them.  About 10 women were in a room with ornate carpeting.  Their numbers grew to about 30 before the end of the service.  Some were in lines praying and other were seated in chairs either pulled into the lines or along the back.  I whispered to the woman sitting beside me that this was my first time to a mosque and she was very welcoming and gave me direction several times. 

MUSIC

There was no music except for a Cantor (?) who sang a few of the prayers.

MESSAGE

After about 10 minutes during which the women offered silent prayers of their own either kneeling or with beads similar to a Rosary, the Iman came on the TV screen in front and offered a lecture in English.  He recognized that these are dangerous times and there are legitimate safety concerns in the community due to a lack of trust.  He exhorted the community not to worry for Allah is with them.  He said in times of difficulty and panic, we should not rely on our own strength. While we should lock our doors and be prudent, protection and security ultimately comes from Allah. He reminded the community that Muslims have survived and prospered for 1400 years.  We should be mindful of Allah.  To be mindful means that seek His protection, and to be aware of what makes Him happy and live our lives accordingly.  In good times we are grateful and in bad times we are patient. (I really liked that last sentence.)

Then common prayers were said/sung by the cantor and the women participated corporately, bowing and kneeling in unison and repeating some of the prayer in Arabic.

The final prayers were a mixture English and Arabic and included a corporate confession, prayers for the sick (make it easy for them), and help us to be good role models for our children.

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• Above is some general information about Islam that was on the website of the Islamic Center.  I apologize that it is small, but it was as good as this program and my ability to "copy and paste" could do.  You can also see it at http://isgcharlotte.com 
• I definitely felt like a "fish out of water" and hope that I remained respectful.  I had made several email inquiries asking for a "worship buddy" with no success.  That would have been helpful.  I was glad that I had attended a Sunday School class at Advent Lutheran a few months ago where an Iman explained Muslim prayers and basic tenants.
• The prayers were all in Arabic and a few of the women had Quarans with them.  The rituals were beautiful and reminded me a little of the Catholic Rosary in that the prayers are memorized and said in a certain way and with prescribed body postures.
• The separation of the sexes didn't bother this feminist as much as I thought it would.  Having been a teenager, taught young people, and parented 2 of them, I know how distracting having the sexes together can be.  However, I was more curious.  I wanted to know what the men were doing and be able to listen and join their discussions afterward.  I would be curious to know what, if any, voice women have in the operation of the mosque.
• During the announcements a Family night was highlighted when separate sessions would be held simultaneously for young men, young girls  and grown women.  Topics ranged from setting cultural limits for the young men, building character for the girls and being mindful of Allah for the women.
• Members were encouraged to buy food and contribute to the mosque and to a fundraiser for Syrian refugees, though I did not see where to contribute.  I was able to contribute on line on their website.
• Submissions to a Muslim film festival were being accepted.
• At the smaller majid last week there was a bazaar type atmosphere with folks selling smoked chicken and baseball caps in the parking lot and more tables set up in the first room of the center.

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

You've heard me talk in the space often about On Being with Krista Tippett on NPR.  She is coming to Charlotte on April 2 at First Presbyterian Church.  There are only about 100 tickets left as of this writing.  Get yours quickly if you want to join me.  They are $10.    Reserve them here:  http://www.firstpres-charlotte.org/first-presbyterian-church-charlotte-1.php

Some friends of mine on a "Wild Women's Weekend at Lutheridge, the Lutheran retreat center just posted this on Facebook.  Obviously, I am both Lutheran and Catholic!! LOL

To access the test go to https://www.women.com/alex/quiz-if-you-can-get-a-10-slash-10-on-this-gospel-quiz-you-must-be-catholic?utm_source=wdc_fb&utm_medium=FBsharerbutton&utm_campaign=20170211

THERE WAS NO BULLETIN OR PRINTED MATERIALS