by Katie Abdullah
Recently I started a new job, working evenings at a gas station in the northeast quadrant of town. My husband, a recent immigrant from Egypt, comes with me, and we spend our time in the bulletproof booth helping customers, talking, reading, and learning about some aspects of American culture.
During our shift is Magrib, the early evening prayer. While we pray, we put a sign in the window, so that customers know we'll be back soon. We didn't feel comfortable using the "Shift changing, please wait" sign, because that wasn't what we were doing. We found a sign with "I'll be back in three minutes, but this was ineffective, as customers pounded on the window upon arriving, hoping, I assume, that I was near the end of my three minutes.
With one or both of these signs in the window, I would pray right in the front of the store or my husband and I would pray together in the back room, visible through the windows. After reading the sign and seeing us, customers would beat on the windows and shout, getting noisier when we didn't respond.
In Egypt, shopkeepers and clerks pray, right in the store. My husband wanted to maintain this practice here in the U.S., and I wanted to start the tradition myself. Hoping for an undisturbed prayer, I hand, lettered a sign which reads simply, "I'm praying. Please wait 3 min. Thank you." My husband and I felt sure that most people would respect this, even if they didn't understand exactly what we were doing. So far, no one has openly complained about having to wait while we fulfill our obligation to Allah (SWT). However, people have grimaced, pouted, thrown their money in the tray, and grumbled their purchase requests. Some people still pound on the window and shout!
One evening, after having difficulty concentrating on our salat, due to pounding and knocking, I lifted my sign up in front of the face of the waiting customer, who was scowling. After entering her order into the cash register, I thanked her for waiting, (yes, she probably heard the sarcasm in my I voice), and she sulked away. The ten-year old boy waiting behind her said, "I'm sorry, I didn't see the sign," and bought a candy bar. I smiled at him and thanked him , (sincerely) for waiting. My husband was encouraged to see such a young person have respect for religious activity. He took this as an indication, insha'Allah, that other persons, of all ages, would share this young man's respect.
Although many of the customers have been neither as patient, nor as respectful as we had hoped, we have received a few pleasant surprises. A day or two after the young man apologized, we finished salat and found waiting for us several customers, the first of whom was an older gentleman. "Did you pray for me?!", he asked enthusiastically. "No, sir," I answered. "But I will the next time I pray!" "OK!" he exclaimed with joy and hopping on one foot a bit, "I'm just glad to see someone's praying." I think he was surprised to see a woman wearing hijab (the head covering) and maybe he doesn't know much about Islam, but his appreciation was genuine. Since then, we have been asked about our religion and asked why we pray. It seems that people are adjusting to our praying, and we are adjusting to their reaction.
However, the enthusiasm of the older gentleman after one of our first evenings with the sign was contagious. The rest of our shift my husband and I talked and laughed, discussing the potential of the future. What if Muslims in all occupations had small signs to put in their windows or on their desks? "I'm praying. Please wait ten minutes. Thank you. If What if we gave our bosses and supervisors copies of the local prayer schedule, with prayers during working hours highlighted, so that they would know when we'd be taking our "coffee breaks"? What if we who own our own businesses had signs which read "This is a Muslim-owned business" and "Bismillah arRahman arRahim"?
By merely announcing our existence and exercising our right to pray, we would be sending such a powerful message to the non-Muslims around us that it would be making quiet yet constant da'wa (education making quiet yet constant da'wa (education - about Islam). Insha'AIlah, more and more Muslims will feel comfortable being open about Islam, and our presence in this country will become increasingly noticeable. But for now, I use a hand-lettered sign which reads: "I'm praying. Please wait 3 minutes. Thank you."
Saturday, February 27, 2010
August 1994 Our Masjid and Conferences
RESULTS OF THE S.E.A.M. CONFERENCE SURVEY SHOW LESSONS TO BE LEARNED.
Reports: Ayman Ismail & Rashed Zantout
During the period of July 1-3, Muslims at Columbus observed the Omar Ibn ElKhattab Mosque being like a "honey-bee". The Isha prayer at one time had more than 120 praying Muslims! Sleeping bags, wires and cables here and there, video cameras, portable computers and even printers were connected to the Masjid's power supply. The occasion, The Fifth South- East Asian Muslim Student Delegates Conference (SEAM) was held, here in Omar Ibn EI-Khattab Mosque. An ingenious idea, definitely, but is it a good idea? IQRA! was there to ask some questions and find out what the participants in that conference had to say about a conference at our mosque.
According to SEAM documents, the total participants including their families were almost 200, many from overseas. Sisters and children stayed in the Fawcett Center while brothers stayed in the Omar Mosque during the program. The results of a limited survey ( 11 brothers) cannot be reliable for making conclusions, but at least they gave us an impression. It might not have been such a great idea given the resources at our Masjid.
The majority of those surveyed thought the mosque was not a suitable place for a conference, and they cited many reasons. The top reason was that it was ill-equipped. Conferences need facilities like overhead projectors, chairs, power outlets, and the like. "The restrooms are not adequate for the number of people attending the conference," one participant said. "There are no showers and the restrooms should be cleaned more often." another said. This seemed particularly true, as the Masjid hosted the majority of those surveyed, and everyone knows the shape of our rest rooms!
What conferences need most is a climate for concentration, and this was difficult given the multipurpose function of a mosque with frequent movement and activity. "People keep coming in and out and children were running during the conference !" one brother said Dr: Muhammad Imaduddin, a retired Professor from the Institute of Technology in Bandung, who flew in from Indonesia told IQRA! that "Conferences need facilities and functions not easily provided by a mosque. It is a good idea, but not necessarily practical. We need a bigger facility. Workshops should be done on campus, while lectures about spiritual issues may be done in Masjid - and thus capture the best of both world, campus facilities and the Islamic environment."
IQRA! went to the Organizing Committee with these results. We asked Br. Hermawan Dipojono if these findings were indeed sensible. "We are not surprised by the comments of the participants about these things; especially on the inadequacies of the showers and restrooms!" he said. "From the very beginning the Organizing Committee of the 5th SEAM Conference was well aware of the inadequacies of our mosque to be a host of a conference with more than 100 participants."
However, if the event was too large for the capacities of the Masjid, it also meant that the load on those who organized it was proportionally enlarged and "whatever the inadequacies. in our mosque, it certainly has given a deep spiritual experience to the participants , who, for a couple of days, stayed and slept in the mosque, alhamdulillah." said Br. Hermawan. Thus, it was not surprising that the participants expressed great appreciation to the organizers and this perspective was reflected in the survey results.
Everyone was very pleased with the treatment and assistance they got from the Columbus community and the MSA. A monumental effort was felt by everyone in the preparation and organization of this event, and IQRA! congratulates Br. Salengke, the Organizing Committee Chairperson, Br. Hermawan, and all those who assisted them. "We want to express our gratitude to the MSA-ISGC for their full gratitude to the MSA - ISGC for their full support of this conference." expressed Br. Hermawan.
Such a spirit for action should he efficiently utilized by the MSA and the ISGC. We hope that a post-ante evaluation will take place so that we learn, improve, and excel, inshallah. The Organizing Committee has a complete documentation of the conference; papers, videos and cassettes. IQRA, in turn intends to publish, inshallah, the findings of a doctoral research survey on the priorities needed for action in our Masjid. We hope the MSA/ISGC will give this and the coming findings serious attention.
Reports: Ayman Ismail & Rashed Zantout
During the period of July 1-3, Muslims at Columbus observed the Omar Ibn ElKhattab Mosque being like a "honey-bee". The Isha prayer at one time had more than 120 praying Muslims! Sleeping bags, wires and cables here and there, video cameras, portable computers and even printers were connected to the Masjid's power supply. The occasion, The Fifth South- East Asian Muslim Student Delegates Conference (SEAM) was held, here in Omar Ibn EI-Khattab Mosque. An ingenious idea, definitely, but is it a good idea? IQRA! was there to ask some questions and find out what the participants in that conference had to say about a conference at our mosque.
According to SEAM documents, the total participants including their families were almost 200, many from overseas. Sisters and children stayed in the Fawcett Center while brothers stayed in the Omar Mosque during the program. The results of a limited survey ( 11 brothers) cannot be reliable for making conclusions, but at least they gave us an impression. It might not have been such a great idea given the resources at our Masjid.
The majority of those surveyed thought the mosque was not a suitable place for a conference, and they cited many reasons. The top reason was that it was ill-equipped. Conferences need facilities like overhead projectors, chairs, power outlets, and the like. "The restrooms are not adequate for the number of people attending the conference," one participant said. "There are no showers and the restrooms should be cleaned more often." another said. This seemed particularly true, as the Masjid hosted the majority of those surveyed, and everyone knows the shape of our rest rooms!
What conferences need most is a climate for concentration, and this was difficult given the multipurpose function of a mosque with frequent movement and activity. "People keep coming in and out and children were running during the conference !" one brother said Dr: Muhammad Imaduddin, a retired Professor from the Institute of Technology in Bandung, who flew in from Indonesia told IQRA! that "Conferences need facilities and functions not easily provided by a mosque. It is a good idea, but not necessarily practical. We need a bigger facility. Workshops should be done on campus, while lectures about spiritual issues may be done in Masjid - and thus capture the best of both world, campus facilities and the Islamic environment."
IQRA! went to the Organizing Committee with these results. We asked Br. Hermawan Dipojono if these findings were indeed sensible. "We are not surprised by the comments of the participants about these things; especially on the inadequacies of the showers and restrooms!" he said. "From the very beginning the Organizing Committee of the 5th SEAM Conference was well aware of the inadequacies of our mosque to be a host of a conference with more than 100 participants."
However, if the event was too large for the capacities of the Masjid, it also meant that the load on those who organized it was proportionally enlarged and "whatever the inadequacies. in our mosque, it certainly has given a deep spiritual experience to the participants , who, for a couple of days, stayed and slept in the mosque, alhamdulillah." said Br. Hermawan. Thus, it was not surprising that the participants expressed great appreciation to the organizers and this perspective was reflected in the survey results.
Everyone was very pleased with the treatment and assistance they got from the Columbus community and the MSA. A monumental effort was felt by everyone in the preparation and organization of this event, and IQRA! congratulates Br. Salengke, the Organizing Committee Chairperson, Br. Hermawan, and all those who assisted them. "We want to express our gratitude to the MSA-ISGC for their full gratitude to the MSA - ISGC for their full support of this conference." expressed Br. Hermawan.
Such a spirit for action should he efficiently utilized by the MSA and the ISGC. We hope that a post-ante evaluation will take place so that we learn, improve, and excel, inshallah. The Organizing Committee has a complete documentation of the conference; papers, videos and cassettes. IQRA, in turn intends to publish, inshallah, the findings of a doctoral research survey on the priorities needed for action in our Masjid. We hope the MSA/ISGC will give this and the coming findings serious attention.
June 1994 Project Save International
A Columbus based Muslim organization, Project Save International (PSI) has raised thousands of dollars for needy people throughout the world. PSI has been a forerunner in the area of mobilizing Muslim support for charitable causes as diverse as providing medical expenses for Bosnian war victims to establishing a zakat fund for needy people in the USA and India. The PSI also has donated monies to victims of atrocities in Kashmir and families of the Hebron massacre. May Allah reward this band of Muslims for coming together and helping to make a difference.
"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth." (2:261)
For further information on ....[contact information omitted]
"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth." (2:261)
For further information on ....[contact information omitted]
June 1994 Picnic for New Muslims
May 15th, the day Temple Dunlop planned for a picnic celebration, turned out to be full of showers, but no one seemed to care. Women and children filled her house and made the best of the day. A covered porch protected the grill and the chicken and kabobs turned out fine.
Michelle Miller formally said Shahada at the party. Michelle is now known as Munirah Ali, our new Muslim sister. Donna Pletcher had said Shahada at the English Sisters Study Group the week before the party. She repeated it before the imam here also. Four other women joined Munirah and Donna In the ceremony to obtain formally recorded Shahada certificates from the imam, Katharine Barker Abdallah, ImanShennan, Sadie Mahmood, and Mariam Bouslahmi. These women have been Muslims for a year or more, but without any paper to record the day and the witnesses. We live in a day of documentation, and these papers can prove useful. Brother Mouhamed Nabih Tarazi Ii presented a short speech on the significance of Shahada, before formally witnessing the women's testimony and presenting them with their signed certificates.
Congratulations to all our sisters who, in these times of hardship and persecution, came to document and celebrate their decision to be Muslim.
Michelle Miller formally said Shahada at the party. Michelle is now known as Munirah Ali, our new Muslim sister. Donna Pletcher had said Shahada at the English Sisters Study Group the week before the party. She repeated it before the imam here also. Four other women joined Munirah and Donna In the ceremony to obtain formally recorded Shahada certificates from the imam, Katharine Barker Abdallah, ImanShennan, Sadie Mahmood, and Mariam Bouslahmi. These women have been Muslims for a year or more, but without any paper to record the day and the witnesses. We live in a day of documentation, and these papers can prove useful. Brother Mouhamed Nabih Tarazi Ii presented a short speech on the significance of Shahada, before formally witnessing the women's testimony and presenting them with their signed certificates.
Congratulations to all our sisters who, in these times of hardship and persecution, came to document and celebrate their decision to be Muslim.
June 1994 English Classes for Ladies
Since January a few of the American sisters at the Omar Mosque have been offering classes In English for sisters from abroad. Aside from a nominal charge for books and materials, the classes are free. They are offered in the school building next door to the mosque during the week and have 2 beginner levels and one advanced class. For more information contact Mahdiya Koloresli at ###-####.
June 1994 Teachers' Appreciation Day At The Islamic Center
In an effort to recognize the dedication of our teachers, Sunday, April 24th was the annual Teachers' Appreciation Day at The Islamic Weekend School of the Islamic Center. The parents and children expressed their appreciation and thanked the teachers by giving them thank-you notes,kind words, etc. Teachers also received an appreciation certificate from the Islamic Weekend School.
Teachers, who are volunteers, play a very important role in building an Islamic personality in our children. They come to the Islamic Center every Sunday, spending their valuable time, to serve Allah SWT and to help our children learn Quran and Islam. The Teachers' Appreciation Day strengthens the bond between the parents and the teachers and enhances the learning process of the children, putting Islamic education in the right perspective.
IFCO ISLAMIC WEEKEND SCHOOL GRADUATION
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1994 - 11:00AM
St. STEPHEN COMMUNITY HOUSE, 1500 E. 17TH AVENUE
A CEREMONY FOR THE CHILDREN BY THE CHILDREN
Everyone is welcome to attend.
For further information, please call Br. Sohail Khan at ###-####.
Teachers, who are volunteers, play a very important role in building an Islamic personality in our children. They come to the Islamic Center every Sunday, spending their valuable time, to serve Allah SWT and to help our children learn Quran and Islam. The Teachers' Appreciation Day strengthens the bond between the parents and the teachers and enhances the learning process of the children, putting Islamic education in the right perspective.
IFCO ISLAMIC WEEKEND SCHOOL GRADUATION
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1994 - 11:00AM
St. STEPHEN COMMUNITY HOUSE, 1500 E. 17TH AVENUE
A CEREMONY FOR THE CHILDREN BY THE CHILDREN
Everyone is welcome to attend.
For further information, please call Br. Sohail Khan at ###-####.
June 1994 Don't Ask Me When I Will Be Back!
As-Salaam Alaikum, being Muslim, Jummah prayer is very important to me. We live in a culture that is mostly Christian. when I started to work, I made up my mind I would be attending Jummah prayer to be among my Muslim sisters. I explained this to my coworkers and my supervisor. they asked me what time would I be returning. I asked, "Do I call you on Sunday morning to ask what time you will be returning from church? That ended the questioning. Now they know not to schedule meetings or appointments around Jummah prayer. [Rhoda worked for Franklin County.]
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