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Below are reflections by three members of our group:
Journey goes to a mosque – what a unique opportunity, and one that is truly memorable! Hopefully, we have the beginning of a relationship that will be nurtured among believers of different faiths but corresponding values. This visit, billed as a sharing of Iftar with the Muslim community in Colonie, became an educational experience and a lesson in hospitality.
It began in the parking lot, when as soon as we were present in a group of four, a representative from the mosque came out an introduced himself. We were briefly separated by gender, since the women enter through the front door of the Mosque while men have a back door short cut! Removal of all shoes underlined the fact that we were entering a respected space. As females, we were asked to cover our heads, another tradition of respect that might be viewed as derogatory, but did not feel that way. Many present recalled the time when women were expected to wear a hat or kerchief to worship services in Christian churches.
Again separated by gender, we were invited to sit and observe the evening prayer. The women donned shawl-like garments, covering themselves completely except their faces. There seemed to be skill involved in the covering of one’s head and body with these garments; I could imagine myself completely tangled in cloth without being adequately covered.
Although the prayers are very structured, the women’s side of the mosque is a social place. Friends are greeted and babies fussed over while a steady stream of women come and go to participate in prayer. The prayers seemed quite ritualistic; moving from standing to nearly prostrate with foreheads to the ground while silently following the Imam’s chanted prayers. The ritual appeared to be passionately followed by some, while some seemed to follow the movements by rote.
The breaking of the fast was an impressive meal. Our visit was on a Friday, the most holy day of the week, and the dinner provided was fantastic. We were told that families volunteer to provide the food for Iftar, and that the food that day was of Afghani origin. The amount of food was impressive. No one could go hungry, even in a hall crowded with women and girls.
During dinner, our group was spread throughout the room, and various women welcomed us and shared their experiences with us. One lady provided education in the fundamental differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, while others shared their perspectives on life, faith, Ramadan, and Islam in America. Everyone made us welcome in their own way, sharing their food and their stories.
As dinner concluded, we received word that the question and answer session that had been cut short by the call to prayer could continue if we were willing to stay. To a person, our group embraced the chance to participate in further discussion with our hosts. As we moved back to a united group, many members of the Al-Fatemah community joined us, sharing the chance to answer our questions and relishing the opportunity to pose questions to us. The session became a learning experience for both guests and hosts. As the more formal questions dwindled and the session ended, informal conversations continued. It seemed no one wanted the experience to end!
Overall, the entire experience was incredibly positive. The Muslims we met were unfailingly welcoming and hospitable, and provided us with an unrivalled educational experience. In turn, we were able to demonstrate curiosity without bigotry, and could convey our desire to build an interfaith community that extends beyond Christian congregations. It is incumbent on us to ensure that the community which began on that Friday evening in Ramadan will continue and grow through the coming months.
Phyl Cunningham
Warm, welcoming introductions to a new way of worshipping. Separate entrance for women, wall cubbyholes for shoes. Graceful, flowing patterned drapes bowing in prayer – not in unison as the men, but in time with an inner rhythm. Chanted words spoken/sung in a language unfamiliar to me, but evocative of the Middle East. Helpful girls/women leading us to chairs, places of rest, the head of the sumptuous buffet line. English speakers ever present to explain, encourage, assure. Delightful, intelligent dinner conversation. A mixed-gender question and answer period, open communication, much in common. Gifts of the Qur’an made to individuals and to Journey. Closing prayer opportunity given to our pastor. One of the greatest evenings of my life.
Marcy Corneil
As usual for me, when I sign up for something like visiting the mosque, it seems like a great idea... and on the actual date of the event, I get the "what was I thinking, I don't have time for this" feeling. I am so glad I followed through. This was my first time in an all-day fast ever. Growing up Catholic, fasting meant not eating between meals! Not even drinking water from early morning to after sundown made me appreciate one small part of the Ramadan observation.
Professor Mafi was so engaging as he explained the parallels between our Christian faith and Islam. I learned that "Allah" is the Arabic word for "God" used in all faiths. The reader who "sung" the verses of the Koran had a beautiful voice. I liked the explanation of the women's modest dress -- the better to interact with women on the basis of the content of their minds, than the outlines of their bodies. But I was still a little irked by the separation of men and women; after all, I am a 1970s feminist who has chosen . This minor annoyance disappeared when we went to the women's side of the prayer room. The TV monitor showed it was all business -- prayer -- on the men's side. But on the women's side, the women prayed, greeted each other, interacted with children and other women. It was beautiful to see small girls and tweens take a prayer rug from the pile and quickly finish their prayers. I have to remind my daughter to keep her cell phone in her pocket during church services.
A few of the women urged us to go down quickly to room where the iftar, the meal to break the fast, was served, lest we find ourselves far back in the line of hungry women. They were so concerned for our comfort! "I hope the food will not be too spicy for you" I heard more than once. It was explained that the members of the mosque took turns cooking each day, and there were many ethnicities represented... Afghani, Iranian, Pakistani... Oh, my! Such delicious food! And time after time we were offered fruit, brownies, and more food. So gracious were our hostesses!
I was surprised when the entire community expressed a desire to have another, post-dinner question-and-answer period with us. They were as curious about us as we were about them! A lovely women in a red salwar kameez with matching headscarf described the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims in a way that parallels our own Christian sects... the Sunnis being more fundamentalist, and the Shia believing that religion must evolve. This being a Shia mosque, the "lady in red" (oh, why am I so bad at remembering names?) was fascinated and excited about the when I told her about the UCC's "God is Still Speaking" message. Another parallel point between our faiths! We were offered, and accepted, copies of an English translation of the Koran. She was concerned that we might misinterpret some of the text that is, admittedly, harsh in today's world. She urged me to tell others to read it with an understanding of 5th century history... very harsh times when female babies had so little value they were buried alive. So, "beat your wife lightly" is an order to be more gentle. She also wanted us to know that the Koran is organized in chapters mainly for ease of recitation... each numbered line may be a separate pronouncement from God through Mohammad.... so one verse may be totally unrelated to the verse before it and the verse after it. Interesting -- and unlike the Bible.
I hope to have the opportunity to continue our exchange with our sisters in faith... a different faith, but the same God.
Amy Klein
