Mosque Surprises

The trip to the Mosque was very insightful and it gave me a better understanding of the Islamic faith. What I liked the most was that the information received was it was more of a person to person experience that one would not typically be able to find by reading a book or textbook. I was able to learn more about the Islamic faith than what I already knew. What I was really in awe of is how closely related Islam is to Christianity and Judaism. The past two days has really allowed me to get a grasp on how Jesus is an important figure in Islam, just as he is for Catholics in a different way that is still closely related. Not only Jesus, but as well as others as Moses and Abraham are also important in Islam. Also, learning that Muslims do not look at Jews and Christians as the enemy, but rather as fellow worshipers of the same God has changed the way I view Muslims and Jews themselves. The information about typical stereotypes that Muslims receive from others and why it was all false was probably the most interesting topic of discussion for me. Just knowing they are all people worshiping in the same God that I do and wanting the same peace and goodness on earths that Christians and Jews do gives me a better understanding of Muslims. I no longer have the possible stereotypes that I had going into learning about Islam.

The two biggest surprises that I found in the Mosque on the trip was the wide open prayer room as well as normal school rooms with a gymnasium. I figured that the prayer room would be more like the traditional seating like the synagogue or basilica. I did not tend to think about the space and flooring needed for bowing down to the floor in prayer. It was also very plain with no decorations. I believe it is a sign that any decorations, pictures, or statues in the room gives them the opportunity to get as close to Allah as they can. They do not want any distractions to interfere with their prayers to Him.

The second surprise was the fact that the Mosque serves as a community center as well as their place of worship. The class rooms I expected once knowing it was more of a community place, but seeing the gymnasium was a big surprise. It helped me to realize that Muslims are not all about prayer in helping their children, but they also want to help them develop through games and activities. I just did not realize before that Muslims did not just want to push there children to prayer, but they want to show them to have some fun when not in prayer.