Visit to an Islamic mosque

It's week 2 of my urban religions class and thus far we have gone over, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, and have attended the temples where these religions are practiced. I am inspired by their devotion to their practice. This week however, we dissected Islamic beliefs and this followed with a visit to the Islamic Center of southern California. Our class arrived and all of the girls of course had to wear a head covering (Hijab) which were provided to the girls in my class. I arrived with my hijab on. The many women arrived and they looked so colorful with their punjabis and cortas and Hijabs, it was a sight to see. We all found our place in the the women section. The men are in the front room which anyone can see is more lavishly decorated then the womens side. The Khutbas (prayers) are done at 1pm on Fridays many people come to pray during their lunch hour so time is money. Many of the girls did not want to join me in sitting with the women, so they sat in the back. So Imagine this.. a row full of white girls that clearly have no idea what is going on, this drew much attention and whispers from the women, if what they were whispering was good or bad, i will never know. The prayer began while they bowed and prayed, i began to pray also. I prayed for many things that weigh in my heart and for the first time in a long time, i felt God's presence. It was so amazing, the peace that befell on me was beyond what i could of asked for. I stood there speechless, in awe of my creator, and i could hear the womens prayers. I could see their love for Allah in the way they prayed. I felt as if our prayers were united in a spirit of solidarity, God was present in that place. I felt God's hand over me for that brief moment and it was all i could ask for this semester. Shortly after there were a group of imam's (leaders of prayer) from Iraq and the eldest spoke regarding the current condition of the Iraqi nation. The translator was not that good but what he did translate hit me like a knife stabbing my heart and then being twisted many times. I was heartbroken. The imam basically stated that they have not lost hope they are united, they know that Allah will give them victory and that they will prevail over their current enemy. He was referring to the U.S, I hate being referred to as an enemy but the truth of the mater is that this nation has hurt them and the battle for democracy is only an excuse to keep our troops there longer. I saw that desperation in their eyes, they were asking for their prayers and support they have been hit hard but they were not defeated. If i stand with anyone, i stand with them.

* an upside of the whole experience was seeing so many good looking Arab, Persian, and S.E Asian men :) that made my day.