For my regions study, I attended a Muslim worship service in Lockport, NY. I attended a Muslim Friday prayer service. It is traditional during these mandatory services for men to attend and although sometimes some men cannot due to work obligations. This service was a less formal since the setting that took place among several university students in a room that off to the side.
The Lockport Islamic Community center has been in existence in the Western New York area for more than 50 years. The community center was established, with the help of Masjid. Masjid wanted a pray center the could hold a service for over 700 people. An organization hall was also established in 1959 for the community for large gatherings such as Eid prayers or other …show more content…
Its typical to wear plain white socks and dress paints to service. White socks are typical worn since it represents the cleansing of the soul and body. I was under the impression that most of the men present in the room had been preparing for this service since the morning, as they looked focused and freshly showered, shaved. I found it oddly creepy how focused they were. Before I entered, the person who was serving as my guide for this Friday prayer service told me that I must set foot in the room with only my right foot before the left was permitted. I was told that if I was a woman, it would be necessary for me to go to the far left side of the room, away from the men and presumably out of sight. In many parts of the middle east women are not seen as equals and even simple things such as going to restaurants many families will not sit with each …show more content…
Women are allowed to attend these services on Fridays but for them, this is not seen as essential as it is for men. There is little explanation for why there were no women present, it might be either due to the fact that these are men who knew one another to begin with or that women simply chose not to attend. These vital Friday prayer services are open to those who are non Muslims and wish to learn more or become part of the faith, which made this an optimal setting in which to view this observance. The friend who I am accompanying and who will translate what is said to me explains that Friday is the most important day of prayer for him and that even outside of the service itself, he spends as much time as possible throughout the day in praise so that he can experience the rewards of Allah. I noticed while attending the religious service, that the men were not loud. More surprising they did not speak much. To my understanding on the day I attended worshiping for the gods began and at noon. They all seemed highly focused and introspective; there was little looking around from one to another and it appeared they were preparing themselves for the prayer service ahead. The men, with the exception of the leader, were all dressed in everyday clothes but they looked clean and can be best described as business
The Lockport Islamic Community center has been in existence in the Western New York area for more than 50 years. The community center was established, with the help of Masjid. Masjid wanted a pray center the could hold a service for over 700 people. An organization hall was also established in 1959 for the community for large gatherings such as Eid prayers or other …show more content…
Its typical to wear plain white socks and dress paints to service. White socks are typical worn since it represents the cleansing of the soul and body. I was under the impression that most of the men present in the room had been preparing for this service since the morning, as they looked focused and freshly showered, shaved. I found it oddly creepy how focused they were. Before I entered, the person who was serving as my guide for this Friday prayer service told me that I must set foot in the room with only my right foot before the left was permitted. I was told that if I was a woman, it would be necessary for me to go to the far left side of the room, away from the men and presumably out of sight. In many parts of the middle east women are not seen as equals and even simple things such as going to restaurants many families will not sit with each …show more content…
Women are allowed to attend these services on Fridays but for them, this is not seen as essential as it is for men. There is little explanation for why there were no women present, it might be either due to the fact that these are men who knew one another to begin with or that women simply chose not to attend. These vital Friday prayer services are open to those who are non Muslims and wish to learn more or become part of the faith, which made this an optimal setting in which to view this observance. The friend who I am accompanying and who will translate what is said to me explains that Friday is the most important day of prayer for him and that even outside of the service itself, he spends as much time as possible throughout the day in praise so that he can experience the rewards of Allah. I noticed while attending the religious service, that the men were not loud. More surprising they did not speak much. To my understanding on the day I attended worshiping for the gods began and at noon. They all seemed highly focused and introspective; there was little looking around from one to another and it appeared they were preparing themselves for the prayer service ahead. The men, with the exception of the leader, were all dressed in everyday clothes but they looked clean and can be best described as business