Last Thursday
the local ‘Beyond Difference’ group organised a wonderful evening at Chesham
Mosque. We regularly hold these
gatherings in each other’s buildings and it was a delight to be with our
Islamic friends last week.
The first part of our time together, as always, was a themed presentation given by a Christian and then a Muslim speaker – followed by comments and observations from the floor.
As stimulating as that was I sense it was the second half of the evening that made the biggest impression. As it was Ramadan the daily fast last Thursday was due to be broken at 9.21pm – just as we were finishing. So all of us who were guests at the Mosque were invited to stay on and break the fast together with our Muslim friends – eating the most delicious samosas imaginable!
The first part of our time together, as always, was a themed presentation given by a Christian and then a Muslim speaker – followed by comments and observations from the floor.
As stimulating as that was I sense it was the second half of the evening that made the biggest impression. As it was Ramadan the daily fast last Thursday was due to be broken at 9.21pm – just as we were finishing. So all of us who were guests at the Mosque were invited to stay on and break the fast together with our Muslim friends – eating the most delicious samosas imaginable!
That act of
generous hospitality and friendship said a thousand words and made a deep
impression upon us.
So too did the opportunity towards the end of the meal to follow one of our hosts down to the Prayer Hall and watch the worshippers attend the Call to Prayer. We looked on as folk ‘did’ their prayers – that is – ‘prayer’ in the Islamic tradition is obviously not just about the words you say but the corporate act of bowing together and facing a specific direction – the ‘ritual’ is important – you literally ‘do’ your praying.
I thought that quite attractive and helpful and I can see that ‘going through the motions’ might actually become a very nourishing and meaningful discipline.
Last weekend we heard yet another tragic story from Orlando that combined mental illness, sexual identity tension, religious mania and the easy accessibility of guns. Our visit to fellow ‘seekers after truth’ last Thursday was, for me at least, a healthy corrective to all that.
Best wishes,
So too did the opportunity towards the end of the meal to follow one of our hosts down to the Prayer Hall and watch the worshippers attend the Call to Prayer. We looked on as folk ‘did’ their prayers – that is – ‘prayer’ in the Islamic tradition is obviously not just about the words you say but the corporate act of bowing together and facing a specific direction – the ‘ritual’ is important – you literally ‘do’ your praying.
I thought that quite attractive and helpful and I can see that ‘going through the motions’ might actually become a very nourishing and meaningful discipline.
Last weekend we heard yet another tragic story from Orlando that combined mental illness, sexual identity tension, religious mania and the easy accessibility of guns. Our visit to fellow ‘seekers after truth’ last Thursday was, for me at least, a healthy corrective to all that.
Best wishes,
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