Everyday on our way to the Petroleum Institute, to deliver lectures and attend Board meetings we had passed the Sheikh Zayed Mosque; the 8th largest Mosque in the world. Each day I kept wishing we could stop, but alas there was too much business to do.
On our final day, after working very hard for 3 days - literally from 6:15 AM to around midnight each day, we had completed our business and had a few hours before I had to fly out. We asked and found that we could stop on our way by. It was nearing sunset and the 4th prayer of the day, so we were told we couldn't go in when we arrived at 5:30, but if we wanted to wait we could enter around 6:15 after prayers. Four of us elected to remain and one of the four (Saifur) who is a Muslim got to pray there for the 1st time ever.
In order to enter we had to put on traditional garb. It was worth it! We all learned a lot as Saifur took us around the inside and explained how things are done. Just like in our Christian world, the vast majority of Muslim's are are non-violent as violence is not a part of their religion. They are just like you and me. If anything, they worship God more visibly than we do - with 5 prayers a day at prescribed times based on the lunar calendar! If you are devout you never get to sleep in because the first prayer is before sunrise! It was great to see it all and learn so much!
Hope you enjoy the images! If you want to see more, visit the web site.
Cheri
Thanks for posting these Cheri - it's a glimpse into a world most of us never get to see.
ReplyDeleteSheila