Red Cross Blogs

Monday at the Mosque

By Anna Carter
October 26, 2009 at 3:30 pm

Last Monday I spent the day at the mosque. I had been invited to attend a course designed for people whose work brings them into close contact with the Muslim community, with the aim of increasing understanding the Islamic faith with a view to improved service provision for the Muslim community. As I believe communication and understanding are key factors in cross community working, and indeed key factors for harmonious living with ones neighbour generally; I donned a long sleeve top, a scarf to cover my head, checked that my socks were hole-less and set off for the mosque.

I was greeted on the steps by the Imam (religious leader) who was to guide myself and the other participants on whistle-stop tour of Islam. The Imam defined himself as second generation British Muslim hailing from Dewsbury in Yorkshire. He embraced the task of guiding us to a greater understanding of his faith; telling the story of Islam in the UK aided by anecdotes from his family’s experiences as they have changed through the generations.

Throughout the day we explored many of the assumptions that are held by many non-Muslims in the UK about Islam and those people who follow this faith. One of the most important lessons that I learnt during the day was the need to challenge assumptions and the engage in dialogue with those people whose background, beliefs and experiences may be different to your own.

The highlight of my day was attending midday prayer inside the mosque; a true privilege. The aim of the day was to break down boundaries; the experience of being allowed to witness this act of worship by the local community achieved this for me. Muslim prayer epitomises exotic difference: with the call to prayer sung out, the use of prayer mats, the turning towards Mecca and the prostrate position that is assumed. To witness this, and have the various elements of the faith explained and shared with us was a very humbling experience.

When I told the young refugees with whom I work, many of whom are Muslim, where I had spent the day on Monday they were thrilled. They were so pleased to find someone seeking to understand a little better something that is hugely important in their lives. They were eager to talk about what I had seen done and learnt, what I had found strange and what I liked. Sharing, communicating and seeking to understand that which is different form the basis of living harmoniously with others; ideas we promote in the project and indeed underpins much of the work of the Red Cross.

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Tags: islam, learning, mosque, refugee, understanding

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