tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18173351.post5829886875990570945..comments2023-11-11T21:26:46.689+00:00Comments on This Side of Sunday: At the Neighbourhood MosqueJon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18173351.post-74132737706480237222010-09-14T02:59:08.383+01:002010-09-14T02:59:08.383+01:00good stuff, it would be great if you could make it...good stuff, it would be great if you could make it a regular thing to meet with the Imam or any other person there, you could break down each others assumptions about each other.<br /><br />I've enjoyed my handful of experiences at Sikh Temples and can relate to a lot of the feelings you express here.Tony Tantihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14619319927519736211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18173351.post-2006030732792138232010-09-14T02:28:44.199+01:002010-09-14T02:28:44.199+01:00good job on taking a step outside your comfort zon...good job on taking a step outside your comfort zone.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03630892936483995921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18173351.post-14115823118000471552010-09-13T16:02:32.637+01:002010-09-13T16:02:32.637+01:00This is an excellent description Jon and I'm s...This is an excellent description Jon and I'm so glad you went! <br /><br />I'm not sure if it is common to all mosques but I went to Ramadan feast at one years ago and the women and children were in an upper room- complete separate but it had basically the same feeling as yours. It was a bit chaotic with little ones all around and the prayers were lead through a tiny speaker in the ceiling instead of by a real man. <br /><br />I also found them extremely friendly and open. Of course this was before 9/11 but I suspect it wouldn't be too different now. <br /><br />The mosque I went to was in Vancouver and I was 18. The Imam and assistant Imam (not sure what he was called but seemed to be the equivalent of our associate pastors) came and personally chatted with our group of visitors after. <br /><br />I went as part of a group from Capernwray Bible school. We were not to debate or anything, our school director just thought it would be vital for us to see what is going on for ourselves. I am so thankful he did that. We also went to see Buddhism and Hinduism up close. <br /><br />I also found the separation of women and men odd... it DID feel a bit like we women were just not as important to be in the real area... the room we were in was very plain and just not as majestic as the room the men were in. And we were not allowed in that room. <br /><br />It was that experience that made me want to learn more so I took a few classes at CBC from Eric DeBruyn on Islam. I loved those classes. It just helped me understand it all so much more. <br /><br />And as a side note I feel EXACTLY the same way when entering an unknown group of people- no matter what their religion might be. And I also feel completely awkward with the beginning chit chat. I'm just not good at it :)Tarasviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04750633944607986537noreply@blogger.com