Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Question time!

Salam aleikum, all. Sorry I've be incommunicado for so long! I'm popping in to ask a question. Question: How many of my (non-Muslim) friends here would be willing to attend and observe a Friday prayer service, go to a class on Islam, or some other activity (festival, interfaith event, etc) at a mosque? If not, why? If you have been to such an event in the past, but would not be willing to go again, why wouldn't you? Share this with your friends! I want as many answers from as many people as possible.

10 comments:

  1. I'm not sure. I'm not sure based on two things, which are sort of the same thing. Based on the fact that I'm an atheist who rejected Islam (after having rejected Christianity), I'm not sure how welcome I would be. Secondly, I'm not sure I'd be able to shut up and not ask questions, and I'm not sure my questions would be welcomed.

    But aside from that, I would definitely be willing. I love learning more about people - I just don't like when you're not allowed to ask (critical) questions.

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  2. I would go again. Was pretty much always a good experience. But like Becky I had trouble not asking questions that made people angry LOL I always enjoyed just observing Islamic prayer. Its very peaceful.

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  3. I'd love to go! I wish there were a mosque in my area.

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  4. I went to a Muslim event as a non-Muslim before I met my husband and I often went to the mosque as a non-Muslim after marrying my husband.

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  5. I would go to all of those things. :)

    My reluctance to go back to our local mosque really just boils down to feeling out of place and alone. I don't know anyone there and I don't feel that they're very open to random people just dropping in. Which makes sense since they're a rather small community and they've apparently had problems with vandalism before so they try to fly under the radar. Which I think is sad, but I can also understand the thinking.

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  6. I would definitely go - I am interested in learning about different faiths and participating in interfaith events. I just find the subject fascinating, and, while I don't think I'll ever again end up on a monotheistic path, I respect other people's beliefs and traditions and love learning about them.

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  7. Women aren't allowed at my local mosque so I can't attend such things even though I would like to.

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  8. As a true Muslim I worship God Alone and I cannot support any kind of idol worship. UNfortunately my local mosques preach a corrupted version of Islam, and add Muhamed's name alongside that of God especially during the Shahada (call to prayer). This goes against the Quranic verse 47:19 "La illahah illalah" (So know that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)and also goes against Quranic verses 2:136 We believe in God and what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the Patriarchs and what was given to Moses and Jesus and all the prophets from their Lord. WE MAKE NO DISTINCTION AMONG ANY OF THEM. To HIM ALONE we are Submitters. Also refer to 3:84 and 4:150-152

    Women do not attend my local mosques. I cannot find any verse in Quran that excludes women from praying in a mosque with men, so perhaps that's a cultural tradition. Please correct me if there is a Sura and verse that states women should not pray together with men.

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    1. Anon,

      You're right about that. The Qur'an never forbids women from praying the mosque, or praying at any time, but if you listen to people who follow their hadith-rife cultural traditions, they'll tell you women should pray at home (because it's supposedly easier), and that they can't pray during their periods (despite 2:222 being the only verse on the topic in the Qur'an).

      I agree, the idol worship factor is one of the reasons I don't go to the mosque as much as I wish I could. That, and the discouraging of critical thought and questioning -- you either believe every word that comes from the hadith, the mouths of scholars, and the sheikh, or you're not a Muslim and shouldn't be there.

      I think they're afraid my questions will make someone *gasp* ...THINK. To them, blind acceptance is better. It's frustrating and annoying.

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  9. As a non-Muslim, I would love to go to a prayer service or any kind of Muslim event. I think it's incredibly important to understand other people's faith, but I've never really seen many interfaith events. I wish there were some though, it would be awesome.

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