Islam Notes

Notes I took down while we were at the Muslim Center of NY.

• People come everyday. Students come after school to learn about the Quran
• Majority of the people are from the South Continent, which includes India, Pakistan. Some Europeans attend as well.
• Around 3 generations of immigrants in America that attend.
• Congregants hardly live around the mosque.
• The mosque a functional pre-k to eighth grade school downstairs. Parents build a relationship with this specific mosque as they pick up their children
• Sunday – Quran School
• On a regular basis not that many people come. It depends on the circumstance, such as job obligations. People cannot afford to attend everyday, 5 times a day.
• Friday is the largest prayer and between 500-600 people come. There is usually something wrong if you miss Friday prayer.
• Unofficially the mosque was started in 1975 in a small apartment. In 1997 the official mosque was built, as the center purchased nearby houses. It was developed to satisfy the needs of the community.
• People do go to other mosques. If they have free time they choose to come to this specific mosque. In fact people are invited to offer prayer at other mosques. There are many other mosques in flushing. 2 mosques at northern; 1 at 73^rd avenue, and 2-3 mosques east of here.
• These mosques do not plan events together but they do let other mosques know about the events. There Is some competition among mosques as they compete for students on education.
• The school underneath the mosque was started because of community needs.
• The mosque also resolves marriage issues, offer consultations, and holds marriages.
• There is an Islamic requirement for marriage and couples need certification to wed them.
• The mosque does not offer divorce. In Islam, when the women brings up the initial thought of divorce or says she wants a divorce, the couple is already divorced. Over here, married couples must go to city hall.
• Indian, Pakistan, and Afghanistan congregants speak Urdu and Arabic
• Services are offered in English to avoid problems. Teenagers know primarily English. Sometimes pesdu and urdu are spoken.
• This is a Sunni mosque. A majority of NY muslims are Sunnis
• The difference between Sunnis and Shiites is a historic difference. Alli, who was a cousin of the prophet was the cause of this division. When the prophet died, the Shiites believed that Alli should assume his position next. The Sunnis disagreed. Approximately 5% Shiites in NY. Even in muslim countries, there is a majority of Sunnis.
• Some people in Iraq/Bahran are Shiites.
• There are 5 dated prayers each day. 5:00AM-5:15AM; 1:00PM-1:15PM; 6:15PM; 7:15PM; 9:30PM
• There are two major muslim holidays. Ramadan – celebration of breaking the fast. And the second is in memory of prophet Abraham. It is a holiday where animals are sacrificed.
• Muslims follow the lunar calender.
• After 9/11 the center experienced vandalism on its property.
• People of the community looked at muslims with doubt. Now, a majority of people have good relations with muslims. Police also has developed good relations with the muslims at this center.
• At this center a majority of the people are from the middle, lower class, with jobs such as car drivers or shop owners.
• In Long Island, the people usually have a higher social status.
• Males and female are separated during prayer but they listen to the same prayer. They face Mecca with no shoes on. When they start they placed their hands to their faces. The prayer timings are derived from the Quran. It is normal for the Imam to be in front and children to form the second completing line but this is not a must.
• The person who leads the prayer is equal to the congregants in the eyes of god. He only leads the prayer because he is more educated.
• Everyone must wear modest clothing.
• People can pray anywhere even at home. The place just has to be clean and they have to face mecca.
• Job of Imam is usually male and he leads both the male and females. In this mosque people were praying on different floors but there were speakers so everyone could hear the prayer.
• Men and women are separated because a place of worship is a place of worship only. If male and women are together, it creates distraction. Separation is not mandary.
• In Islam, men and women are equal under god.
• Friday service uses televisions. Muslim concept – Friday is special and Muslims should not miss it. There is a similar concept for Christians on Sundays and Jews on Saturdays.
• Clothing should be clean, modest and preferably white. Men do not have to cover head.
• Prophet Mohammad covered his head. Customs such as covering your head are out of respect and love to the prophet.
• When you face Mecca, you are directing your intentions toward God.
• You are discouraged to eat garlic/onion before the prayer. You should not do anything that may disturb others.
• The mosque offers several forms of service including marriage, child birth celebrations, and memorization of Quran celebrations.
• People pray individually if they miss group prayers.
• In Islam there are 5 pillars of faith.
• All prophets and messengers are equal.
• There are programs that are referred to “Opening the Doors” to inform others about Islam.
• Alms giving (charity) Is a part of Islam.
• There are no threats at this mosque currently. At other mosques, 9/11 has had a larger impact on children and many people call other muslims terrorists.
• Muslim kids become confused about their identity because they do not want to be seen as terrorists or different from other kids.