The temptation to use the word juxtaposition is particularly great in NYC. I was surprised that a search of this blog returns only two uses since its inception. So, I use it again - if there is need for the word juxtaposition, the scene in the photo (taken in Prospect Park, Brooklyn) has to be one of those times. In many decades living here, this is the first time I have witnessed this act in public in NYC. Islam, like all major organized religions, has many rituals and laws, and the daily prayers, or salat, are one of the pillars of the faith. The purpose, number, times of day, place, preparation, dress, movements and positions are all prescribed. These prayers are required of every adult Muslim and are performed on a traditional prayer mat, or musalla, five times a day: 1. Fajr - Before sunrise. 2. Zuhr - After the sun begins to decline from its zenith. 3. Asr - Mid-afternoon. 4. Maghrib - Just after sunset. 5. Isha - night. The supplicant faces qibla (Arabic for the direction faced when praying) which is towards the Kaaba in Mecca. I found the scene encouraging to see such a group together - Islamic women praying, Hispanic families having a picnic, Caucasian children and an older woman in the playground and two black children fishing in the lake behind me ...
Monday, July 23, 2007
Salat
The temptation to use the word juxtaposition is particularly great in NYC. I was surprised that a search of this blog returns only two uses since its inception. So, I use it again - if there is need for the word juxtaposition, the scene in the photo (taken in Prospect Park, Brooklyn) has to be one of those times. In many decades living here, this is the first time I have witnessed this act in public in NYC. Islam, like all major organized religions, has many rituals and laws, and the daily prayers, or salat, are one of the pillars of the faith. The purpose, number, times of day, place, preparation, dress, movements and positions are all prescribed. These prayers are required of every adult Muslim and are performed on a traditional prayer mat, or musalla, five times a day: 1. Fajr - Before sunrise. 2. Zuhr - After the sun begins to decline from its zenith. 3. Asr - Mid-afternoon. 4. Maghrib - Just after sunset. 5. Isha - night. The supplicant faces qibla (Arabic for the direction faced when praying) which is towards the Kaaba in Mecca. I found the scene encouraging to see such a group together - Islamic women praying, Hispanic families having a picnic, Caucasian children and an older woman in the playground and two black children fishing in the lake behind me ...
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7 comments:
This is a BIG picture... nice.
heidi - yes it is and thanks!
What a great photo! What a great world we live in...if only everyone would embrace it.
thank you brain for this photo. Thanks aslo for giving a simple but good picture of Moslem prayers.
YOu're great, man.
Masha Allah, this is the way muslims should be, perform their salat on its time, no matter where you are. this is how true muslims should be. Masha allah, Masha allah.
Masha Allah, this is how muslims should be, perform their salat on its time, no matter where you are and what you do. this is how true muslims should be. Masha allah, Masha allah.
Nice, Very nice scene my dearest sister. Allah Ta'ala give you najat in resurrection day.
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