Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Ramadan day 9 Noori Masjid, Plano


Allama Iqbal said it well, “Tujhe kya milega namaaz may” what do you get out of fasting and prayer, if it does not make you a humble person. Humility is the other name for Taqwa or spirituality, it broadly means treating, feeling and acting equal with your employee, spouse, kids or others; Muslim or not. How do we measure up?

REFERENCES



Title - Ramadan day 9- Noori Masjid, Plano
Date - Saturday, July 28, 2012 | Ramadan 9, 1433
Mosque -   Noori Masjid  (972) 423-5786
Address - 1251 Shiloh Road, Plano, Tx 75074
29 Mosques - 29 days of Ramadan at: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com
Iftaar Time today: 8:34 PM CST
Recommended reading listed below the note



EXPERIENCE RAMADAN AT NOORI MASJID



Artists rendering of Noori Masjid, click to enlarge the image
It is a euphoric feeling to feel at home again, I am home* at this Masjid as well, and I was thankful to God for removing every barrier in my life between me and another human being. I believe this is what God meant, to know each other, and when we do, we are home, no matter where we are, and blissfully, I am. The purpose to mention these feeling are to encourage you to have it, by merely respecting the otherness of other.
Allama Iqbal said it well, “Tujhe kya milega namaaz may” what do you get out of fasting and prayer, if it does not make you a humble person. Humility is the other name for Taqwa or spirituality, it broadly means treating, feeling and acting equal with your employee, spouse, kids or others; Muslim or not. How do we measure up?
The welcome was nice, as I was seated with a Khajoor (date) and a napkin, I was smiling to have an actual napkin in my hand.

There were at least six or seven men in bottle green turbans, something I had seen on the great grandson (14th) of Imam Bukhari, and who and I were fellow Ambassadors for peace with UPF. He passed away three years ago and I had great memories of him. At the Parliament of world’s Religions in Melbourne at the Flag Ceremony, I asked people to pick up the flag of a nation that is not theirs or the one their nation is in conflict with, I handed a Palestinian Flag to an Israeli Rabbi and the Israeli Flag to Imam Bukhari, in the spirit of goodwill both complied and actually said, it was a great feeling to be in other’s shoes.

Breaking the fast

Time for silence,  everyone was ready for breaking the fast, the Imam recited a short three verse prayer before breaking the fast,  and then the traditional verses after we had the date and the water, some had milk ( I am allergic to lactose). He recited and we repeated. It is not a common tradition in other Mosques. 
Prayers
An after reciting the Sura Fateha in Qiyam (standing position of the prayer - the picture on left panel of the site gives different postures), it was quite, unlike the “Aameen” said in Audible Chorus Mosque wide in other Mosques.  This is how it was when I was growing up, no one said Ameen out loud.

When growing up, I was taught, that in the final sitting position, the toes of the right foot remain facing in the same direction as you are, making an "L" out of your foot. Personally, I cannot do it any more due to my ingrown tow nails, and I do not see that discipline in the last 8 days,  as I witnessed today. Physically, this posture brings relief to the feet.

The full prayer was identical to most of the Sunni tradition. However, after the conclusion of the prayer with a Salaam to the right and the left, there was supplication lead by the Imam, and  the congregants say Aameen at the end of each verse recited, there was an invocation for Darood (reciting special verses of peace to Prophet Muhammad) as well. This practice is not common any more. 



A unique tradition is observed here, and that is, whenever, the name of Prophet (pbuh) is recited, every one out of reverence, kisses his or her fingers and let the fingers touch the closed eyes for a moment. 

The Iftaar dinner was delicious, The Biryani was one of the best ones  I have had in a while, hot but great and the Pakoras were great as well.

The current Masjid is in a portable building, a fairly large one. When I was with Grand Homes, before we built the Model Homes, we rented these huge portable buildings for about $1000/month. The Mosque management has done a great job in customizing it to make a Mehrab for the Imam's area.
The Mufti Saheb, someone who has received special education to be able to render opinions on religious matters. Indeed, my nephew is planning to be one in Bangalore. He led the prayers short and sweet. Again, during Ramadan, let the prayers be short and avoid reciting long Chapters or taking more time in Ruku (bent position) and Sajda (prostration).
The man sitting next to me in the Masjid said he moved from Connecticut for his son’s schooling, the Plano Schools and the Religious school here at the Islamic academy of this Masjid.  Wow! So many Muslims have moved to Dallas for the Religions education, I am not sure about other cities, but I do know we have great many schools. I may have to go sit and listen. It is my town, and I want to do my share of work in building a cohesive America.
The freeway was blocked and I had to cut through the traffic and barely made for the Iftaar. The Masjid is under construction, it is going to be a big one with 10,406 Square feet ground for the school and the sanctuary. It looks like a beautiful Mosque.
Visit their website www.IslamicAcademy.org

The Boston Globe News paper is one paper that captures pictures of Ramadan from around the world, there are some 50 pictures in one group showing how Eid   was celebrated in 2009, and how Iftaar began this season. These are really beautiful pictures listed on this site.
My best memory of an Imam in green turban goes back to my Childhood, when an Imam visited from Hyderabad every year and gave sermons on Friday that was 45 years ago! The one I cannot forget is on Sura Fateha, the first chapter of Quraan, I don’t remember the details, but it produced good feelings then. Indeed, Sura Fateha is a summary statement of Islam.
If reading this is offering you an understanding of different traditions within Islam, and opening your heart and mind to respect other traditions, please feel free to share your comments.
One of the purposes for my visits to different Mosques each day, during the month of Ramadan is to understand various traditions and have the cushion to absorb them all and give full value to each one. I hope, some day, more and more Muslims make these rounds. It is humbling and yet powerful to have the ability to understand the differences and respect them.


Please mark your calendar for the Unity Day USA, a positive event that brings all Americans Together to rededicate our pledge for a peaceful, prosperous and secure America. We are a part of America and we need to feel and live it.  If you liked some of the articles, you will like the description of Unity Day USA at www.UnityDayUSA.com



A few other Articles to read if you have the time:

What does God really want?

Are Muslims a part of the American society? http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-muslims-part-of-american-story.html

A call from God to know each other http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/01/mission-of-world-muslim-congress.html


Please visit 
http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/ for a record since 2010.

MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.comis updated daily

No comments:

Post a Comment

MUSLIM SPEAKER

MUSLIM SPEAKER
Email to: SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com

Voice of Moderate Muslims

Voice of Moderate Muslims
Voice of Moderate Muslims

Moderate Islam Speaker

Moderate Islam Speaker
Moderate Islam Speaker

quraan burning

Planned Muslim Response to Qur'an Burning by Pastor Jones on September 11 in Mulberry, Florida

PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2013| Dallas, Texas

Mike Ghouse
Text/Talk: (214) 325-1916
MikeGhouse@aol.com

Mirza A Beg
(205) 454-8797
mirza.a.beg@gmail.com

www.WorldMuslimCongress.com


PLANNED MUSLIMS RESPONSE TO QUR'AN BURNING BY PASTOR JONES ON 9/11/13 IN MULBERRY, FLORIDA

We as Muslims plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.

Our response - we will reclaim the standard of behavior practiced by the Prophet concerning “scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Qur’an” (Muhammad Asad Translation Note 31, verse 41:34). It was "To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil." It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.”

God willing Muslims will follow the divine guidance and pray for the restoration of Goodwill, and on that day many Muslim organizations will go on a “blood drive” to save lives and serve humanity with kindness.

We invite fellow Americans of all faiths, races, and ethnicities to join us to rededicate the pledge, “One nation under God”, and to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans. This event is a substitute for our 10th Annual Unity Day Celebration (www.UnitydayUSA.com) held in Dallas, but now it will be at Mulberry, Florida.

Unwittingly Pastor Jones has done us a favor by invigorating us by his decision to burn nearly 3000 copies Quran on September 11, 2013. Obviously he is not satisfied by the notoriety he garnered by burning one Qur'an last year.

As Muslims and citizens we honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution. We have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones' freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to permeate in our society.

We plan to follow Jesus Christ (pbuh), a revered prophet in Islam as well as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – that of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing good will for the common good of the society.

We hope, this event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world as well, that violence is not the way. Muslims, who react violently to senseless provocation, should realize that, violence causes more violence, and besmirches the name of the religion that we hold so dear. We believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to the mankind, and we ought to practice what we believe and preach. We must not insult Islam by the negative reactions of a few.

We can only hope it will bring about a change in the attitude of the followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety – We hope this small step towards a bridge to peaceful coexistence would propel us towards building a cohesive society.

Like most Americans a majority of Muslims quietly go about their own business, but it is time to speak up and take positive action instead of negative reaction. May this message of peace and goodwill reverberate and reach many shores.

Lastly, we appreciate the Citizens of Mulberry, Florida, Honorable Mayor George Hatch, City Commissioners, police and Fire Chiefs for handing this situation very well. This will add a ‘feather of peace’ in the City’s reputation. We hope Mulberry will be a catalyst in showing the way in handling conflict with dignity and peace.

We thank the Media for giving value to the work towards peace rather than conflict.






URL- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html



Thank you.

CIVIL DIALOGUE

The people in Dallas are making an effort to understand and clean their own hearts first, when we are free from bias, it would be easy to share that with others. Islam teaches us in so many ways to "respect the otherness of others" and it is time we find simple practical ways of doing it.