Reflections on identity, writing and Islam from a Canadian Muslim convert.
What does a Canadian prayer rug look like? For this story, I interviewed the folks behind this unique project, who took it upon themselves to weave a prayer rug that was distinctly Canadian. I was impressed at how much thought went into the project, from the designs chosen to the materials used and even the techniques used to create the rug.
Read the story: A Canadian Prayer Rug Weaves Together the Stories of First Nation’s People, Muslim Immigrants, and Alberta’s Landscape
I got to pray at the Prophet’s (p) Mosque today. The first time was for maghrib (the sunset prayer), and there was no more space inside so everyone prayed in the courtyard. It is one of—if not the—most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. It’s sprawling canopies cover the courtyard worshippers, and the interior (from what I saw at isha (the evening prayer)) is [decorated with] intricate marble and arabesque designs. I got to pray on the rooftop—a massive white [floor] with domes and giant minarets that unabashedly sound the call to prayer and prayer itself. Then, as we started to pray, something beautiful happened: it rained. I prayed on the roof of the Prophet’s mosque in the rain, and the moment was truly a gift [from] God.
Author Willow G. Wilson said it best in her memoir, The Butterfly Mosque: “The line levels everyone. No Muslim is exempt from it; a saint must stand shoulder to shoulder with a murderer if a murderer is who he finds to his right.”
Every Friday, Muslims gather in mosques and musallahs for congregational prayer (jum’ah). Following a brief spiritual reminder, they all condense into lines, shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot, and pray together in unison. Everyone is on equal ground before God. Continue reading “Check-ins with God | Part 3”
Thank God for change rooms. Continue reading “Check-ins With God | Part 2”
If you ever come across someone with their head on the floor, don’t be offended if they don’t answer you when you ask them if they dropped something. There’s a good chance they’re simply praying. Continue reading “Check-ins With God | Part 1”
