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[crisdecuba]

Hi all,

As part of a school assignment (which I've been putting off), I have to attend a religious service of another religion. I've chosen to attend a Muslim service, as I think it'd be the most interesting.

That said, is there anyone that can give me a breakdown of what to expect? For example, if someone were going to a non-denominational Christian service, I could tell them that it usually starts with worship songs, followed by greeting one another, announcements, the sermon, the offering, and closing prayer (this varies, I know, but I'm just giving an example).

So, is anyone out there of the Muslim faith? If so, what can I expect? I think I'd get a better understanding if I know ahead of time.

Thanks in advance,

~Cris

 

[olimario]

I've been to a Catholic service before, but never an Islam service.
I think I'd like to go one day.

 

[topscouse]

Well there is no speech or sermon (unless its the friday prayer) its just a prayer. People get together in congregation and they follow the Imam who stands at the front, thats it, no music, nothing flashy, just a simple way of praying.

 

[norinrad21]

Just catholic service..... well i quit sunday school when i turned 13 sort of.

I still remember being told heaven is made of Gold and everything you could possibly imagine being free up there. :lol

 

[rastex]

Service starts at 1PM on fridays. There's a call to prayer and some people will perform their idividual prayers. There will be another call to prayer and the imam at the front will give a talk for a bit. Then he'll sit down, some people will make dua (putting their hands in front of their face and asking for blessings/forgiveness) then the imam will stand up again and give the second part of his talk. Depending on what Mosque you go to chances will be that the talk will be in English with arabic intermixed. At the end of the second talk the imam will make arabic dua and everyone will put their hands in front of their face and say "Ameen" A final call to pray (call the Iqama) will be made and the imam will lead a prayer.


Now, Muslim prayer is much different from Christian prayer, in that it's not just words being spoken, but physical actions that correspond with the prayer as well. Here's a brief summary

 

[effzee]

i was gonna explain it but rastex broke it down perfectly.


again thats only for fri prayers...otherwise u just go to the mosque, pray, and usually leave.

 

[Azih]

Yup, the little religious talk the imam gives (about 15-20 mins usually) before the friday prayers will be the most informative part of the evening for you probably. In the actual prayer you just follow along with what everybody else is doing. You can be a little slow in following so you don't have to jerk around when people do something you don't expect .

You should probably google up a translation of what is actually being said during the prayers after you come back since it's all in Arabic.

Edit: the little talk should be in English, it depends on where you go though.

 

[crisdecuba]

Wow, thank you all for your responses. I'll check out a translation if I have the chance, but simply knowing that it moves slow enough to not be completely lost is comforting. Oh, btw, I am going to the Friday prayer (that's what I thought was the "service"). Is there any specific attire that's preferred or discouraged? Also, in reading up on this I've come across something regarding not taking pictures or drawing pictures of people - so would it be bad to bring my digicam to take pics of the mosque/building?

Thanks again,

~Cris

 

[Azih]

Well the not taking pictures is something that only the more extreme pious people take offense to (Real stupid, because nobody seems to care how much video is shot of people praying in Mecca). But find out the people or organisation in charge of the mosque you plan to attend, give them a call and ask them if it's all right, they should be helpful and accomodating. Personally I think there shouldn't be any problems as long as there's no flash and you don't disturb anybody.

Friday prayer is a little different from Sunday service because Muslims are supposed to pray 5 times a day anyway and so the friday prayer is just a little extra special. It's important but not the focal point of the religious week like Sunday service is.

 

[Firest0rm]

omg lol, I was thining burial service in my head this whole time. :S

 

[kgHavok23]

as far as attire as concerned, you are usually supposed to wear full length jeans/pants whatever, not shorts. Of course this is for the people prayin, but its just like in a church i would imagine, you wouldn't go in wearing shorts either. And uh, well not to offend your intelligence or anything, but I wouldn't recommend a Budweiser shirt or anything drugs/booze related entering any building of prayer.

or anything Abercrombie....ick....Abercrombie...