I was a really shocked upon pulling up the Mosque in Cedar Rapids. I was assuming that the Mosque would be elaborate with gold and color all around. The mosque was very simple. The exterior of the mosque was an all white buidling with accents of blue. Walking into the mosque reminded me of my church basement with the different rooms.
Our tour consisted of a session with Hassan Igram. He talked to us for about an hour. I felt that a lot of the things we talk with us about, Dr. Waldmeir had already covered during our class lectures. Hassan read from the Qur'an giving us a little bit of a look into what Arabic sounds like. I found this to be interesting hear Arabic for the first time. From the different photos on the wall writen in Arabic, the writing almost looked to be artwork.
After Hassan was finished speaking with us, he took us on a short tour of the mosque. He took us down a long narrow hallway which consisted of different rooms that served as classrooms and rooms where mothers with their children can pray. At the end of the long hallway was a gym. This gym served as a place where the community can congregate together for certain activities. Hassan mentioned that the gym is also an alternative in case the prayer room was too small.
Hassan then took us into the prayer room. We removed our shoes and walked in. The room was VERY simple. In consisted of blank walls and red carpet with lines outlining where Muslims pray. In the corner of the room was a wooden "archway". This archway was a focal point in the room. It directs the Muslims to the east so they know where the Kabba in Mecca is located. This room was very plain. There were absolutly no decorations to be found. I was a little taken back by the simplicity.
Hassan had talked about the Muslim population in Cedar Rapids. He had mentioned that there was about 2600 people in Cedar Rapids who are considered Muslim. Of that number, only 300 people are active in the Islam faith. Hassan said that there was about 150 members of that particular mosque we had visited. I was expecting this number to be a little higher.
Overall, I was unimpressed with the mosque. I was just expecting a lot more than I saw.
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I have a hunch I'll be responding this way to a lot of blog postings on the mosque visit, Elizabeth. I too was not impressed, and of course I take the blame for not finding a better location. I had worked with members of the mosque before, but not with its leadership. They were difficult to contact.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the most impressive part was to hear the Qur'an read, and I'm glad we got that experience. jw