The Crescent

The world celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr( Marking the completion of the Islamic Month of Ramadan) on Friday, 10th September. Mumbai celebrated Eid on the following day, as the Imaams were unable to sight the crescent on Thursday evening. With all the rains and cloudy skies, the chances to sight the moon,even if it had appeared was nil. I wonder why there isnt a system where the whole world celebrated Eid on the same day. On second thoughts, a little unsurety is always good,makes us remind that we are mere humans.

This year's Ramadan was special for me. I was in Mumbai with my husband for the whole month. I was at home and hence was able to offer most of the prayers and the food we ate after the opening of fast and before fast began was mostly prepared by me. Also it was the first time I went to an Eidgah( an open air place where people get together to offer their prayers on Eid).

Having lived in a place where the muslim population was less, I could easily associate with people going to temples or churches . It was all part of the culture. I used to visit the temple near my father's ancestral home till I was in high school, till I understood that idol worship was prohibited in Islam. Still, I find the aura and ambience created by the lamps and sculptures in south Indian temple very amazing.

The Chritian school where I studied had a chapel( small church) with a stautue of Mother Mary and crucified Jesus Christ. It was a source of peace for every child over there . I remember standing in my knees and praying in my difficult times, mostly exam days and regaining my peace within.

Masjids are places where muslims come together to offer salaat. There isnt any idol or statue. Its just a place for offering prayers. It is said that praying together pleases Allah. Women are generally not allowed inside mosques. I havent ever offered my namaaz (salat) in a Mosque.
This years Eidgah was the first time in my life where I saw so many men and women coming together to pray. I felt a little out of place. A feeling of non belonging crept into me. Was it the sight of so many purdah cladded women or the fact that they were talking in urdu a language in which I am not well versed. Imam explained how the Eid namaaz was going to be. A little different from normal prayers. After the prayer there was Khutbah by the Imaam which is religious narration including some verses from Holy Quran and a Dua which was in Urdu.

I wished that Khutbah was narrated in English or Urdu. I was listening to a very melodius recitation which I wasnt able to understand. Being a muslim I am supposed to learn arabic but all I know is just to read arabic without knowing the meaning. I am sure the state of many other muslims is no different. The Khutba in arabic made it meaningless in my perspection.

Islam is a very beautiful religion but many muslims follow Islam without understanding the meaning of Holy Quran and mugging up the versus in Arabic. Its true that following the same language holds together muslims from all part of the world by some force. But if it results to a blind faith then it lacks the whole purpose.

Another thing I noticed was women covered in black purdah and many wearing naqab that
hid there face. I dont remember reading anywhere in Holy Quran that women should dress in black. And the purdah system came from Arabia. Its true that Quran was revealed to prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) who was from Arabia. That doesnt mean we have to follow their dressing habit. Covering of face isnt mentioned either.

A lot of misinterpration or false ideas have crept in muslims and its high time they read the Holy Quran in a language they know and understand the true meaning of Islam.