Visit to the Mosque

After arriving in Dubai very late on Friday, May 25, we received an early 7:00 a.m. wake up call. After breakfast we set out to visit a Mosque, the only one in Dubai that allows non-muslims inside. We followed very strict instructions on dress code and most importantly, the need to cover our heads. With no knowledge of how to arrange the head cover, I asked another student who happens to be from Saudi Arabia to help me with the adjustment of my head cover.

The tour guides at the Mosque explained the order of protocol of the mosque. They explained the number of times (5-6) per day the call goes out for prayer and the abolution that is necessary for each person before they enter the mosque. The abolution process is an important aspect of the visit for prayer. As I listened to and watched the demonstration of the washing process, that is the abolution, and the emphasis placed on it, one very common saying in my culture came to mind, that is, "cleaniness is next to Godliness".

The guide demonstrated the prayer tyically said and led by the 'Amam', and pointed out where he stands and speaks to the members in the mosque. It was explained that women who are most often at home with the children typically takes time to pray at the same time when the call for prayer goes out and are not necessarily missing out on praying. It was also mentioned that women who are able to come to the Mosque for prayer always pray in a separate room to the men. It was explained that the reason for the separation of the sexes is to illiminate the distraction for the men, since a major part of prayer necessitates some bending.

I continue to question in my mind whether the explanation given regarding women praying at home or in a separate room at the Mosque is sending the message that women are considered subordinates and whether it is another way of saying that women are not equal. Maybe at the end of my visit in Dubai, the answers would become much clearer to me.