May i pray Here?

[Faarax-Brawn]

Its Duhr and its salaat time, you are among 60.000 people and you get up and look for a spot somewhere. You think to yourself, "Nice Spot" , you pull out today's paper, spread it, one of your friends says the iqama and "Allahu Akbar" you start your prayers. All is smooth.(You think) You go back and join the rest of the 60.000 people, and before you take your seats, federal agents are all over you, you are asked to leave your seats. As you are escorted, jeers and boo's from by 59.996 people. You are taken to aroom and questioned, quized and asked about your religious inclination.

 

Sound like something from Law & Order?. Think again. This happened to some four muslims watching a Football game @ the giants stadium in NY. Read more

 

During this era of post 9-11, should muslims ask relevant authorities permision to pray on public places? . For your own safety, to

Do you feel safe? Do you pray in public areas?, have you prayed in public areas before?, if so did you have any problems?

 

What do you guys think?

[Abdulladiif Al-Fiqih]

I have prayed on the side of the highway and in rest area numerous times while traveling. I also prayed in a county jail while visiting my cousin just few weeks ago but I had to ask the authority if it was ok and all they said was go ahead but just make sure you do not block the entrance! I would suggest anyone to ask the authority if you have to perform your salat in public.

 

A cousin of mine and couple of his friends were praying Maghreb on a compound of a gas station somewhere in Kansas M. The gas station Employees called the police on them. They questioned them and they finally let rest of the guys go but my cousin. He had some cash many on him (he buys and sells cars), a laptop, notebook, and prayer mat, and big beard iyo dee surwaal gaaban. They thrown him jail and detained him for few nights and later let him go. Moral of the sheeko public haku tukan hadii ayna dani kuggu qasbin!

 

 

Ciid Wanaagsan Sxb!

[Strawberry_Xu]

In a way I can understand that the authorities are jittery when there are thousands of people gathered together, and not least of all, President Bush is attending.

 

You have to think the way non-Muslims do. They usually pray say on Sundays and before BIG events. So to see four men praying, these people must have thought that the muslims were praying for strenght to perform some act or other. Religious commitment is usually not really part of their daily physical routines.

 

Sure it's all ignorance, and you'd think that post-9/11, you'd want to read up on Islam just to see what all the fuss is about..... There are plenty of reasons to be scared of terrorists, but what I'd do is learn when I need to be scared, instead being scared needlessly.

 

Also, about being scared of long beards, would a potential terrorist want the attention he'll attract by wearing a really long beard before blowing himself up?

[Shirwac]

If you are that religious why the heck would you be at a football game? Not that there is anything with with it.But you can plan your prayers and your fun activities. Are prayers combined when traveling?

[Faarax-Brawn]

Thanks All.

 

Ina Baari: I am sure your cuzin wadaad has learnt his lesson.

 

Xu , I beleive you are right, its fair to ask relevant authorties for a place to pray.

 

I somewhat think some wadaado get a lil light headed when it comes to Diinta. No need to attract too much attention.

 

If you are that religious why the heck would you be at a football game?

 

Shiir: You are a weired one, dude.