My little mosque

Assalamu Aleikum!

I live in an apartment next to the local football ground. It never ceases to amaze me that a place as small as my little town has a professional team that plays in the top division of the UAE league. Currently we are second to bottom with just one win this season. But inshallah that will all change as the crowd of about 100 supporters get behind the team.

I mention the team and football ground because this is where I go to pray. Within the grounds is a small mosque. It reminds me of the mosque at Reading University in that it is a portakabin, terrapin or whatever the term is for a fairly basic temporary structure. I guess it is there for the footballers but many local men use it. To get there I walk past all the building work (in UAE there is always building going on!) and over a clump of sand. I pass the gym where all the young lads who want to be Arnie hang out. Then I come by the social club and arrive at the mosque. If there is no football then there are probably about 5 worshippers but if football is on then the whole team is there in their best tracksuits.

The imam is youngish. I would guess in his thirties and often has his son with him. When I arrive I'm greeted with a smile. The imam calls the adhaan himself and leads the prayer. His recitation is carried over loudspeakers so if you're late you know how far through he is.

Many of the worshippers speak fluent English and they seem genuinely pleased to see someone like myself going to the mosque. Before I came to the UAE I thought I would be praying in large, stately mosques with minarets. But in saying that my little mosque is just right because of the warm welcome I receive. As many people say it's not what's on the outside but what's on the inside that matters!

Masalamah
Yahya