I visited this mosque for Eid ul Fitr weekend one year. It is a relatively small mosque. Men and women pray in the same room. Women occupy one small corner of the mosque and sit in a lace curtained enclosure. The mosque was packed each time I prayed there and it was soon pretty stifling in the women's space because it is so small and enclosed and there was little space in which to move. The men's situation seemed better. Visibility was low from the women's section but all could hear the imam as it is such a small masjid. The mosque community is very warm and welcoming of outsiders and tolerant of a range of perspectives. Many of the regulars are converts. Sisters were very friendly. The khutbah was in English, but the imam (a revert) appeared to also have a good command of Arabic and to be knowledgeable. For Eid the mosque community set up huge food tents and fed anyone who came (biryani, curries, desserts) for free and gave children little goodie bags as well. Definitely a nice community and I would visit and pray there again.

ruhafsa

2005-06-15