Ramadan is just rolling on by… soon we will say bye to Ramadan.
For the Third Friday of Ramadan 2017, I decided to walk from my home to Masjid Omar Al-Farook in East Vancouver.
Or rather, the decision was made for me, as I waited too late to start my Jumah journey to reach any of the Friday Prayers in Surrey or Richmond on time.
This Muslim couple, like myself, are walking towards Masjid Omar on 10th Avenue, a few steps west of Commercial Drive.
Seeing Muslims wearing their national dress while walking the streets of Vancouver is still uncommon enough, that when they do, you notice them.
Masjid Omar Al-Farook was our stop for Iftar on Day 2 of Ramadan 2017.
Arrived early enough to get my first choice of top shelf for placing my shoes.
Early enough to also get my preferred choice in Jumah prayer: the first row.
…Well, initially I was in the second row… yet when the time to pray came, after the Jumah Qhutbah was delivered, I was able to stand immediately to the right of the mimbar and complete the prayer.
The Sermon was a reminder that we STILL have time left in this Ramadan to work on ourselves in preparation for the rest of the year after Ramadan. We still have time to do good works in the remembrance of Our Creator. A sign our good deeds are accepted may that we no longer continue bad behaviour after Ramadan, that we were choosing to do before Ramadan. It was during Ramadan that we paused those things. And perhaps we can turn that pause into a full stop. This is my take-away for the Lecture, though they Iman conveyed these reminders in his own way.
After we had completed the Jumah prayer, the Imam shared messages from the Masjid.
For all the remaining 9 nights of Ramadan, Masjid Omar Al-Farook is providing full Iftar Dinners plus pre-dawn Sahoor meals for anyone.
Also, Taraweeh prayers will now be followed by Qiyam Al-Layl, an additional optional Night Prayer of 8 Rakats. Qiyam will begin at 1 a.m.
For the Big Day, Eid Al-Fitr, Masjid Omar is hosting an Eid Prayer. It will be lead by Shaikh Yoonus Kathrada.
Eid Salah is scheduled for 9 a.m. sharp start at South Hall at 8273 Ross Street, in South Vancouver. They ask you bring your own prayer mats.
Eid ul-Fitr is anticipated for Sunday June 25 2017 as per Global Moonsighting.
Time to walk back home…
I realize a nap is in order, since there’s all this praying to do throughout the night. InshAllah.
Wonder if it might also be this little Muslim kid’s naptime too?
