This Friday!

 Today, it was the first time for me to take Jumaah prayer at the Earl Hall as last time, (the jamaah and) I had the prayer at the Interchurch at the 122nd Street. I was waiting in the Muslim Student Association prayer room at the 1st floor, when Omar, a new friend, was coming. Omar, a Palestinian (but recides in Jordan), is a Freshman of Columbia College. While waiting for other jamaah, we chatted about Palestine.

Omar said the situation is more condusive lately, but some problems still exist. Trade barrier and border access count as main problems. The trade barrier makes the economic growth lag behind, and the border access makes people difficult to look for opportunity out there. Omar is lucky as was born in the US and hold a US passport so he easily go back and forth. But his family must wait for 3 months for a visa.

After ten minutes waiting, I initiated to check the MSA's Facebook, in case the post a new announcement about the shalah. However, there is no new announcement. Thankfully, there was a man who were going to take a wudhu (ablution), so we asked him about the place. In fact the Jumaah prayer was in hall at the third floor. Then we went upstairs.

The theme of khutbah for friday prayer this week is Remembering Allah swt after Ramadhan as it's almost one month after Ramadhan ends. The khatib 'asked', "Do you remember how does it feel when you take your ifthar? Do you still thank Allah when you eat your dinner?"

The question shocked me. I realize that recently each time I eat, I never really thankful to Allah anymore. I do pray before I eat, but it is not as khusyu as it was during Ramadhan.

How about you?



photo courtesy of http://www.bookcentre.co.uk/3-7-years/1075-allah-gives-us-food.html