Ramadan Mubarak!!

Ramadan Muburak to everyone, family and friends alike!! 

All of Egypt is decorated for Ramadan. So far we have prayed three nights of tarawaeeh and fasted for two days, today being our third. Here in Egypt Taraweeh is eight rakats. After four rakats there is a twenty minutes speech then the last four rakats and witr. Isha is at 7:45 and we are finished by 10:00.  I was afraid that because we are in Egypt Taraweeh would take forever but it does not.  Both the men's and ladies' sides are filled to the max. The masjid is very large with two floors for both the men's and ladies' side.  

Something amazing happened during the speech... everyone stayed and listened. Yes, some people got up to get some water and some people were talking but the Imam could be heard.  As for the water, there are three or four cups that everyone drinks out of. I saw people getting up and bringing a cup of water back to where they were sitting. Along the way they would ask if anyone wanted some. From the same cup. 

Here in Egypt we do not leave our shoes outside or even by the door. Shoes getting taken is a problem here (but not for us).  There are shoe racks in the masjid but it is not enough for everyone who comes for Taraweeh.  The entire stairwell on the ladies' side is littered with shoes. I am suprised that no one gets hurt from slipping on a shoe and falling down the stairs. 

After witr there is a lot of pushing and shoving to get to the door. The sister's side has only one entrance for two crowded floors of people. So there is a swarm of people trying to get out thru one set of double doors.   Last night I was near the front so I thought if I hurry I could get out quickly. Big mistake.  I could feel people from behind trying to go and the people in front were not moving so I was getting very squished.  About seven people violated my personal space at the same time.  My bubble has long been popped.

People try to talk to me and most of the time I can't understand what in the world they are telling me but I am slowly starting get a grip on the language. Tonight at the masjid I was able to answer a few questions in Arabic.   It is frustrating at times not being able to speak to people but the pros of being here outweigh the cons by far.  

Dad and the boys go to the masjid for Maghrib so they have iftar(break fast only) there. At home we know when suhoor is over and when iftar begins by hearing the Azan.  

I realized a while ago that the Azan and the Ikamat are meant to be called in the streets of a city  not thru the halls of a masjid.  It is supposed to be so that all the believers near and far may come and pray, not just people who are already in the masjid.

All of us in Egypt wants to say a big congratulations to Hamaad. He is a young man in our hometown in Florida who led Taraweeh for the first time this year.  Congratulations Hamaad!!! We are all so happy for you. May Allah make it easy for you to become a Hafiz.  Ameen.