In an underground Mosque, during prayer time, in Athens
November 23, 2010
They have to put an effort to fit in the Greek society”
By Lina Giannarou
It does not take more than 10 minutes to walk between Stathmos Larisis to the underground, small Mosque of Attica square. Last Tuesday night, Naim Elghandour chairman of the Muslim Association of Greece, followed this route with us. He talks to himself “It’s the first time that they do not come here to harass me. Probably, they will feel tired from morning’s harassment.” At Attica square, tension took place during the morning’s public prayer of the Muslims. Habitants and followers of the party of “Chrisi Avgi” throwed eggs at them and other objects, they put very loud music in the radio to cover the imam’s voice and they were dishing out abusive brochures. “But they waste food at these time?” says humorously Mr. Elghandour. This is a way as well to banish the fear.
Walking around the area, you can easily see the fear and in the eyes of the other side. The side of the habitants. Changing pavements in case of “collision” with a company of Muslims is done by some habitants almost unconsciously. Certainly there are not only thickheads who live here. There are people who undergone dramatic changes in their environment, without any preparation. And the reluctance of the State to facilitate the creation of an official Islamic prayer site gave ground to extremities.
If someone does not try to find it, he cannot detect the toned down door next to the building’s entrance. Stickers of Chrisi Avgi and campaign brochures of N. Michaloliakos cover the door’s entire surface. The wall is black and smoked. These marks resemble with the crosses made by Easter candles on the doors, though these are the leftovers of the arson attack of the house by members of Chrisi Avgi in the evening of the 30th of October. The few worshippers, who were there, were literally saved by a miracle. There was no way out. The basement is “blind”.
The prayer site is shaky. In certain points tubes and wires are visible; the moisture has steeped the walls. In the entrance’s ladder –you have to bow to get in- there at about 10 pairs of shoes. The prayer has started. Mr. Elghandour will later explain to us, that when the Muslims lift their hand high during prayer, is to abolish their earthly problems. “All the problems that make us worried and anxious”, he says. And there are many issues, at least for the Muslims who are gathered here. Most of them are youngsters, jobless (they are washing cars’ window panes at the traffic lights), and they came to Greece by mistake. They were promised a better life in central Europe, but they have been dumped in our country. Now, they can neither leave the country nor return to their home countries. The eighteen year old Alamin was there the night of the Chrisi Avgi’s attack. “We do not disturb anybody, but we are treated worse than dogs”, he says. He is the only one of the group that speaks Greek. “This is an issue” Mr. Elghandour admits. “To be honest with you-they have to put a great effort in order to integrate in the Greek society”.
A few meters further down the street, policemen are permanently located. The verbal abuse is a daily phenomenon and the gathering of Muslims at the mosque for prayer is a red flag for the area’s thickheads. “These days, they send their wives to abuse me.”, Mr. Elghandour says. They are shouting at me “You are a fag” and I am answering back gently “My ladies I have 8 children! sometimes, even the policemen are laughing”
One hundred places like this are lying hidden in Athens, most of them similar to this one. Basement sheds. Though, according to statistical data in our capital there are about 700.000 Muslims of all different origins who currently live here. “A Mosque, an official prayer site, where we can gather. This is a request”, says Mr. Elghandour nodding with his head.
“Naim, I want to go over there” Alamin says to him while walking out of the mosque, showing the other side of Attica square. “Do not worry, I will check”, he answers back. “And you guys” Mr. Elghandour says to the rest of the group “Please stay all together. Not get into trouble…” He turns to us. “Whatever happens, do not feel scared”.
Prayer with an innovated water-saving device
February 7, 2010
Source: Enet.gr
A Malaysian company has invented a device that, as they claim, will help Muslims to make their cleansing before their prayers without spending too much water.
The “green” device is accompanied by automatic sensors and sinks that interrupt the water flow during “wudu” – a word with Arabic origin that indicates the procedure that the face, hands and feet of the faithful are cleansed before the prayer.
The ritual of ablution is preceded by the five prayers that a Muslim is obliged to perform.
Today in the world there are 1.7 billion Muslims who mainly live in Africa and Middle East, which are areas with weak water resources.
The device has height of 1.65cm and it recites also Quranic verses. It uses only 1.3 liters of water and it is better than the old traditional methods where tabs are left to run during the entire ablution of the faithful that can last a few minutes.
“During Hajj (Mecca pilgrimage) two million people were spending 50 million liters of water for wudu. If they use this device they will save 40 million liters per day,” states the chairman of AACE Technologies Antony Gomez.
The investors of the company are very optimistic that the rich Muslim countries will obtain this machine that will be available in six months and costs 3-4000 dollars.
Dubai already has expressed interest to obtain this device for the airport, Gomez stated, adding that this machine needed two years to be completed and costs 2.5 million dollars.
Radio Muezzin: a unique theatrical play
July 14, 2009
The Greek society had a great chance to attend the theatrical play “Radio Muezzin“, sponsored by “Greek Festival”. It was a play balancing between theater and a documentary, where five muezzins 
from Egypt unfolded their personal life stories in a simple narrative way.
Through the use of the images, they showed the viewers their mosque, their neighborhood, their house, their family and significant moments in their lives. With their melodic voices, they took the crowd to a journey through the sound of Islam, of the prayer and Qur’an plainly with no excess. They explained this nature of their task humbly and directly.
They made important comments that in a country like Greece the call for prayer is not allowed, but also that Athens is a city without a mosque and a cemetery for the Muslims.
They spoke about the recent decision of the Egyptian State, where the athan, the call for prayer, will be broadcasted live through a radio frequency at the thousands mosques of Cairo, from only one voice per day. In fact they have already chosen the 30 best muezzins (moadhinin), one of those was Mohammed Ali who presented his story at “Radio Muezzin”.
The public filled the theatre of Pireos 260 on both days of the play and applauded with warmth respectfully to the “protagonists”. Many famous people of art and culture watched the play as I saw.
Personally, I was impressed by the advanced artistic aestheticism and at the same time the warm and direct presence of the muezzins who did not pretend. On the contrary, they showed every spectator the images of their lives, that they are people with deep religious feeling that gave the simple view of Islam, Quran and prayer.
I was also impressed by the warm reaction of the public that enjoyed the play.
Congratulations to the director Stefan Kaegi – Rimini Protocoll and all contributors.
The play has already travelled through Europe and will continue to the famous festival d’ Avignon.
Are devout Muslims obsessed? You bet!
January 23, 2009
Recently, 28 million free DVDs of an Islamophobic, “documentary movie” called “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West” were distributed by direct mail in several parts of the USA. The film ostensibly attempted to draw parallels between “radical Islamists” and the Nazi Party during World War II.
And the question one should ask here is, are Muslims really obsessed?
Apparently, obsession is an inevitable part of everyone’s life.
There are people obsessed with money and possessions.
We call that greed.
Others are obsessed with their own appearance or accomplishments.
We call that vanity.
Others obsessed with eating.
We call that gluttony.
Others obsessed with their own country.
That is chauvinism.
Others obsessed with blood and bloodshed.
That is savagery.
Others obsessed with riots and revolutions.
That is anarchy.
Others obsessed with sexual satisfaction.
That is debauchery.
Others obsessed with idols, saints, Ahlul-Bait (descendants of the Prophet), or even the Prophets themselves.
That is shirk (polytheism).
And, finally, there are people obsessed with God.
And we call that perfect faith.
These (latter) people strive to centre their lives on the worship and pleasure of their Lord.
When a devout Muslim sets out to do something…
He says: “Bismi’llah” (In the name of God).
When asked: “How are you?”
He answers: “Alhamduli’llah” (Thank God / Praise be to God).
When he want’s to express his regret for doing something wrong…
He says: “Astaghfiru’llah” (I seek God’s forgiveness).
When talking of an intended future action…
He says: “Insha’Allah” (God willing).
When expressing wonder at God’s creation…
He says: “Subhana’llah!” (Glory to God!).
When expressing admiration of someone or someone’s deed…
He says: “Ma sha’Allah!” (So is God’s will!*).
When mourning…
He says: “Inna li’llah wa inna ilaihi raji’oon” (We belong to God and unto Him we shall return).
When cheering or garnering one’s inner strength…
He says: “Allahu Akbar” (God is greater!)
These are just a few of the words a devout Muslim uses in his everyday life that reflect his devotion.
Plus, as part of his obligations, he prays to God Almighty five times a day, corresponding to the time of dawn, afternoon, midday, sunset, and evening.
If he wishes to do more, he can also perform the prayers performed regularily by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and any voluntary prayers he’d like to add (separately).
But the obsession of pleasing God is NOT confined to rituals. Rather, it extends to each and every other aspect of a Muslim’s life… Starting from the respectful treatment of one’s parents and wife, all the way to – yes! – striving towards the protection of the Islamic Ummah against invaders and towards the peaceful process of conveying the message of Islam.
This notion can be summarized in the following two ayas (verses) of Surat Al-An’am (of the Noble Qur’an) in which God says:
“Say: Lo! My worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. He hath no partner. This am I commanded, and I am first of those who surrender (unto Him).”
So, yes, we are obsessed! But this obsession – you’ll have to agree – is a healthy one, if not a recommendable one.
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Note:
*a statement that’s meant to avoid envy or the possible threat of an evil eye.
10 days more blessed than Ramadan – starts TODAY
November 28, 2008
With Eid Al-Adha coming up, here are some actions you can do during this time for those who are not perfoming hajj:
- Fasting
- Saying subhan Allah wal Alhamdulillah, wa La illah illah Allah wa Allahu akbar
- Extra voluntary deeds of prayer, charity, sacrifice an animal etc.
- Repentance
- Dhikr
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