Greek Muslim: Myrto – my journey to Islam

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Questions were racing through my mind.  Does this makes me a Muslim? What is a Muslim after all? And is it easy to become one? And what happens after that? What if I regret?

It was minutes after my shahada (my declaration of the Islamic faith), a few weeks ago.

It took me almost 9 years to believe there is actually a God and choose Islam as the way to worship Him.  But why was that? Having a very hard life so far, full of personal traumatic experiences of which I could not be responsible for during childhood, puberty and adolescence, a person does not have the right to make his own choices by law, I was led to disappointment.

I almost completely rejected the presence of God or of any Divinity in my life.

Although I was completely dissatisfied by the behaviour of the clergy in Greece and still having the words of the burial service which says “rest your servant ignoring all sins,” I decided to start reading about religion.

Feeling tormented, tired and a bit desperate to find answers to my questions, I choose to read religion initially and then philosophy and history of sciences instead of trying to find my way through fortune tellers or tarot readers, drugs or alcohol.

No matter how hard someone tries to numb himself so he doesn’t feel any pain, the pain will always be there, waiting to be confronted. Being deeply ethical and raised with the traditional values of a middle class Greek family , values of honesty, pride and dignity, I did not want to be part of any religious or philosophical group just to satisfy my needs for warmth and affection. And I definitely, loved and honoured my Greek cultural identity and I did not want to imitate or fake any other identity or nationality.

I started researching Christianity and mainly the Orthodox Dogma, then Judaism and Buddhism and finally Islam. I started gradually believing in God, my faith becoming stronger with time. At some point I started having questions about the Trinity, questions for which I found the answers in Islam.

What I realised is that Islam is the religion that closes the circle of Divine revelations. Islam means peace and Muslim means the person who offers himself to God and God only, with no remorse or personal benefit. Allah is not a new invention, it’s just the Arabic word for God, the half moon is not a symbol of blood bathing and revenge but is a reminder that Muslim people calculate the time based on the moon rather than the sun.

At this point I seriously started to consider myself as a believer rather than an agnostic. In the meantime, I moved to United Kingdom, to further educate myself though postgraduate studies. I do not know if it was a sign but while I was in UK, I kept meeting really nice people, the majority of them being Muslims, and I ended up marrying one of them.

I continued reading more and more and was becoming focused on Islam this time. Though not only reading, watching documentaries, attending Islamic lectures, going to Islamic museums, attending Islamic classes.

And there comes the questioning. Do I want to be part of a religion that has so many different variations of interpretation of its Holy Book? Would I want to be part of a group that would be a religious minority in my country? Would I want to be part of a religious group where most people, of the ones I have met at least, are paying attention just to the rules of worship and not the worship itself? Or would I want to be part of a religion which is used by its own followers to inspire hate and hostility?

I got again disappointed but this time not by the religion itself or the philosophy itself or from the Quran but from the followers. And then I realised that I cannot blame the religion itself since I found the answers to my questions, from its followers. I decided to start living as a Muslim for a period of time, to see what it takes and see if it is really so hard. As it is stated in Quran, men and women were created equally having their own free will.

But what does it mean to live as a Muslim? Wearing an abaya and niqaab? Praying 10 times a day? Fasting strictly during Ramadan? Staying at home and having loads of children? Avoiding any kind of joyful experience just in case you do something forbidden? Certainly not, in my opinion.

Islam is not a strict system of rules or a kind of imprisonment. Doing good deeds every single day, trying to avoid bad actions, praying as much as you can, fasting as much as you can, showing love and compassion and always fighting peacefully to improve yourself, progressing and evolving in knowledge day by day, trying your best every single day, this is what it takes to be a Muslim.

I realised that I could live as a Muslim, I just changed the way and the frequency of my prayers, I stopped completely eating pork or drinking alcohol and I wore a headscarf. That’s all. So after this so long journey, I decided to have my shahada done admitting firstly to myself that ‘There is no god but Allah (God), and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (God).

Written by:

Myrto Z.

Athens, Greece

We want to pray in a mosque

Source:  Ta Nea

Translation © Muslim Association of Greece

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Kotzia Square was transformed into an outdoor mosque yesterday morning for about two hours, just opposite of the town hall of Athens. About 4000 Muslims without a mosque prayed the last prayer of Ramadan.

The festive prayer called Eid Al Fitr was organized by the Muslim Association of Greece after consultation with the City of Athens that gave them permission to pray in the square. Muslims living and working in Athens attended the last prayer in celebration of the end of Ramadan (the month of Ramadan).

Once again, however, the representatives of the Muslim Association of Greece and other Muslims pointed out that it is necessary to build a mosque in Athens; thousands of Muslims who live in Attiki pray in inappropriate places such as warehouses, basements, garages, apartments etc.

“If there was a mosque in Athens, the prayer would not commence in Kotzia Square. Would have been done in the courtyard of the mosque and no one would perceive. Many people asked what is happening in the square. Why are they so many people gathered together? We do not want to close the roads or to bother anyone. That’s why we try to remain strictly within the square, said the president of the Muslim Association of Greece, Mr. Naim Elghandour, in “Ta NEA” newspaper.  

As the president of the Association said, Kotzia square was chosen because of the no cost. “In previous years we held the prayer at the Olympic Stadium, either in closed or an open space, but you pay rent of about 1,700 euros. This year, things are strained by the economic crisis, so we came to an agreement with the City of Athens.”

Votanikos. The government in April decided to go with direct procedures for the construction of a mosque for 500 people in the Navy base of the Botanical Fortress. According to information from the Ministry of Education, the preparation for the relocation services of the Navy from the site has now completed.

“Unfortunately these procedures are progressing slowly, as with other things in Greece. It is though a cultural requirement to have a mosque in Athens. Therefore I appeal to the Ministries of Education and National Defence and the Municipality of Athens to find a solution quickly,” said Mr. Elghandour. Indeed, the Muslim Association of Greece is the one that in recent years has raced and is liaising with ministries in order to build a mosque in Athens.

As a reminder, the bill for the construction of the mosque is in place since 2006. Indeed, the ND government then had promised that the mosque will be ready in late 2009. However, the bureaucracy and misunderstandings between the ministries turned the case of the “mosque in Athens” to Artas Bridge…

Seraphim “delirium” for the granting

In a four-page announcement … holy crazy issued yesterday, Eparch Seraphim of Piraeus says the prayer of the Muslims should not be in public open space as in Kotzia Square. The Eparch, who for some time now is a member of the Standing Holy Synod, used harsh words to characterize the granting of the square by the municipality of Athens irresponsible. He connects even the prayer for the Muslims with the Turks in Greece, saying that such prayer is the “first in regular life again after the revolution and the shaking off of the brutal Turkish atrocities.”  Please note that they [the Muslims at the prayer] come from various countries.

Translated by: Elena Nikolova

Kotzia Square like “Mecca”

Source:  Ethnos

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Translation © Muslim Association of Greece

The huge square opposite of the town hall of Athens was turned into an outdoor mosque yesterday. The president of the Muslim Association of Greece noted that Greece sends a message of education and culture today. 

The economic crisis was the cause of the ceremony not being held in OAKA (Olympic stadium), as other times, as the Muslim community preferred to spend their lease money to cover the livelihood needs of certain members.

Prayer in a scene of reminisce that of … Mecca, was held by two imams from Egypt, invited by the Association. Like always, the men and women prayed separately, as earlier they had rolled out the carpet. Great was the participation of believers from Africa, while many were those who wore traditional costumes.

Muslims quickly “spread” across the square from 7.00 in the morning and the organizers spoke of big concentration. This colorful and multi-racial ‘tapestry’ created a very impressive scenery in central Athens and several were the passers-workers and tourists, who stopped to observe the ritual.

In a speech, the president of the Muslim Association of Greece, Naim Elghandour thanked the Mayor of Athens, Nikitas Kaklamanis, for the permission of the square and noted that, “the attitude of the Greek state today is a response to the American priest who wants to burn the Koran, but also to Angela Merkel who awarded the Danish cartoonist who ridiculed the drawings of Muhammad “.

Speaking with the “Ethnos” newspaper, Mr. Elghandour noted that the message sent today is that Greece is the capital of education and culture. For the Islamic religion, yesterday was a significant day. The strict fasting of Ramadan ends and the great mass prayer is a thanksgiving to the prophet. A day earlier, representatives of Muslims visited the Observatory of Penteli and had confirmed the position of the moon that the fasting is over. After the prayer, they gave out sweets to the children, while many homes made a festive table. The next mass prayer will be approximately in 70 days.

Responses
Seraphim against Kaklamanis

The granting of Kotzia square by the Mayor of Athens Nikitas Kaklamanis, for prayer of Muslims has prompted a strong reaction of Eparch Seraphim of Piraeus, who in a statement refers to it as “unacceptable behavior harmful to the main state religious faith.”

“With feelings of grief”, as the Eparch points out in his statement,” we have witnessed the concession of the municipality of Athens so irresponsibly to permit Kotzia Square to be used by Muslim religious persons.

Translated by: Elena Nikolova

Athens: A festive Ramadan evening (with photo gallery)

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Last Thursday September 2, the formal Iftar dinner of MAG took place at Ledra Marriott hotel. Over a hundred guests participated at an Iftar of the Muslims of Athens.

The evening begun with the break of the fast, and the Maghreb (evening) prayer. After that, salutations came from the chairman Naim Elghandour, the rep of the Hellenic Church father Stefanos Alexopoulos and professor Vangelis Pissias.

At the Iftar were participating from the Ministry of Education the deputy minister Mr. Panaretos, Mrs. Dragona, Mr. Marioras, Mrs. Faragoulitaki. From the ministry of Protection of the Citizen were the deputy Chief of Pollice mr. Rahovitsas, Head of State Security Mr Dikopoulos, Attica Chief Mr Balakos, and other important people from the ministry. From the ministry of foreign affairs was Mr. Takis, from the City of Athens was the deputy mayor Mr. Papadakis and councellor Ms Jarvis. New Democracy party was represented by Ms Elsa Papadimitriou, Syriza party by Mr Dritsas and Ecologists by Ms Kontouli. Many diplomats as the ambassador of France, ambassador of Indonesia, ambassador of Syria, deputy ambassadors of UK, Egypt and other officials from all Muslim embassies. Significant businessmen, academics, journalists, people of arts, friends, imams special guests from Egypt, and reps from the initiative “ship to Gaza” were all there at this glowing evening.

Sponsors of the event were the companies Visiotec & Loukisas Cladding, of Mr’s Dalamangos. Hytiris and Loukisas that are specialized at the security doors of the banks

The atmosphere was warm and friendly and tasting the fine food, soon there were several tables with different discussion topics. The sense of the harmonious coexistence and mutual respect was the big message of the event and all together proved it beyond any doubt, renewing the appointment for the next year’s Iftar, having the best impressions.

See Photo Gallery here

A bright day for the Muslims of Athens

 

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Thousands of Muslims celebrated the end of Ramadan with “Eid al Fitr” in the heart of Athens at Kotzia square where the Mayor’s House is located. The atmosphere was really festive and the spirit very high. Balloons and candies for the kids, big smiles at the faces of each one who came to pray and wish others a happy Eid. As every year, the Muslim Association of Greece organizes this festive day where Muslims of every color and ethnicity gather together to pray and exchange wishes. This was the first time that the Eid took place in a open public area and this happened thanks to the City of Athens, the mayor and the deputy mayors who gave the permission to the Muslims of the city to pray, since there is no mosque yet.

Naim Elghandour, chairman of the Muslim Association of Greece (MAG), stated to the domestic and international media who had live TV broadcasts and reportages that, “while today on earth a pastor in America threatens to burn the Quran and German PM Merkel awards the Danish sketch artist who insulted prophet Muhammad a few years ago with his sketches, Athens today shows that it is a civilized city and Greece is a civilized country and respects the citizens of every religion and ideology. Happy Eid.”

The prayer was offered by sheikhs Muhammad Ahmed and Hassan Arafa who are honored guests from Egypt. After the end of the event people went for the festive feast at houses as the custom says.

See Photo Gallery here

Athens: Eid Al Fitr at Kotzia Square

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The Muslim Association of Greece,

is celebrating the end of Ramadan. The Eid Al-Fitr is at at Kotzia Square,

 Athinas street across from the Mayor’s House.

 Two distinguished imams who are honored guests from Egypt

 will lead the prayer and make the festive speech.

 Easy access by buses and by metro at stations Omonoia or Monastiraki.

 Friday morning, September 10,  7.30-9.30am

Everyone is welcome! 

  

 

Gems for the last 10 nights of Ramadan

I wanted to share these gems.

Salman al-Farsi narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘Indeed, Allah is Shy and Beneficent. His is Shy when His servant raises his hands to Him (in a duaa) to return them empty, disappointed!’

-Ahmad, Abu Dawud #1488, at-Tirmidhi #3556, Ibn Majah #3865 and others

photo credit: iruh

Hadith Qudsi, Allah said:

O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it.

-Saheeh. Related by at-Tirmidhi

Prayer on the sidewalk

Source: Protagon

By Naim Elghandour

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Ramadan in Athens for the 37^th time. It started on August 11 with the sweltering heat and will end on September 10^th. The first days of adjustment are always harder as the rhythms of life do not change despite the fasting from sunrise to sunset.

Late evening before August 15^th, after having iftar at home, which is the dinner that breaks the fast, I took Sheikh Mohammed, a respectful imam from Al Azhar university to go and pray at Piraeus. Al Andalus is the name of the praying place but it does not remind me anything of the glory of Andalusia as it is an underground warehouse on Filonos street in the heart Trouba where we pray for the last 17 years.

As we go down and go inside, in the first five minutes the sweat is running like a river. My breath stopped and the 60 year old imam who came from upper Egypt who can [usually[ bear the heat was ready to collapse. He told me that his sweat was dripping under his face all the way down to his socks. Why???

I was in despair because I am responsible for all these people who come to pray. I prayed that the temperature falls a bit to avoid the ambulances. You cannot put ventilation in this place nor air condition because it has no window. It is a hole under the ground.

We finished our prayer as [best] we could and when we went up to the surface I realized that this cannot happen again. The temperature at 11pm was 37°C and who knows about the humidity, it was suffocating even in open air.

The day after, I informed the state security that we were going to pray on the sidewalk outside of the “mosque” and that it is better to bring us a police car than to be taken by ambulances.

Sunday at 10 in the night all prayer mats were laid down on the sidewalk of Filonos street and the few people that walked by were surprised. Of course we did not bother anyone, all stores were closed. But we were alert, you never know what could happen, but the prayer was more humane in those hot days.

And I am thinking: What does a man have to go through to praise God as He deserves? My little kids were crying to take them with me earlier, but where can I take them?

Sometimes I take them to the Neos Kosmos garage that has better ventilation and they play with the other kids. There, the older kids are learning how to pray and the little ones imitate the grownups and then they start chasing each other and laugh, but we are always underground. When we finish, I buy them ice cream.

This is how Ramadan is in our great city.

———

Translated by: Anna Stamou

MAG at Athens observatory to sight new moon

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The evening of Tuesday August 10, 2010 representatives of all Muslim communities responded to the call of the Muslim Association of Greece and met at Pendeli Observatory for the third year in order to sight the new moon for themselves that will start the beginning of the Ramadan month.

With great pleasure, the Athens Observatory (www.noa.gr) responds to our request for sighting the new moon with our the eyes of the reps of Muslims of Attica. Distinguishes scientists explain the phenomenon of new moon and reply to the questions of the participants. Everyone of them have the chance to look at the telescope. This year, like last year, we were hosted by Dr. Anastasios Dapergolas who responded to many questions and explained that new moon is a global phenomenon, not a local one, subsequently the only thing that changes is the local time of each country.

People from all lengths of the Muslim world were present. From Morocco to Bangladesh, from Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Algeria, Iran, Pakistan, Kurds, and of course Greeks. Among us was the honored guest of MAG, imam of Al Azhar university sheikh Mohammed Abdelsalam. All together we left to inform the prayer places of the common decision, based on the astronomical data of Pendeli Observatory, that the new moon is born and the forst of Ramadan is August 11^th, 2010. So the Taraweeh prayer at the praying places of Attica has started on Tuesday night at 10.

Ramadan Kareem

Photo Gallery

Weird reasons why people fast and what your real reason should be

It was lunch time and we were eating, well, except for the host.  She told me she was fasting because it was Friday and every Friday she fasts, out of habit. 

I’ve seen weird things in my life but this one confused me.  A few conversations beforehand, I discovered that she didn’t believe in God anymore.  So, the obvious perplexing question I had was why she would keep fasting if she was not doing it for God??

I guess because as Muslims, we get this question a lot.  Why do you fast in Ramadan?  I usually say that we do it for God to gain piety as the Quran says,

“O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwa.”[Surah al-Baqarah 2:183].

Notice that I translated “taqwa” as piety.  Well, that’s not quite accurate.  Recently, we were all gathered around and the same question came up, how do you translate this rich Arabic word “taqwa” into English?

Some say it is piety, some say fear, others say it is obedience to God.  I’ve heard many translations but nothing quite encompasses the original Arabic word.  The funny thing though is that if you leave it untranslated and just say taqwa, most Muslims know exactly what you mean by the word and sense a deep emotional feeling.

Here’s a good translation of taqwa I found:

Taqwa is obedience to God hoping for the mercy of God and it is staying away from the disobedience of God fearing the punishment of God. 

And just by fasting properly, you can automatically gain taqwa.  Before I fasted every year, I never imagined that would be the result, but when you do it properly, you would be amazed at how much taqwa you gain.

 But do you think that the lady who fasts every Friday out of habit and not for God can gain taqwa?  Most likely not. 

People fast for weird reasons but if we want to feel full and take the maximum benefit from things in life, we need to know why we do things and not just do them because our ancestors did so or society tells us to do so.

——————

photo credit: diekatrin

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