One Step at a Time: Visiting The Jumeriah Mosque

Last weekend, Larry and I went to visit the Jumeriah Mosque! Dubai has two mosques that non-Muslims are allowed to visit. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding sponsor an hour session on what Muslims believe, their dress, and then answer questions. It is a very open forum built on the premise that if we understand each other’s beliefs, we can be more open to each other. In order to enter the mosque, women must have everything covered except their hands, face, and feet. I did see some exceptions that were allowed to enter...arms not all the way covered, or a skirt that wasn’t quite to the floor. If you didn’t have the right clothing, they had abayas (robes) and pashminas (scarves) that you could borrow! Men were to wear long pants and a shirt...it could be short sleeved.

The mosque was a very beautiful building, built very simply. It was basically a rectangular room inside, and did not seem to have too many additional rooms. The ceiling, walls, and light fixtures were very ornate. It is my understanding that mosques are very simple inside, so that there is nothing else in the room that could be worshipped...no statues, pictures, etc. The building has one wall that faces Mecca. Muslims always face Mecca when they pray, so they face that certain wall in the mosque to pray. There was also a small lectern where leaders speak on Fridays. The topics are provided by the government and leaders, and it is my understanding that all leaders speak on the same topic on a given Friday.

Our “talk” was led by a man and woman that are both Muslims. The young man was Emirati, the woman had an English accent, but has lived in Dubai for over twenty years. They explained the prayer times during the day that they come to the mosque, the steps to prayer, and the “pillars” of their religion.

Then, they explained the dress that they wear...very interesting! Women wear the abaya, or long black robe generally. She explained that this was not mandatory, but that modest, loose-fitting clothing covering their body was to be worn in public. At home, she stated that she wears clothes similar to ours, but when she wants to go out of the house, “throws on” the abaya. The black color is traditional for the Dubai area, going back to long ago shielding against the heat, sand, and sun. The head covering is worn for modesty as well. She said that if she wanted to take the time to change into loose fitting clothing before going out, she could do that.

The men wear robes as well. Men are to be covered from the navel to below the knee, but of course, wear more than that in public! The robe worn here is also more tradition or “local” than mandatory Muslim dress. In the pictures, you can see the more casual head dress that he has on as he’s talking. Then, you can see a dressier red plaid with black cord. Some wear all white, even for dress, or the red and white. This means nothing, just “fashion!” Long ago, the cord used on the head dress was also used to bind the legs of the camels so that they did not run away! The tassel on the front was dipped in fragrance so that the stinky smell of being in the desert around camels could be somewhat camouflaged! Ha!

It was very informative to hear them talk about their religion, and I am so glad we went! I am thankful to pray, and let God lead...One Step at a Time!