A moment of cultural and spiritual enlightenment!

I do not resemble your other lovers, my lady

should another give you a cloud, I give you rain

Should he give you a lantern, I will give you the moon

Should he give you a branch, I will give you the trees

And if another gives you a ship, I shall give you the journey.

Nizar Qabbani

As a full, card carrying Irish catholic there wasn’t much reason or opportunity to mix with the Muslim community let alone to visit a mosque. The cultural diversity of my group of friends has changed all that and I’m delighted to say that this week I had the opportunity to attend a service at one of London’s inclusive mosques.

It came about following a conversation with one of my friends from work who practices her Muslim faith within the structure of the Inclusive Mosque Initiative (IMI). I had no idea what this was however, having read about it inspired me to learn more.

Launched in 2012, the Inclusive Mosque Initiative is a grassroots organisation dedicated to creating places of worship marginalised communities, spiritual practice and the promotion of inclusive Islamic principles. Our events are held in the UK, usually in London. Founded by Tamsila Tauqir, IMI was partially born from the experience of her late mother. "She was severely disabled and was told she couldn't pray in the main area. She was told to pray in the upper floor [with the women], where she was not physically able to go."

Instead of complaining, Tauqir decided the time was ripe to shake up the traditional mosque structure in the UK. "Often, we found that families got separated in prayer space," she says. "Couples say they can't pray together and we want to make it accessible to different communities not based on language and ethnicity: Sunnis, Shias, Sufis, secular Muslims, conservative – it's no big deal, we can accept our differences."

Honestly, this inspirational woman and her friend and co-founder Dervla Zaynab Shannahan, is worth a post all on its own however, today I just wanted to express the joy and privilege I felt being present for lunchtime prayers. If you do however want to learn a little bit more now, take a look at this link.

Having signed in at the mosque – something everyone has to do thanks to the religious intolerance in today’s society, we removed our shoes and entered the main room. I was introduced to one of the Imams. The friend I’d gone with had taught me a simple greeting and response, “As-Salaam-Alaikum” means “peace be unto you”, and the response of “Wa-Alaikum-Salaam” means “and upon you the Peace”. I wasn’t trying to show off, I just felt it was the respectful thing to do. After we’d exchanged this simple greeting he smiled warmly and told me he was delighted I’d come and that I was very welcome to observe the prayers that were about to take place.

Fifteen minutes before prayers there is a call to prayer which is broadcast both inside and outside the mosques, it’s simply a reminder to the local community that worship is about to start.

During the service I was struck by just how familiar it felt, all of a sudden, I was being taken back to the church I worshiped at with my parents many moons ago. The Imam I’d met led the service with passion and pleasure. I don’t wish to sound glib or sycophantic however, I found the whole service very moving, at more than one point I found myself brushing a tear away from my cheek.

Again, out of respect I had simply intended to observe the prayers and then wander off however, as we were leaving the Imam came over and asked me how I’d felt being “part of the prayer service”. Privileged and a little emotional was my response, again he smiled and asked me if I’d like a tour of the mosque which I accepted eagerly.

I ended up staying for well over an hour which flew by, I saw the most amazing artefacts, children learning the Quran in like a Sunday school setting and some beautiful art, I again felt privileged that I’d been able to experience something so few of us non-Muslims get to feel.

I learned a lot from the experience and was able to dispel several misconceptions, most importantly that women are second class citizens in the Muslim community, the fact that a white, Christian woman was treated with such reverence and respect is something that will stick with me for a long, long time. Yes, the community prayed separately however, many other religions pray in the same way, it’s traditional in the same way Sunday Roast and Christmas are, nobody seemed to have problem with that so why should non-Muslims?

I am massively grateful and feel very humbled by the whole experience, I fully intend to go back and hopefully, now I have more understanding, I won’t feel quite so much like a fish well and truly out of water!

Ramadan starts next Friday and my friend, Tanisha has invited to an Iftar, which is the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Once again, I feel very privileged to have been asked and I’m really, really looking forward to it!

To all my Muslim friends, Ramadan Mubarak and Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair!

What’s on this week?