A journey to the heart - Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Performing the Tawaf after Terawih

Clock Tower in Mecca

Performing umrah (small pilgrimage) in the month of Ramdhan is a real test of endurance and perseverance. The intensity of the ritual is compounded by fasting in this month of Summer. The temperature on some days can be as high as 50 degrees Celsius or more and the glaring sunlight can be challenging for many. In the sea of people, every movement becomes difficult and at times one can become breathless during tawaf. 

But again, every soul's journey and experience is unique and indescribable. With lots of d'ua and patience, even the most difficult moment will gradually become easy by the mercy of Al Mighty. Regardless of all the challenges, this journey remains to be an overwhelming experience, closest to my heart. It was rumored that about 5 millions Muslims performed their umrah this Ramadhan. And approaching the last ten nights of the holy month, every space in Mecca is filled with people mostly clad in white ihram and woman in black. 

 I once heard of this nasihah (advice), “Pack a bag of clothes and nine bags of sabr (patience, endurance and perseverance). There is so much truth in the advice! But I have to admit, it is not easy, especially when some forceful characters appear out of nowhere and start telling you, this is haram and that is haram. It really feels like you are just embracing Islam a few minutes ago! The word haram (impermissible) resonates almost everywhere and everyday.

As I observed, the whole ritual of Umrah and Hajj in Mecca is not about spiritual in isolation. But the beauty is about connecting to other Muslims from various part of the world; to know them, to understand the divergence, to tolerate and to compromise the differences. And, along the way I met several Muslims from other countries who gave me several advices and lessons to be learnt. And that’s the beauty of being Muslim.

The interior of Masjidil Haram

Zam-Zam Tower opposite Masjidil Haram

Taking a rest...while waiting for Tahajud prayers

The jenazah prayer outside Masjidil Haram

After Terawih everybody is moving out of the mosque

Everybody is taking a break after Terawih

Masjidil Haram with its modern backdrop in the early morning after fajar

After Ramadhan, the carpets are rolled for cleaning

Masjidil Haram is currently under massive construction work

Hilton Mecca

The girls are posing on the night of Eid

Decorating the girls' hair on Eid

Kausar from Algeria

Traditional cookies from Malaysia on Eid

Chocolate Chips from Malaysia

The body of deceased carried for burial after the prayers

Najla from Algeria has always been cooperative while her mother prays

The shopping complex and restaurants right in front of the Haram

Minarets of Masjidil Haram

Clock Tower at night

The night of Eid

Burger King...KFC

Masjid Al Huda Rome, Italy

Rome Mosque built in post- modern architecture

From Roma Termimi station we took a train to Flamino/Popolo station. The train was crowded and fear crept in as people began to fill the coaches. We have been reminded on how unsafe Rome is with many theives and pickpockets who would dig into your bag cleverly without being noticed. We were always reminding and watching each other to avoid such happenings. 

Just next to Popolo station we changed line to Campi Sportivi, where the mosque is located. It was on the train to Campi Sportivi that one of us picked pocket. The train was packed and it was a golden opportunity for the thief who brilliantly took the wrist wallet in my friend's sling bag and 150 Euro was gone! But we were grateful that the passport was not taken. 

We got off at Campi Sportivi and cross the bridge over the rail line. The masjid is clearly visible from the train station but you would have to walk a bit around the mosque to the entrance gate. The mosque is really huge and visible from over bridge at the train station. The security at the entrance was very welcoming and for a moment I was surprised to see such a huge mosque in Rome.

The minaret is much shorter than any other mosques I have seen, 39 meters tall but the prayer hall is huge enough to accommodate 2,500 people at jumaah prayers. Five decades ago, building a mosque was absolutely no, as clearly stated by Benito Mussolini. Today this mosque is not only important for the Muslims community in Italy but its existence is important in Europe as a symbol of openness towards Islam.

The ground floor not far from the small prayer hall

The ablution room

Tile work in the ground floor prayer hall

The ladies in the prayer hall

The men praying Zuhur

Very modern architecture

The mosque from a distance

List of countries who have donated to build this mosque

The minaret is 128 feet, just 2 feet shorter than St. Peter

Stairs to the main hall

The train station near the mosque

Wooden door with beautiful artwork

Modern pillars different from traditional mosque

Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre - Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb mosque today- built in connection of tradition and modernity 

In the Second World War, the mufti of Zagreb, Ismet Muftic was executed by the Partisan in 1945. The establishment of communism after the war had huge implication on the political and social changes which also impacted the Zagreb Muslim community. In 1948, the old Zagreb Mosque was demolished and since then, restoring the Muslim institution is difficult under unfavorable circumstances. The foundation stone of the new Zagreb Mosque was laid in 1981 in the suburb of Zagreb and finally, the present Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre was completed and opened to public in 1987 (www.islamska-zajednica.hr)

The mosque was built by the Zagreb builders “Tehnika” and the architect, Džemal Čelić is a Professor at Sarajevo University, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His design was co-authored by Mirza Gološ, an architect from Sarajevo, while Ešref Kovačević, the best known Bosnian calligrapher of the time, took charge of the calligraphy (www.islamska-zajednica.hr).

We went to the tourist information centre in Galvni Kolodvor but the direction given wasn't very clear. We tried to ask people we met at the tram station but not all knew where the place is. Finally, after a long walk we did find the mosque and we had a wonderful lunch at the restaurant in the mosque. Most people in the mosque were very friendly but we were not able to ask much question due to language barrier.

How to go to the mosque?
Take tram no 6, from the tram station in front of Galvni Kolodvor. You can actually take several trams; number 6, 7, 14 and 8 to reach the mosque. But we took tram line number 6 in front of Galvni Kolodvor (the main train station).  Stopped at the Folnegovićevo naselje station and walked about 15 minutes passing the residential flats and once you get on the main road with traffic lights at the junction, the minaret is visible from a distance.

The address of the mosque:
Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre
Medžlis of the Islamic community
Gavellina 40
Croatia 10000
www.islamska-zajednica.hr

The whole complex is 10,000 square meter

Part of the complex

Another view of the mosque

42meters high minaret

The domes resemble shells

Ceramic calligraphy constitutes surah Yassin

The interior of Zagred mosque portrays simplicity 

The first floor is the ladies' hall

The ladies' hall

The main prayer hall

The entrance

 

The Mihrab is adorned with the calligraphy from Ayatul Kursi

Mimbar where the Imam preaches

Remains from the fence of the old mosque's Mimbar

The mimbar of the old Zagreb mosque 

The remains of the old mosque mihrab exhibited