I guess some masjids are heading in the right direction in terms of the activities they come up with. The masjid nearest my house for example holds an annual Open House for non-Muslims & they invite church groups to come to the masjid & learn a little bit about Islam. It is all about dialogue & whatnot.
However sometimes i can't help but think that there ought to be some form of miscommunication or misunderstanding between the two faiths that is sure to arise when those Open Houses are held.
This is a few that i could think of & please i'm trying hard not to make fun of the inter-faith cohesion that our country is trying to build. Ok go!
Crazy Pakcik Who Didn't Know It Was Open House Day
Imagine just some random masjid goer who happened to forget it was the masjid's Open House Day? He'll be in shock to see non-Muslims all over the place. He'll think they were invading or something.
Like you can imagine this crazy pakcik stepping fresh off the wuduk area, drenched in water & still comprehending the fact that the parking lot was full outside when normally there are only two cars for Zuhur.
Well, seeing the main prayer hall filled with Non-Muslim women won't really whet his appetite. That is, non-Muslim women who might be wearing a hijab out of respect for the Muslims there but still be wearing tanktops & miniskirts.
Hey, it is the thought that counts but the
crazy pakcik sees otherwise.
"THIS IS THE HOUSE OF ALLAH'' shouts the crazy pakcik.
'' Hello...i am nancy'' replies one of the female visitors as she sticks out her hand.
''ASTAGFIRULLAH!!!'' replies the crazy pakcik.
Then you know what? That same crazy pakcik will then run out of the masjid to see if he actually is inside the right building. Flip man! Ok next...
Do you mind if I pray with you guys?
What a recipe for disaster. It is nice that non-Muslims want to ''experience'' the prayer but things like this could get extremely awkward.
Like I always imagine having this oblivious non-Muslim guy ''pray'' beside me while in full congregation with everyone. He will be constantly looking over at me in middle of prayer. Time to time he will ask me questions.
''So have I got it right?''
''It is the right hand over left hand right?''
''Are they placed on the belly button or below?''
''Hello?''
''Oh dear, i must say you are not the talkative type.''
He will also make strange comments throughout the prayer.
During Rukuk [the part where we bow down]: ''I can touch my toes...can you?''
During Sujud #1 [the part when our head is on the ground]: ''Man, this carpet smells.''
During Sujud #2 [same as above, only second time]: ''Did I mention this carpet smells''
During Tahiyatul akhir Position [part where we are sitting]: ''What on earth are you doing with your finger?''
During Salam [part where we end prayer & turn our heads]: ''Hi there, miss me?''
Flip man!
