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"Everything is geared to help them perform i`tikaf," Khan told IOL. |
LONDON — Outside East London Mosque goes a typical bustling day in busy London, with cars racing by and people going about their daily routines.
But inside, tens of devout Muslim men are performing i`tikaf (spiritual retreat) during the last ten days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"Look around you. These people come from different backgrounds and ethnicities. You have Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis and Somalis," Ayoub Khan, the mosque's secretary-general, told IslamOnline.net.
The landmark mosque, which lies at the heart of London's east end, was only able to accommodate 100 Muslim men for i`tikaf.
When more than two hundred men applied for a place the mosque decided to conduct a ballot.
For ten days, the mosque helps the faithful to dissociate from all worldly affairs and spend their time in prayer and supplication.
"They are offered daily meals and copies of the Noble Qur'an and Islamic books," says Khan, who is also in charge of the i`tikaf program.
The Sunnah of i`tikaf is that one makes the intention and begins i`tikaf on the evening of the 20th of Ramadan until the sighting of the moon for `Eid el-Fitr.
During i`tikaf one should spend most of one’s time in prayer, reading the Qur’an and reflection.
Different World
The mosque's i`tikaf hall is divided equally and separated by blue curtains to give each of the 100 Muslim men a space of his own.
All the rooms overlook the center space of the hall, where the faithful hold their prayers.
"I hope that by the end of Ramadan I will complete a full recitation of the Qur'an," said Mohamed Malik sitting in one corner of the hall.
Like many of the worshippers, Malik starts i`tikaf in the mosque everyday after he comes back from work.
"I go to work every day at 8.0 pm and don't get back here before 5," says the 41-year-old man who has Bengali origin.
"The rest of the day and all night is then spent in praying and reciting Qur'an."
For Usama Al-Aazami, the time spent in i`tikaf is the most precious of the whole year.
"I`tikaf gives you a totally different perspective of life," says Aazami, 24.
"You get away from all worldly distractions and devote your heart, body, mind and soul to praise Allah and ask for forgiveness.
"It's an unbelievable feeling."
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