MikeLigalig.com

My good friend and medical colleague, Tariq, who is a Muslim (Sunni) broke his fast this week, after the end of Ramadan. He and his fellow muslim brothers invited me and some friends to celebration of Eid Mubarak. The culmination of the Holy Month of Ramadan in the Muslim Religion.

Though I am not Muslim, I did respect my friends' views and religious practice by attending the Breaking of Fast in the local mosque.

There we had some food and conversed and enjoyed a good day.
It was a good experience, as I went with other Catholics and Christians that wanted to extend good will to the muslims in our class.

It really was an interesting yet odd experience, going to the Mosque.
I did not want to go inside at first, but after seeing my friends go in, proceeded inside.

I maintained silence throughout the entire time, and excused myself out of the mosque when the Imam began their call to prayer.

I wanted to ask you all, have you ever gone inside a mosque? What did your experience feel like?

my good friend Tariq,

Mo add lang ko, just because this question was asked to me and my friends.
On the way out of the mosque, the imam approached us, and asked if we were muslims, I immediately replied, "Al Kitab", which in arabic means, "People of the Book", referring to Christians.

He immediately smiled and asked me if I would like to come again.

I replied his question with a question of my own, 'Would you like to come to Church mass with us, my friend?'
He smiled in return and walked away.

In the end, I admire Tariq's ability to fast for a whole month.
He goes, on occasion, to church with us, as his room mate is my choir partner, Job.