Muslim Prayer in America – Its Meaning and Practice

Optional Excursion: A Visit to the Diyanet Center of America

On Sunday, May 22, Zeyneb will lead us on a tour of the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham, Md.. Families and children are welcome. There is an excellent restaurant on site where we can share a meal after the tour and prayers.

• Meet at the Diyanet Center of America mosque at 4 PM.
• Tour the mosque with Zeyneb.
• Observe afternoon prayer (asr) at 4:45 PM (approximately). About 10 minutes.
• Optional meal (pay on your own) at the restaurant on site.

Register Here

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Class 3 – Culture and Context: Prayer in American Muslim Life

Readings:

The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) American Mosque Survey 2020:

The American Mosque 2020: Growing and Evolving

Reimagining Muslim Spaces

Hind Makki on Women’s Inclusion

Muslim Women’s Prayer Spaces

Small group #1

• What observations can you make based on these findings?
• How do they relate to external and internal challenges of a Muslim prayer life? Take notes and be prepared to share your findings in the small group
• Has your own community been complicit in the marginalization of certain groups in religious spaces? If yes, explain

Small group #2

• Can we envision an interreligious society in which everyone can bring their full religious selves? Are there limitations?
• Do we have a role to play in this regard as citizens of this society? If so, what is our responsibility?
• How can we engage religious diversity in meaningful ways before entering tension and conflict?

Questions to guide you while you read the case studies

• What are the opposing arguments?
• What is at stake for the parties involved?
• What do you think were useful and/or less helpful approaches?
• Could there be a different language than “religious accommodation?”
• Could you offer some possible solutions to the conflict?

Case studies

• ACLU: Anti-Mosque Activity
• Newsweek: Muslim Woman in Virginia Claims Asking For Prayer Break Cost Her Job
• Muslim Prayer at School
• Prayer rooms in schools and here
• Ablution Spaces
• Muslim Campus Ritual Stirs Debate on Funding
• Call to Prayer Controversy
• Call to Prayer Causes Complaint
• Dogs and Ablution Practices
• Nail Polish and Ablution

Optional Videos:

•  Creating Welcoming Mosques for All

• American Muslim: Freedom, Faith and Fear and Part 2 and Part 3

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Class 2 – Practical Embodiment: Prayer in the Life of Prophet Muhammad

Slides from Class 2

Reading: The Importance and Meaning of Prayer in Islam

Watch: Ingrid Mattson, Islamic Prayer in Daily Life

Class 1 – Theological Foundations: Prayer in the Qur’an

Slides from Class 1

Readings:

• The Five Daily Prayers: Salat

Case Studies: Prayer in the Workplace:

• Newsweek: Muslim Woman in Virginia Claims Asking For Prayer Break Cost Her Job
• Indianapolis Star: Muslim Man Terminated After Asking for Prayer Breaks, Complaint
• ABC News: Muslim Employees File Religious Discrimination Complaint Against Wisconsin Firm Over Prayer Dispute