3 OCTOBER 2008 - VISIT TO ABU DHABI, SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE, AND A FRIEND

Yesterday, brother Paul and I went to Abu Dhabi for a visit. First, we had lunch in the Marina Mall, then we met up with a friend for some sheeshah as we celebrated our unity and brotherhood in Islam. Afterward, we went to the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Mosque for Al-Maghrib. Words simply CANNOT describe how awesome that mosque is. I will post a few photos of it, but nothing comes even remotely near to capturing its beauty and magic.

THURSDAY - 2 October 2008 - friends visit us in Al Ain

Here are some photos of the gang in Al Ain Oasis, eating [as usual], and at the Al Ain Palace Museum.

THURSDAY - 2 October 2008 - friends visit us in Al Ain

Here are some photos of the Al Ain Palace Museum which was the home of the father of the late and honourable Sheikh Zayed, founder of the United Arab Emirates.

THURSDAY - 2 October 2008 - friends visit us in Al Ain

Look at this!! Students have no respect for their teacher. They sleep, sleep, sleep, and they blame it on me!? Imagine the gall! Then, student Paul reackons he does not need a teacher, so he starts to teach. Hijacks me completely! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...Look at those faces - do they look innocent? Huh? Huh? Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!!!!!!

THURSDAY - 2 October 2008 - friends visit us in Al Ain

Here are more photos. In the first, there are John, Niel and Darryll at Town House [my favourite restaurant] in downtown Al Ain. Neil hasn't brushed his teeth! Ja well no fine! ;-) Paul and Adnan are deep in conversation. The last 2 photos are of the bunch at Al Ain Mall last night. We had coffee, chatted and enjoyed the festivities of Eid Al-Fitr. Allah be praised for good friendships and for brotherhood!

THURSDAY - 2 October 2008 - friends visit us in Al Ain

Here are some photos of me [in red kandoora], and my 3 brothers at prayer at Bin Hammooda Mosque in Al Ain. Brother Mohammad [from Syria] to my left, brother Paul [from England] behind me, and brother Adnan [from Bosnia] next to me in the black kandoora. The 3 brothers play with a catty in the mosque courtyard after Al-Asr prayer earlier today. Waiting for us in front of the mosque are our other friends. The last 2 photos are of brother Adnan and I doing our impersonisations of our beloved students who seem to be extraordinarily attached to their cell phones.

EID AL FITR

Today is the happy day of Eid. This morning after saying Al-Fajr salat at home, brother Paul and I went to the Musallah in Al-Maqam to join the congregation for Al-Eid Salat. As we arrived, there were a few brothers already making the dhikr before Salat:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar!

Laa illaha illa'llah.

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar,

walillahil hamd!

As the lines filled up for prayer, the singing of these beautiful words billowed around us like sweet-smelling incense, carrying my soul to the heavens in praise and worship of the only True God.

I realised, once more, how profoundly blessed and fortunate I am to have received the gift of Islam, and to be able to make this glorious proclamation in faith and in remembrance of God:

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest!

No god has the right to be worshipped except Allah.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest,

and to Allah be praise!