The English Gap

Last updated on: October 17, 2016 at 11:57 pm by Hind Makki

The English Gap 2016-10-17T23:57:59-06:00 Hind Makki

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

First night of Taraweeh prayers/Ala Ahmad

This is Day 6 of Hindtrospectives’ #MyMosqueMyStory series for Ramadan 2015

By Ala Ahmad

The imam stands in front of our congregation and begins his khatirah, the mid-Taraweeh short lecture. He begins with a familiar introduction, and then, he continues, in Arabic. While I speak, read, and write Arabic fluently, I have a hard time keeping up. No matter how hard I focus, I cannot make out the lesson or overall topic of the khatira, especially with the bustle of people as they step out for the short Taraweeh intermission. The imam pauses after 5 minutes and allows a brother with a thick accent to translate for a minute before he continues in Arabic. I sigh in frustration as I am reminded that my needs as an English speaker are secondary.

I have been a part of this mosque community since I was a little girl attending the Islamic school. I have seen our mosque’s transformation through 3 different spaces and many imams. Though I moved away for my graduate program, I ended up getting married and moving into an apartment only 2 minutes away from my mosque. I am an active member who regularly attends Friday evening prayers and all community dinners/iftars. Yet for the first time, I felt alienated because of language.

Our mosque is very blessed in that we pray in a large open space with no barriers between

Our mosque lights to celebrate Ramadan/Jana Ahmad

men and women. Women who have younger children or prefer a barrier have a separate room that they may pray in. Our mosque is cool, clean, and open. People of all backgrounds attend the mosque making it one of the most diverse congregations in our area. Our mosque has also prioritized involving female members including having them as part of the board. The women, in fact, have a better entrance than the men as it is conveniently located next to the parking lot. Men regularly use this entrance also, with no issues.

Despite all the good qualities our mosque possesses, I am frustrated by the cultural gap manifested in the language gap. This imam is beloved by many people who attend our masjid who are recent immigrants from the Middle East. Meanwhile our new generation of Muslim Americans along with Muslims from South Asia, Africa, and other non- Arabic speaking regions are left to grapple with the language gap. We don’t get the clever jokes or the funny stories the imam includes in his khatira because they do not translate for us. I cannot deny that this imam is knowledgeable and has an amazing voice that makes praying Taraweeh enjoyable. However, I feel that I am missing out because I cannot enjoy his knowledge like others do.

When I have complained about the language barriers to those in charge, including my father, I am usually ignored or informed that the lessons are translated. The translation is typically only 10% of the overall khatirah and I find the translations to be unsatisfactory.

Sisters come together to read Quran/Ala Ahmad

So I have decided to seek my Islamic knowledge elsewhere and I have started a small female only discussion group consisting of the younger members of the congregation where we discuss and debate Islamic topics. I am also using the break in between Taraweeh to catch up on my Quran reading for that day.

While my mosque experience is still not perfect, I refuse to move on to another community. I have outlasted several imams before this one. I am still trying to adapt and find what works for me, but I will not give up my mosque and community.

Ala Ahmad is a Palestinian-American immigrant who lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. A human rights activist, Ala helps investigate fair housing and fair employment complaints. You can follow her on Twitter @ala_ahmad.

#MyMosqueMyStory

Previous Post

June 23, 2015

Re-Mosquing Like a Boss

Next Post

June 25, 2015 Growing Up Mosqued, Away From the Masjid

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category #BlackLivesMatter #MyMosqueMyStory #ZoulSoul American Hijabi in Europe Black History Month Ertugrul Hindtrospectives Linksies Mawlid Pop Culture Trans Atlantic Relations Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2018 December 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 August 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 December 2012 November 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 October 2010 September 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary worship language in the Bible?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Hebrew Aramaic Latin Greek