Going to Taraweeh

Last updated on: August 24, 2010 at 9:46 am by Kristina ElSayed

Going to Taraweeh 2010-08-24T09:46:18-04:00 Kristina ElSayed

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.

Over the weekend, we decided to go to the Taraweeh Prayers at the girls’ school. It was my first time going, so I googled it to see what I could expect. I found that Taraweeh means rest prayer. Taraweeh is the series of prayers after the Ishaa prayer during Ramadan. There are a set of 11 rakahs performed, in which 1/30 of The Quran is recited each night so that at the end of Ramadan, the whole Quran has been recited.

Taraweeh had been discussed at my last Halaka, but I wasn’t completely clear on what exactly would happen. I dressed the same as I would for attending Friday Prayer, and we were off! When we arrived, the prayers were already underway, and we came in at a period of time where there was a break in the recitation. During this break, there was a fundraiser for helping the Pakistani people. We met a lot of people that we see often at school and on Fridays, but where we have become commonplace at other times of prayer, everyone was very happy to see my family at the Taraweeh. I was greeted by friends bearing big smiles and tight hugs.

During the prayers, there is child care available for children under the age of 12, where they do crafts and watch videos, but my ladies prefer to wear their prayer outfits and sit with Khaled and ask questions, and perform the prayers. I sit in the back of the room, in the same place every time so that if I am needed, everyone knows where to find me. It is from this vantage point that I can greet everyone that comes in, and I can observe the prayers and listen without being in the way.

I love to watch my family pray together. Although I do not understand the language of The Quran, I do pick up bits and pieces of phrasing that I do recognize and remember from our discussions at home and at Halaka. There is something so moving about the method of prayer in Islam that is so different from anything I have experienced before.

When the 11th rakah had been performed, and it was time to leave, we stood in the lobby, folding the Hijabs and Prayer Outfits, returning them to their totes and saying goodnight to the friends and acquaintances as they left for home. I felt that we had accomplished something. Somehow, this was a milestone for my family that had been achieved, and I know that every Ramadan from now on, when we are able, we will go to Taraweeh Prayers.

Previous Post

August 23, 2010

So...Are You Fasting?

Next Post

August 26, 2010 New Hijabs for School

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Beyond Etsy Blog Posts Books Educational Gadgets Hijabs In the House Jewelry On Etsy Personal Ramadan Reader Questions Reader Response Recipes Resources Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month April 2020 January 2020 September 2019 March 2019 December 2018 September 2018 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the first book of the Bible?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Genesis Matthew Psalms Exodus