Friday prayers

It’s time for Friday prayers and the usually empty car park is filling, as are the surrounding streets. Midday prayers on Friday are the equivalent of Sunday Church, but with greater attendance I think. The muezzin summons one and all, and the sound echoes and swirls around the streets as we are surrounded by mosques of all shapes and sizes for there is a far greater number of them per square mile than churches. It’s pretty much a male only affair, although the mosques have a separate area for women.

The ‘service’ (I don’t know the correct term) is broadcast for the duration; and in some countries I believe the state has some influence. 

It’s over very quickly, the streets flood with people and cars.

The slow start to the weekend has ended. People go to family gatherings and the city slowly comes to life again.