Zikr - Remembrance

Our normally, quiet street, became a hive of calm, focused, fun and activity this afternoon.

Our neighbour, Brian Flynn practices Zikr, a Sufi ritual, an Islamist devotional act of meditation which aims to create a divine state.

It typically involves, the remembrance of God, recitation of the 99 names of Allah and supplications taken from the Hadith texts.

A Chef had set up kitchen in an unfinished building at the entrance to the street. Vats of beans, rice, molokhia, bubbled away on a wrought iron cooker, chef encouraged me to taste as he stirred the huge cooking vessels.
Two men sat over a chopping board, dicing, cucumber and tomatoes, adding bundles of finely chopped coriander and oil, to make a typical Egyptian salad.

Outside, two young lads, were erecting the wooden frame for the tent, which would cover the street outside Brians house. Precariously they used wall ladders, to walk along the length of the beams, tying string around the meeting beams, and securing them with a tug from their teeth.

The 'Electric man' unravelled metres of cable and sent the younger lads up to the roofs of nearby buildings, taking the cable with them and the very necessary loud speakers, from which the supplications would echo.

Once the frame was up, the traditional, silky blue, red and gold, Islamic design material, was attached, carpets were laid and the lap top was linked to the amp.
'Allah, Allah' are the words used to test the microphone, some minor adjustments were made to the echo effect and the volume, it is always loud!

The sun began to set and the children became more and more excited, as the lights were turned on.

Men arrived on foot and by arabiya (bus)shrouded in shashes (Scarves) woollen gallabeyahs and abayahs thrown over their shoulders, in preparation for the cool night air.

After Magreb, the evening prayer, the invitations started and people gathered to sit on the rugs in the tent. We were invited in for food and sat amongst the men, on the floor with a large silver tray of traditional Egyptian dishes in front of us.

The Qoran readings began and the people chanted and moved. A man came around and sprayed us with a cologne, scented with flowers and the men chanted again.

It struck me how privileged I was, to witness such an occasion, as women would not be in attendance, unless invited. There was something very special happening in front of me, everyone was a part of it and were united. I didn't understand what was being said, but the feeling was of belief, trust and unity, feelings which made me feel a little part of what they all understood and felt.

The people were all so incredibly respectful and welcoming towards us, we were all one and equal here this evening. It was very humbling and incredible, that I was here amongst the Zikr

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