Sitting Room Only!

The twilight hour in all its glory!

My homeward journey from my tutoring at the Meadows brings me around the Trade Centre (to pick up GK) and then past this very beautiful mosque in the heart of old Zabeel, close to the Majlis and Palace of Sheikh Mohammed.

Suffice to say it is a 'sensitive' area so no possibility of setting up a tripod to take a photograph....a fleeting flash as we drive past!

We've often passed by when the call to prayer summons the faithful....and wonder if one day we will actually be fortunate enough to see Sheikh Mohammed himself attending....for this is the mosque he would use.

It is situated right opposite the Majlis which is an Arabic term meaning "a place of sitting."

I guess we have an equivalent in our British 'sitting room' though I've never really thought of it like that before!!

It is a place where guests are received and entertained during the month of Ramadan and other Islamic feast days. It was also a place where the rulers held counsel and those who wished to have their petitions heard would visit and talk openly with them. Decisions would be made and people would leave satisfied...(mostly!)

The original Majlis concept, before stone and concrete took hold, was found beneath the shade of the Banyan tree. The Emirate of Sharjah has a square dedicated specifically to the tree and there are still a few living specimens where small groups gather and put the world to rights after prayer time on Friday!!

Oh the simplicity of life!!

Happy Blipping Everyone