If we could just somehow always be aware of the following, I am sure none of the ethnic differences would be apparent in some mosques throughout the world: Be aware that Allah Sees and Knows all things. We do not see Allah, but He Sees us and He Hears what we say. Is it not advised that we should Worship Allah as if we see Him? All our kindnesses are also a form of Ibadir, so why not also practice these kindnesses in our Mosques? Every move we make can amount to Ibadir if performed with Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah). Always keep in mind also that our goal in this life on earth is for our soul to be good enough to return to Jannat. A true believer should constantly be reminding himself or herself of this goal. If we cannot strive for this goal, side by side, how can we hope to achieve it??? Jean Khan.

WA,

I think you’ve misread my comment Paul. I was pointing to a geographical region and not an ethnic group. I’m also Arab but feel that the role of the mosque in the Arab world has diminished as I’ve mentioned above in my comment. And this is not always the case. Nonetheless it presents itself as the general case from my experience.

I’ve heard about stories regarding the issue of ethnic singularities in the mosque from friends abroad but I think this piece has been written to show us that even if you have issues or problems with your brother muslim, try and solve these issues with full disregard of ethnicity and trying to solve them the same way you would with your family. And that is a beautiful take on mosque etiquette.

Salaam. Please let us not single out just one or another ethnic group as not having the best attitudes and behaviors. My personal observation, limited though it may be, has been that many mosques and Islamic institutions suffer from ethnicism and/or “in group” insularity to the practical exclusion of others, with this, that, or the other dominant group taking over. Allah (swt) knows best, but how do we overcome this so that true universal Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood may prevail? It is not only a matter of one group.

I do feel disappointed that mosques in the Arab world have only becomes places to do your “raka’s”. They no longer have the attribute of being a center of knowlege, spiritual or physical. I pray for the day that changes.