Christmas Giving – The Unexpected Gift of New Life


BLAMA MOSQUE 1pm Friday 10th November 2006

Once I told the Brothers and people around the Catholic Mission that I was planning to go for Friday prayer at the mosque most were surprised. Some asked if I knew how to bend low to pray and others asked how I would dress. I was not so much worried about these things as to how I would be received as a stranger by race and religion. But deep down I knew that it was right to go and I knew that I was in the hands of a very capable Moslem mentor, Mr Bellay, who would not let me stray too much!

Expression of Faith
As we set off together walking the short distance from the Catholic Mission, across the small bridge by the swamp and towards town and the mosque, I was feeling a little nervous but mostly excited. It would be my first visit to a Moslem place of worship. The first thing I noticed were dozens of pairs of shoes and sandals around the mosque. We took off ours and greeted the elders around the entrance. We were ushered inside into a carpeted room full of men sitting in rows. It was 1pm and very hot and humid as we squeezed into the small gap created for us.

I only understood some of what followed but found it totally absorbing. There were two readings from the Koran - each followed by a commentary from the Imam. He spoke in Madingo, the language of a major Moslem tribe across West Africa, which was translated first into Mende, the local language, and then Krio, the universal language of the country. I learned later from my companion that the first reading was about the importance of faith. Faith was likened to fire which we need to light our homes, cook our meat and clear the fields after harvest. Lack of faith was like “hell fire” which could destroy us. The second reading stressed the value of learning and wisdom to ensure that we followed God’s way in our lives.

For the prayer itself we stood in our lines across the room – we were in the front line reserved for those very knowledgeable elders who could prompt the Imam during the reading of the Koran. We bowed several times before kneeling and prostrating ourselves some times whilst saying the prayers aloud in Arabic. After some moments of silent prayer we sat down again for ‘notices’. After a discussion about what to do with a preacher who had said things contrary to the views of the Imam, my companion was invited to explain who this white stranger was! Then it was my turn to say something.

I explained that my role across the world was to help and encourage people to pray to God and that I had been in Blama for three weeks now and very much welcomed by the people. I said I had come to pray with them because our Christian leaders in Europe were asking us to enter dialogue with our Moslem brothers so that we would have good relations between us and face together the many problems in our world. I gave them a summary of the recent Vatican message to Moslems to mark the end of Ramadan. I thanked them for their gracious welcome especially as my visit came as a surprise to them.

The Imam replied that they were wondering who this white person was and presumed that he was a Moslem. He noticed the respectful way that we entered the mosque. Now that he knew my purpose he was very grateful for the visit. He said that my work was not something to take lightly. He sent greetings from all at the mosque to my family in England and promised to pray for us. After wishing the whole assembly ‘Salem malecum’ we left.

Later, my companion told me that a lot of Moslems around town were asking him who this stranger was and how grateful they were for the visit. My friends from the Catholic parish were also very keen to hear how I got on.

Brother Francis Hall

Perhaps this Christmas step outside the comfort zone of your community and family and venture into the world of those who also desire to share the Gift of New Life.

For further information contact Peter Harney Email: ptrharn@aol.com or webiste www.edmundrice..org.au/crt.
On behalf of the CRT …