From the Midwest to the Middle East: Proof I have Friends :)

It took me a few weeks, but I finally did something that is "Kuwaiti." I toured the Grand Mosque with some of the other teachers from my school. It was such a cool experience, and I am so glad I did it. I learned a lot about the religion of Islam through the experience. I wouldn't say I know everything, but I definitely got some insight. I took as many notes as possible to share with you.

Grand Mosque

This is the Grand Mosque in Kuwait. It is the largest Mosque in Kuwait, and I think the 7th largest in the world (not sure about my memory on that). This Mosque took 7 years to build and cost 14 million KD (Kuwaiti Dinar) which is equivalent to about $48,678,720 US dollars. INSANE. And yes i did that math in my head. The Mosque can hold about 150,000 people (the man who gave us the tour told us that there are that many people in the Mosque at the end of Ramadan and they all break their fast together, pretty awesome). Mosques are also never demolished, for they believe that they do not have the right to tear down a house of God.

When we arrived we were given a hijab to wear (they wrapped it for us). You were given only a hijab if what you were wearing were acceptable. You had to be wearing a long skirt and long sleeves. If you weren't dressed appropriately, they gave you a robe and a hijab. I found that really great that they provided you with the necessary wear, it shows how open they are to visitors and people who do not follow Islam.

From Left to Right: Anika, Allison, Me, Liz, Camille, and Valeska (proof I haven't been just hanging out by myself - real friends!)

Once the group of people (large group of people) were dressed and ready to enter the Mosque, the man gave us some information we needed prior to entering. First we had to take off our shoes. Second, you enter the Mosque with your right foot (I couldn't hear the significance of this) and you exit the Mosque with your left foot. There is also a phrase you say as you enter the Mosque that when translated means you are asking God permission to enter His house.

Leaving my shoes outside

He also explained a little bit about the prayer announcements that we hear. He said it starts off repeating "God is Greater." The first prayer announcement is at 4:00 am. The tour guide (man I really wish I remembered his name) said that at 4:00 am when you are in your warm bed it is difficult to get out and pray, and that is why they say "God is Greater" - God is greater than whatever you are doing at that moment. There is also recognition that there is only one Allah, and the announcement is summoning everyone to come to prayer. Islam means to give oneself up to God. They start praying 5 times a day in their early teens. They learn the Quran at 7 and get tested on the Quran in the Mosque. Also, before prayer they wash. There is a routine of washing, the idea is that your body is clean and now you are ready to clean your soul (pray). First you wash your hands, you gargle, wash your face, right arm, left arm, feet, and head. I have also seen my students wash before they go pray during prayer break (one of my students also told me she couldn't go pray because she had nail polish on, there are more things like that, but I don't know all of them)

The man who gave us the tour and detailed information. He was awesome.

Materials to build this are from all over the world. The chandelier (you can barely see) weighs one ton, it is made of 18 karat gold from Italy. The glass is from Germany and France. The designs are from Morocco. The middle circle (above) has 99 names of God (ex: nourisher, giver, Allah, etc.)

Unbelievably gorgeous

The rooms where the children get tested on the Quran

When entering the Mosque, men enter first and are in the first rows. Behind the men are the children. Women are in the back. They stand shoulder to shoulder and face Mecca. There is a prayer leader who reads gospels from the holy Quran. The Quran took 23 years to complete. There is a prayer and a body movement routine they do while they pray (that I tried to video, but faced technical difficulties).

The Holy Quran

This is the direction towards Mecca (and towards the prayer leader) you can see the design in the carpet is like a little prayer space for each person (no chairs here).

It was such a unique experience, and a lot to learn and take in. I know I didn't hear everything. Some of us were thinking of going back one day to learn more. It was such a beautiful place.

Other Updates

Anika, Anne Rose, and myself went to an Expat Dinner event. We joined an Expat group on Facebook where they host different events to get together with other people not from Kuwait and to meet people. We went to the dinner event and met lots of nice people. My favorite part is that it is not other Americans. You meet people from all over. We met people from South Africa, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and other places I can't remember. It was great to go and we will probably go to more! They had a bowling one, but I decided not to embarrass everyone with my excellent bowling skills.

Found out he is our co-worker's roommate!

Me and Anika photo bombing, prolly my fave pic ever

New friend Farnoosh! She is from Iran

Things in the classroom are going well. I have had a couple rough days last week, but let's face it - comes with the job. Our Wednesday was a fantastic day though. We played a place value activity; the kids loved it and I thought they were really grasping the material! (notice the word thought) - all is good though. Baby steps.