Sept. 10th, Pakistan

Sept. 10, 2010


After many days of trying cell phone connections, our local i.t. guy has got us a PTCL USB to borrow. Sometimes it actually works, but not too often. For 1200 rs a month I can get 50 hours worth of user time. I need to be outside to get a connection. When you get disconnected, you must start a new hour to reconnect My best bet for reaching home is still the phone. At one rupee a minute (less than one cent) that’s a pretty good deal. I had wanted to keep updating anyone who wanted to know about me through my blog, but it may be harder than I thought. Getting anything done online takes hours or even days to accomplish. But a word on the young man we rely on to help us old folk in these matters. Amjadjan Khan is 23 years old and owns his own cell phone business in Gharibabad. He supplies cell phone and internet service to that entire sector of the city. He’s also a frequent contributor to YouTube, so check him out!

In a few hours, my friends and family back home will be celebrating Eid. Eid Mubarak you guys! I certainly miss you. Eid here will not be till Saturday, Sept 11th. It is my first Eid in a Muslim country but it doesn’t seem exciting yet.

On the 27th I went to Faisal Mosque, the largest and most beautiful masjid in Islamabad. On the eve of the 27th, it reminds one of Canton Mosque: People, food , clothes and prayers, not necessarily in that order. Of course, it is much larger than a masjid in the U.S. Faisal Masjid is actually a beautiful complex of buildings. There is the masjid itself and then inner and outer courtyards, with fountains, plazas and service areas for wudu, book stores and gift shops. The interior and exterior designs are sleek, sophisticated and modern with white beams, grids, latticework that let in the light and create reflected patterns on the walls. The grids and latticework create a feeling of lightness and space.

After walking through the outer courtyards, the inner masjid is reached by a series of staircases. Inside, one immediately notices a large mural by Sadiqain, a famous artist and calligrapher. It says, All men are brothers. The lower level of the masjid is the men’s area. There are two balconies for the women. Alhamdulilah, both were well ventilated with air conditioners and fans.

Faisal Masjid is in the best section of Islamabad. Most of those who come here are from the more well off sectors of society. They were well dressed but not too gaudy, since they were here for Tarawih prayers. The two young women sitting next to me were very fashionable in red and silver silwar chameeses. Their makeup was discreet. Besides the local families, there were tourists and other visitors.


Faisal Mosque has its name from King Faisal of Saudi Arabia who gifted the masjid to the people of Pakistan at the World Islamic Summit held in Pakistan in 1979.

The 27th-29th nights are marathon prayer nights there, with each rakat (prayer cycle) lasting a half hour and a new reciter for each two rakats. I could only do two at that pace The rest of the time I listened, people watched and wandered in the outer courtyards where people prayed picnicked and watched their kids run around. Asad and I shared some kheer bought from a vendor and then took the shuttle bus provided back to the main street to get a taxi to go home.

This year is the first time in Pakistan’s history that Peshawar will be celebrating Eid with the rest of the country. They are usually a day or two ahead in the Northwestern provinces. They are with everyone else this year because they want to celebrate it on 9/11. So Ramadan has been a full 30 days this year. May Allah (SWT) accept our fasting, our prayers and our deeds. Ameen.