Taipei Grand Mosque
This course on Central Asia will inevitably contain a significant amount of content related to Islam. After all, when introducing countries like Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan, which have a strong religious influence, it is impossible to discuss them without mentioning religion. However, discussions about religion often tend to focus on the negative aspects, such as the Taliban in Afghanistan stifling the right of girls to study or the requirement for girls to wear full-body clothing after the religious revolution in Iran. It is important to recognize that these issues have complex causes and consequences.
Given the age of the children and the limited time in class, it is necessary to focus only on the key points. However, there is a concern that this approach may create a wrong impression of Islam as a religion that deprives human rights. Therefore, I am hopeful for a good opportunity to provide a positive introduction to Islam.
During a visit to the Islamic market in Daan Forest Park last December, I had the pleasure of meeting Novi, an Indonesian girl pursuing a doctoral program at Taipei University of Technology. Novi exhibited great curiosity and enthusiasm and shared insights into various Islamic teachings and customs. Recognizing the value of this experience, I have made arrangements to bring my students to visit the mosque and have asked Novi for her assistance in organizing the visit. She readily agreed, and I believe this will provide a valuable opportunity to present a positive perspective on Islam to my students.
In December of last year, I had the opportunity to visit the Islamic market in Daan Forest Park. While I was there, I decided to stop by the mosque and have a look around. It was during this visit that I had the pleasure of meeting Novi, an Indonesian girl who had come to Taipei University of Technology to pursue a doctoral program.
Novi displayed a great deal of curiosity about various aspects during our encounter. She was enthusiastic and took the time to explain many Islamic teachings and customs to me. Recognizing the value of this experience, I promptly made an appointment with her. I expressed my desire to bring my students to visit and gain a better understanding of Islam, and I asked for her assistance in arranging the visit.
To my delight, Novi was very happy about the idea and agreed immediately. I am grateful for her willingness to help, and I believe that this visit will be a wonderful opportunity for my students to expand their knowledge and appreciation of Islam.
2018.12.30 Taipei
Finally, after nearly a year, we have successfully completed the trip!
While I was waiting outside, I observed women wearing full-body smocks called Abayas, one after another. It seemed that it was around 1:00 pm, the time when they finished their prayers and prepared for lunch.
Upon entering, one can immediately notice the emphasis on the five principles of Islam. Aside from the importance of sincerity in one’s heart, “speaking out” holds significant value. Whether it is the act of ablution or engaging in prayer, it is necessary to recite the appropriate words. Another principle, “Zakat,” is a voluntary practice among Muslims where they contribute 2.5% of their annual income to help those in need. It is worth noting that Muslims do not scrutinize or criticize others for their acts of merit. The relationship with the Creator is considered personal, and it is not the place of any third party to make irresponsible judgments or comments.
These observations highlight the significance of personal devotion and the internal aspects of Islamic practice. It underscores the importance of sincerity and the individual’s connection with the divine, rather than focusing on external judgment or interference from others.
The teacher from the Taipei Mosque provided us with a serious and thorough explanation, aiming to address various misconceptions that secular individuals commonly have about Islam.
Myth 1: Does Allah mean the only God? The first question from a mother was about the text on the wall (yellow circle) being the name of Allah, right?
The teacher explained: This is a common misunderstanding. In our vernacular, we use terms like Jesus, Mazu, God, etc., to refer to “God.” When we face difficulties, it is natural for us to seek help from “God.” However, who is this god? What does it look like? In reality, no one has actually seen it. Different religions have different names for the divine. In Islam, Allah is the name used to refer to the invisible Creator. That is why there are no figurative representations or idols of Allah in the mosque. This is the rationale behind it. Therefore, the correct translation of the Arabic characters on the wall should be “the only creator.” The teacher also mentioned the pronunciation of Arabic and explained that “Allah” cannot be fully transliterated, but “Allah” is the closest approximation. However, it is important for a devout Muslim to learn Arabic since the Quran and all the liturgy are presented in Arabic.
Myth 2: Is Muhammad a descendant of Allah? To non-Muslims, it may seem like Prophet Muhammad is an object of worship that must be followed.
In reality, that is not the case! There is a clear distinction between Allah (the Creator) and Muhammad (the Prophet). Allah represents the divine, while Muhammad represents a human being. There is a clear line between the two. Muhammad serves as a bridge between humanity and God, delivering the divine message. Additionally, Islam recognizes other prophets from the Old Testament, such as Moses, Abraham, Ishmael (the son of Abraham), and Jesus, among others. These prophets are also revered in Islam. However, Muhammad is mentioned more prominently because his time is closer to the present.
Myth 3: Christianity is not my race and does not agree with me?
I apologize if the title was misleading. Let me clarify based on the teacher’s explanation. Different religions or sects can be likened to students in a classroom, each responding differently based on their own understanding and circumstances. To use a proverb, it could be said that “one kind of rice raises a hundred kinds of people.” If we look back at Jesus 2,000 years ago, when he bid farewell to his disciples, he prostrated with all five bodies on the ground, which is similar to the act of worship in Islam. In those times, Jesus would fast for 40 days a year, while nowadays only a few Christian denominations maintain the practice of fasting. The teacher believes that the teachings of Muslims are closer to the strict content of the Old Testament. From my understanding, it can be said that there is a connection between these religions, with individual branches having developed over time.
Myth 4: Don’t eat pork because pigs are omnivores and their food sources are too messy?
The teacher from the Taipei Mosque provided us with many explanations regarding this matter. In fact, this issue has been discussed for a long time. However, the teacher took some time to explain it, and I only grasped the main point later. In the Old Testament, it is clearly stated not to eat pork, and as a result, many religions, including Islam, abstain from consuming pork (returning to the concept of belonging to the same family). For example, Tai’an Hospital in Taiwan is the only halal-certified hospital and does not provide pork. This indicates that some Catholics also refrain from eating pork.
The abstract concept was conveyed to the adults, and then the children made more practical observations. They wondered why there were so many clocks on the wall. Everyone speculated about how many times a day a devout Muslim prays. The clocks, from right to left, represent the morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night prayers. These are the five daily rituals of worship, meaning that Muslims pray five times a day. A little girl who went to Dubai for a summer vacation found this very interesting. She wondered why the call to prayer was played multiple times a day. It turned out that the purpose was to remind everyone that it was time for prayer.
As for the clock labeled “Zhuma” on the far left, it represents the time of day instead of the call to prayer at noon. There is a special time every Friday when the imam ascends the wooden steps to deliver a sermon (as seen in the first two pictures). This is known as Jumu’ah, the congregational prayer and sermon that takes place every Friday.
The entrance of the Taipei Mosque faces a road that is oriented towards the direction of the sunrise. However, the direction of worship in mosques around the world is towards the Holy City of Mecca. Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia. If the mosque were in the UK, for example, the direction of worship would be southeast.
In Islam, there are three holy places: Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, and Jerusalem. The word “Jerusalem” can be broken down as follows: “Jeru” means foundation, and “salem” means peace. Therefore, Jerusalem is referred to as the “city of peace.” However, it is true that this city has experienced periods of conflict and instability throughout its history, spanning thousands of years.
The location of the Three Holy Lands of Islam
men’s bathroom
Before engaging in prayer, it is important for Muslims to ensure that their bodies are clean. Prior to entering the prayer room, individuals typically go to the bathroom to perform a ritual ablution called “Wudu.” During Wudu, Muslims wash their hands, face, hair, and feet in a specific order and for a specific number of times, following a set of guidelines. This process ensures physical cleanliness and spiritual preparation for prayer.
Regarding women and prayer, it is true that there are specific guidelines in Islam regarding menstruation. During their menstrual period, women are not permitted to engage in formal prayer. This is due to the belief that menstruation is a natural biological process and is considered a period of temporary ritual impurity. Once the menstrual period ends, women can resume their prayers and other religious activities.
“Wash SOP” hanging on the wall
Washlet toilets, which are equipped with features for washing and cleaning, are indeed a popular invention in Japan and are commonly found in many homes and establishments. However, it is interesting to note that the practice of using water for cleaning oneself after using the toilet has been a part of Islamic hygiene practices for over a thousand years.
In Islamic culture, cleanliness holds significant importance, including personal hygiene after using the bathroom. Muslims traditionally use water for cleaning themselves after using the toilet, and this practice is known as “istinja” or “istinjaa.” It involves using water to wash the private areas for cleanliness and purification. This practice is not limited to specific regions or countries but is followed by Muslims worldwide as a part of their religious and cultural customs.
So, while washlet toilets may be associated with Japanese innovation, the use of water for personal hygiene after using the toilet has a long-standing tradition in Islamic culture.
Writing here, I couldn’t help but insert a photo shared by the speaker when I went to a lecture last time.
What does it mean when you see the pattern of the first quarter moon at the airport in Dubai?
Many people have answered, “Where Muslims worship…” The correct answer is, “First Ad!” People will make judgments based on their own cognition and experience.
It is precisely because we are unfamiliar with Islamic culture that we might think the “cross,” representing the Christian world, can appear in the Islamic world. Not to mention becoming a sign of life-saving…
(Don’t forget the history of the Crusades…).
When I was in the shower room, I came across a room labeled as the “Beauty Room.” However, it is not a place for facial treatments. Based on my understanding of the situation and Lara’s experience attending a funeral in Japan, it is likely that this room is used for a different purpose—washing the deceased.
In Islamic culture, there is a belief that life does not carry death with it, and after death, it is important to keep the body clean, just as it was in life. The cleansing procedures are similar to regular cleaning practices, with each part of the body being washed three times. The main difference is that individuals perform these rituals themselves when alive, whereas after death, it is the responsibility of their family or community members to assist in washing the body.
Islamic customs dictate that people should be buried within 72 hours after death. If this timeframe cannot be met, alternative arrangements, such as burial at sea, may be considered. Coffins are not traditionally used in Islamic burials, and instead, the deceased is wrapped in a simple cloth shroud.
It’s worth noting that the reuse of the general box in the storage hall for 15 years, as you mentioned, aligns with the principles of environmental friendliness—a value that many cultures strive to uphold.
As the tour comes to a close, it’s heartwarming to hear about the thoughtful gestures made by the Indonesian sisters. Calling the children’s names and helping write their English names in Arabic for a group photo shows their considerate nature and effort to create a memorable experience. Additionally, preparing individual packages of snacks is a sweet gesture that adds a touch of kindness and hospitality to the occasion. These acts of thoughtfulness and generosity contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere during the tour.
A quote from Madame Curie:：
” Nothing in life is to be feared, it’s only to be understood. ” — Marie Curi
I am not affiliated with any particular religion, and I am still searching for my path in the future. However, I sincerely hope that children can develop an objective perspective of the world.
The world is not as peaceful as it should be due to numerous misunderstandings, misconceptions, and unwavering insistence. I do not have an excessive inclination towards any specific religion. Even during the frequent occurrences of terrorist attacks in recent years, I did not attribute the issue to Islam. This is because of what I learned from a teacher in a general education course at Zhengda University. He explained that Islam, as depicted in the Quran, has been subject to misunderstanding, and the Quran actually promotes peace.
The teacher’s gentle and refined demeanor lingered in my mind. Although I initially took the course for credits and did not have a genuine interest in studying the Quran, his words helped me maintain a more objective mindset.
As a teacher, you might not fully comprehend the impact your words can have on students and children. I aspire to do what I can, within my limited capacity, to contribute towards a more peaceful world.
