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Impressions of Islam
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A visit to the Islamic Center begins with a drive out to 4243 N. Cloverdale Rd. in Garden City. Many Muslims from all over the
Treasure Valley choose to make this trip at least every Saturday to pray together with people from their communities.
Driving among regular neighborhood houses, one would not expect to pull up to the driveway of what on first glance appears a residence, and instead finds a center for worship. Arriving as the sun sets, people split between two doors, men at one entrance and women at another, walking by removed shoes surrounding the entrance into the center’s serene atmosphere.
Once inside, the soft, luxurious carpet gently massages people’s feet. They have hushed conversations while awaiting the service. A raw brick fireplace sprawls across the far wall while pictures and carvings covered in Arabic lettering hang on other surfaces. The spicy scent of incense is overwhelming as everyone prepares to say his or her evening and night prayers.
Women fall into lines, marked subtly on the carpet by a faint change of shade within the pile. They face a brown silk curtain like a flowing sheet of milk chocolate, with the men standing on the other side. All face east toward the Kaaba in Mecca, the holy city of Islam. A green box housing small squares of rock hangs on the wall by the entrance and each person sets one of these squares on the ground in front of them.
The prayers then begin with the pastor, or Imam, speaking the Arabic rituals over a loudspeaker. The people follow the example of the Imam, murmuring along with him. Body positions range from standing to sitting to kneeling with heads placed on the square rock on the ground. Called prostrating, this process requires Muslims to touch their heads to the ground but, as the carpet makes this difficult to achieve indoors, the rock represents the earth.
During the prayers, the room’s atmosphere seems casual with some people praying the entire time and others only for part. Some sit on chairs around the edges of the room, watching those on the ground. Many children also wait at the sides of the room and, although some older siblings attempt to keep younger ones quiet, the children can still make noise. It conveys an image of private prayer, where people worship only for themselves, oblivious to their surroundings.
At one point, a small girl walks to her mother, complaining that her older sister took a book from her and tugs at her mother’s clothing. The latter shows no recognition of the child, continuing her prayers and only when finished does she show affection to her waiting daughter.
The clothing of many people at the center also emphasizes the difference from regular American culture. Although many of the males dressed casually in jeans and T-shirts, the Imam wore flowing robes in white and pastels with a white turban. The women wore pants and dresses to cover almost their entire bodies, and scarves to cover their hair and neck.
A contrast clearly displays itself regarding the age of the women and their dress. Older women dressed conservatively with simple scarves and black clothing. However, teenage girls wore American-style clothing and scarves with bright, sparkly patterns. These females also wore noticeable makeup and some wore heavy silver jewelry, contrasting the modest attire of the aged women. The youngest girls faced no requirement for covering their heads and so most wore childish dresses.
Following the services both men and women socialized, talking animatedly about a range of subjects. The center’s community building aspect became clear as people mingled with others who shared their beliefs and forged bonds with worshipers from all over the world who somehow ended up in Boise, Idaho.
TABITHA KEILY
News Coordinator
