The OCeeker: Masjid Al-Rahman (Islamic Society of Orange County) and a Mysterious, Rolling Red Toolbox
Categories: Gimme That OC Religion
 |
That's right: The inimitable infidel himself got his assalamu 'alaikum on during a recent sun-soaked Friday afternoon when he took in a li'l khutbah [sermon], and some jum'ah [special group prayer thingy] with many of Orange County's most devout Muslims at the county's longest-running mosque, Masjid Al-Rahman in Garden Grove (otherwise known as the Islamic Society of Orange County to kafirs).
Just a hop, skip and a jihad behind Vien Dong [snicker] off Brookhurst Street south of Westminster Avenue, the masjid (mosque) is a tan stucco edifice trimmed in brown that rests on the Islamic Society of Orange County's sprawling 5.2 acre campus, which also includes the K-8 Orange Crescent School.. Yeppers, it has a dome. And yeppers-squared, there is a crescent moon and star atop that bad boy.
Before entering the mosque, the OCeeker stepped into the restroom to take a wiz khalifa. Whoaaaaa nelly, he thought he saw a row of Muslims dropping the kids off at the pool, when he realized he had accidentally walked into the ablution area, where they were washing their hands and feet in preparation for prayer. Whew! The ritual is called wudhu. And wudhu cleansing ain't nuthin' to fuck with.
Feb. 17, 1 p.m. Sign Near Entry: "Sisters Are Advised to Wear Hijab"
Allah bless Masjid Al-Rahman. They got one thing right: Women are separated from the men during Jum'ah. As hundreds of men walked into the musallah (prayer hall), the hijab-cladded women scurried upstairs for salah [prayer...and gossip]. The only drawback is that Jum'ah is mandatory for men and optional for women. So men: if you must go, at least they don't force you to listen to Fussy Fareeha prattling on about your weekend to-do list.
And speaking of the battle of the sexes, Masjid Al-Rahman is not the place to look for a hookup unless you have a thing for bearded, middle-aged men. Although, through one woman's niqab (face covering), the OCeeker caught a glimpse of dark brown eyes that betrayed their lust for him.
 |
| Not cuttin' a prayer rug |
The OCeeker (peace be upon him), respectfully took off his size 10½ Clarks Touareg black oxfords and placed them in a foyer cubby, above which a TV screen announced the mosque's "Hot Hula Fitness Classes".
As he moseyed into the musallah, his concern about Fritos feet a'funkin' up the air was immediately assuaged by the air conditioning and a fresh scent that permeated the room. Only old-school Muslims walked in bare-footed, while the young brothers sported their socks. And be it as Muslim men are manly men, there wasn't a single pair of footie socks in sight. The young men dressed casually, some looking like they were on their way to Sutra in Costa Mesa. Many of their elders wore loose robes over their street clothes. Several sported kufi caps, the kind that legendary Cleveland Brown running back Jim Brown wears. A handful of white men stuck out like saltines in the sea of Middle Easten men, and a couple of black men were spotted too, one looking somewhat like Mos Def.
The musallah was bright and spacious, with no furniture. Upon the white walls there hung several pieces of Islamic calligraphy giving props to Allah and the religion's prophets, including Jesus Christ, who the Muslims demoted six centuries after a handful of scandalous first-century Jews promoted him from carpenter's son to Messiah. [Can't way to see His exit interview.]
As he moseyed into the musallah, his concern about Fritos feet a'funkin' up the air was immediately assuaged by the air conditioning and a fresh scent that permeated the room. Only old-school Muslims walked in bare-footed, while the young brothers sported their socks. And be it as Muslim men are manly men, there wasn't a single pair of footie socks in sight. The young men dressed casually, some looking like they were on their way to Sutra in Costa Mesa. Many of their elders wore loose robes over their street clothes. Several sported kufi caps, the kind that legendary Cleveland Brown running back Jim Brown wears. A handful of white men stuck out like saltines in the sea of Middle Easten men, and a couple of black men were spotted too, one looking somewhat like Mos Def.
 |
| Act like you been there before |
At the front of the musallah there was the qiblah wall. Muslims pray toward the qiblah wall, and thus toward Mecca. [BTW, Mecca and the Soul Brother by Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth is one of the greatest rap albums of all time.] A cutout in the wall, called the mihrab, showed the direction toward Mecca. ["They Reminisce Over You" is the best song off Mecca and the Soul Brother and the greatest rap track of all time) Inside the mihrab was a minbar [pulpit].
The OCeeker sat on the red prayer carpet near a column, almost directly underneath the dome, which symbolizes heaven. Its blue-hued belly was striking. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
Write Comment
Email to Friend
Print Article
