Day 3

I’m going to a masjid I’ve never been to before tonight. I’m a little nervous. It’s been a very long time since I went to new masjid. I love my dergah in NYC and the masjid across the street when I lived in Astoria was so convenient. No such luck here in Philly. Thinking of going to a new spot where I don’t know anyone, don’t know the politics of the space is a little nervewracking though Ramadan is the best possible time to roll up to a new place. I’ve recently decided to start keeping my hair under wraps in public most of the time so I worry less about hearing that “some of your hair is showing so your prayer is invalid” comment when the scarf slips, but I do still fret–what will the women’s prayer space be like? (please don’t let it be a basement that doubles as the childcare facility), will the women be friendly? Will it be a monocultural space where my skin color makes me stand out? Etc.

The truth is I have no idea until I get there. The fretfulness distracts from BEING, so I’m going to set it aside for now, just in the corner of my mind. I am fasting for love, so I’ll focus on that and breathe before pushing in the masjid door tonight.