Muslim American Basketball Player’s Longing for the Reopening of Mosques 

Translator: Fatıma Nur Dinçer

Today’s news is about the reflection and representation of the peace, sincerity, and excitement that Islam gives to the hearts. We are all touched by the effect true faith and surrendering have had on our Muslim brother. Without further ado let us introduce to you the brother in the subject. 

An American Muslim basketball player couldn’t contain his excitement as mosques reopened in Qatar on June 15, after three months of closure due to the pandemic. Just like this brother, our days as the ummah now thankfully involve being able to go to the mosques in different parts of the world.  

Musa Abdul-Aleem, a Muslim basketballer at Al Wakrah Club, shared a video of himself happily running toward a mosque in Al Wakrah, while repeatedly saying out loud, “The Masjid open! The Masjid is open!” In the video, courtesy of Ilmfeed, carries on with him excitedly asks a security guard about the sound he can hear, “Is that the Iqama?” (the second call to Islamic prayer)

As Qatar starts to ease its Covid-19 restriction, 500 mosques open their doors for daily prayers. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, like others, Muslim countries worldwide have taken drastic measures to halt its spread. Precautions include the closing of the Ka’bah and Masjid-ul-Nabawi to visitors and the temporary suspension of Umrah.

After the 70-day restriction, 90,000 people returned to Masjid al-Nabawi. Mosques in Makkah, including the Qabah, are planned to be opened in line with the gradual return to normal life plans.

On days where we are finally able to see signs of a gradual return to normal life, we pray that Allah makes us from those who can live our lives filled with Iman and understanding from now on.  

This article was originally written in Turkish. Click to read it! Amerikalı Basketbolcu Kardeşimizin Camiye Olan Özlemi