One of the neatest things that I have experienced here in Doha is getting to hear the Adhan, which is the Isalmic call to prayer that occurs 5 times throughout the day. The first time I heard it, I was asleep and it was around 5 o'clock in the morning. I was a bit confused because I heard something that sounded like a far away chant. It was quite peaceful in the still of the night and for a brief moment, my heart was raised to God. Last night I heard it in the evening after Enrique had gotten home from work. We were all in the living room just visiting. Enrique was playing with the kids and through the boistrous laughter of Enriquito I faintly heard the Adhan. It was lovely..so much so that it drew me outside so that I could listen to it more clearly. Not that I have any clue what that man is yelling from who knows what tower, but it was lovely. I closed my eyes and there was a sweet cool breeze in the air. In that moment, I was able to thank God for His goodness, able to thank him for His many blessings, and able to thank Him for this little call to prayer. It it a wonderful thing to be interrupted in the business of the day in order to give Him a moment. This afternoon I was eating lunch while both of the boys were napping. It was a little past noon and I heard the Adhan again. I just smiled, and thanked God once again for reminding me of His constant presence in my life, of His constant love for me.
We are all called to "pray without ceasing", to a constant union with the good God. I am so very grateful to our Muslim brothers and sisters who have Adhan to remind them of this truth. And though I am not Muslim, this is one Muslim tradition I plan on taking full advantage of while I am here, thanks be to God.
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4 comments:
Greetings from a fellow St. Marys parishoner. You may or may not remember me. I too am in Qatar. I just got here last week. I heard you were hear from Blair.
This is a neat place except for the roundabouts.
Frank Platt
Que bonito! Ya quisieramos tener algo asi aca.
What a beautiful tradition you'll be able to take part in! Can't wait to talk to you...do you have phone yet? We have an ice storm coming just as we're moving in to the house tonight! Miss you!
i would like to share the e'ddress of Fr. Ismael Nabesla (Community of St. John) with ya'll. let me know an email for ya'll. the reason I want to share is because while he was in Laredo for a while with the Brothers there, he now is in lots of Muslim countries. He has some beautiful perspective on Christian/Muslim dialogue. One thing he points out is how Christians (families not just monastic communities) had once prayed as it is recommended in the OT, "A righteous man will pray 7 times a day." This was with the Liturgy of the Hours :) The revelation of Divine Mercy calls us once again to worshiping God throughout the day. I have been led interiorly to pray often for Veronica & Marie & their new families. The recurring thought/remembrance is my introduction to the Chapel of Divine Mercy in the adoration chapel of St. Josephs while angels prayed for leadership of AA54.
Ol Army Fight! (with your rosaries :)
whistler_providence@yahoo.com
or
anthony.whistler@gmail.com
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