Introduction to Islam Spring 2009 Introduction to Islam Spring 2009 Choose one of the mosques or Islamic centers from the list below and visit one of its religious activities. You may wish to contact the site to inquire about its particular activities. Contacting a mosque prior to your visit may also allow you to arrange a time to speak with some of the members of the mosque during your visit. As discussed in class, the most important activity at a mosque is the congregation prayer, which usually takes place around 12:30 or 1 p.m. on Fridays. (It is a good idea to show up earlier just in case.) Many mosques also have religious classes and lectures; you may also visit one of these events for your site visit. Generally speaking, Islam is a religion that encourages proselytization. Consequently, most Muslims welcome outsiders and are open to sharing their faith. I mention this to lay to rest any anxieties you might have about how you will be received.
After your visit, write a six- to ten-page paper analyzing your experience. You may turn in your paper anytime before April 22. (See the syllabus for the policy on extensions and late assignments.) I encourage you to write the paper soon after your visit, while the experience is still fresh.
There are several things to keep in mind when doing a site visit in general and some things that you should know when visiting an Islamic center. In general, as a researcher/student visiting a religious site, you should keep in mind that you are a guest. You should, whenever appropriate, inform leaders/organizers at the site of your presence. I say, when appropriate, because sometimes the crowd is so large that there is no opportunity for such introductions. Never be dishonest about the purpose of your visit. When appropriate, offer information about why you are visiting and what you hope to learn. It is important for you and your hosts to develop a sense of trust so that you could sincerely communicate about religion.
As a guest, you should try to adhere to the practices of the tradition whose site you are visiting. Pay attention to what other people do and follow suit. If people take off their shoes before entering a particular room, so should you. If everyone is quiet or is speaking in a low voice, you should also be quiet or speak in a low voice. If no one extends his or her legs when seated, you should also avoid extending your legs when you sit.
Being a polite guest, however, should not be confused with being a docile guest. If at any point you are asked to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, you should politely inform your host(s) of your discomfort and explain that you would much rather observe. You should not participate in any ritual in a religious tradition that is not your own unless you have been informed that it is okay for you to participate in the ritual. You may wish to ask if you could participate because physical involvement sometimes reveals important aspects of religious rituals and, by extension, religious traditions. In speaking with members of the site, feel free to ask questions even if they are critical questions. Many think that by asking critical questions they may offend their hosts, as though religious people themselves never think critically about their faith. I trust, however, that most of us know the difference between a critical question and an offensive question. Needless to say, anything offensive should be avoided. As a representative of Reed, your interaction with the people at the site may affect the way they will receive other Reedies in our class.
When visiting an Islamic site, you should wear loose clothing that covers most of your body. Women should have a headscarf handy because they may be asked to cover their heads in order to enter the ritual-prayer area. Some Muslims do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex. As a general rule, it is a good idea to avoid initiating any sort of physical contact with members of the opposite sex during your visit. In many Muslim-majority societies, however, physical contact between members of the same sex is more prevalent than in American society (generally speaking). For example, I have had men whom I have just met grab my hand or arm to direct me to a place or put their hand on my leg briefly during conversations. These are signs of increased intimacy and trust. They should not be necessarily construed as sexual advances. I doubt, however, that you will experience anything like this because most American Muslims are familiar with the social customs of the United States.
Pay attention to your surroundings. All your senses should go to work in assessing the environment. How does the place look, smell, feel, etc.? What types of people attend the site? How old are they? What is their gender, socio-economic status, and ethnic background? To invoke an old cliché, remember that actions sometimes speak louder than words. In order to be able to observe all the activity around you, it is best not to take notes during a site visit. You could get more out of the experience if you observe and participate attentively. Take your notes immediately after the visit. Never record or take photos without prior permission from a leader at the site and from whomever you plan to record or photograph.
Try to learn as much as you can about the site you are visiting. What is its history? How does it define its aims and purpose? Do its members belong to a particular sect within Islam? Examine any brochures that might be around. Often the literature a site distributes helps answer some of these questions. Websites are also sometimes helpful.
Try to speak with people about Islam or the site. Prior to your visit, you may want to think of some specific questions you would like to ask people. Keep in mind, however, that they may have a busy schedule and thus not be receptive to your questions. You may have to approach a few people before you find someone who can speak with you. Since some people may not feel comfortable speaking about their personal faith with strangers, you may wish to begin your conversation by phrasing your questions in terms of Muslims in general rather than them in particular.
When it comes time to write your paper, you should keep in mind that during any site visit one is both an observer and a participant. For this reason, site-visit papers are usually personal. This does not mean that they are not analytical. Your analytical description of the site visit, should not only include what you observed others do and say but also what you personally experienced during your participation in the religious activity(ies). Good site-visit papers usually have a self-reflexive dimension that demonstrates their authors were aware of themselves observing—aware of the limitations and capacities they brought to the task.
Don't forget to thank your host(s) whenever appropriate.
Abu Bakr Islamic Center
1856 West Broadway
Eugene, OR 97402
Phone: (541) 485-0899
Bilal Mosque Association
4115 SW 160th Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97007
Phone: (503) 591-7233
website: www.bilalmasjid.com
Islamic Center of Portland (Shi'i)
4420 SW 110th Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: 503-526-9305
Website: www.icop.org
Islamic Society of Portland
9775 SW Pawnee Path
Tualatin, OR 97062
Phone: (206) 574-5216
Fax: (503) 692-0287
Masjed as-Sabr
10323 SW 43rd
Portland, OR 97219
Phone: (503) 293-6554
Website: www.assaber.com
Muslim Community Center Of Portland
3801 NE MLK Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: (503) 281-7691
Fax: (503) 282-9831
Portland Rizwan Mosque/ Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Inc
9925 SW 35th Avenue
Portland, OR 97219
Phone: (503) 246-0813
Islamic Society of SW Washington
7311 NE 43rd Avenue #B
Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: 360-694-7799
Contact for Sufi Gatherings
503-288-1444
webiste: www.geocities.com/reachnin/events.html (not all information on the site is up-to-date)