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Friday afternoon in Nazareth, Israel
As we walked back to our hostel with lunch, a hummus pita for me and my friend a falafel pita.
We passed by a park; yesterday, it was empty, and pigeons were eating bread someone had left for them to enjoy. Today we walk by, and it is full of Muslim men listening to the chanting prayer.
All were barefoot, all either sitting on their rug, some standing and bowing.
I read that women could attend, but in this particular session, I saw only men. We returned to our hostel, and the prayer continued for another 30 minutes.
Friday is the Muslim prayer day, also known as Jumah, or Friday prayer; the prayer starts at noon and lasts up to 45 minutes and is followed by another prayer immediately after that lasts around 10 minutes.
Friday is also a sacred day in Islamic tradition and is referred to as Al-Jumu’ah. Al-Jumu’ah in Arabic means the day of the congregation, and Friday blessings are special.
After the prayer was finished, the city went silent. The only sound I hear is my computer’s engine working double time and a few birds flying around.
A day for those who follow the Islamic religion to pray and spend time with their families.
