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From: zama@midway.uchicago.edu (iftikhar uz zaman)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: prayer
Message-ID: <1991May20.170738.28742@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Date: 20 May 91 17:07:38 GMT
References: <1991May16.170858.27303@wpi.WPI.EDU>
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	I believe that is very important to pray within the
times prescribed for a prayer.  I too run into problems when,
say I am in a three hour seminar with asr or maghrib in the
middle.  On the other hand, I have yet to run into a situation
where if I explain my need to pray ahead of time, the people
haven't co-operated.  Thus, often my colleagues and professors
will agree to have their coffee break at a time convenient for
me and I can slip out and say my prayers.  When it has been
appropriate I have simply asked my professor persmission to pray
in their office.  At other times I simply find any convenient
place and pray there.  I have found it useful to find a place
where there is someone to whom I explain briefly "I need to
pray here, would it be all right with you?" (eg to a guard)
and start praying.  This is simply to avoid the remote possibility
of someone disturbing me in the midst of prayer--the guard
can answer any questions with a simple "he's praying..."

	Briefly, I think America, at least, is a very open
society.  People do all sorts of wierd things!  If I choose
to do something people don't understand at first sight, it's
usually not such a problem: with or without explanation.  In
the end, I also hope both for compassion from Allah and perhaps
a little extra ajr (recompense) for following his commands
despite somewhat adverse circumstances (eg fear of embarrassment).

				Iftikhar