Juma'a memories, Harar July 2007

It was Friday July 20, 2007, I got up early in the morning and since it was Jum'a as usual I said to myself prepare yourself for Juma'a prayer.  That is to take shower put on your best cloth and go about business until Jum'a prayer.  This was a Jum'a to be unique, since the place was Harar and the Jum'a day at Jami Mesjid is the most amazing and spiritual gathering of the Muslims in Harar.  After having breakfast, I and my friends strolled around town and at about 10:00a.m. I went to my cousin’s place in aratgna (4th) to take my shower.  After shower I put on my cloth and went straight to the entrance of Jegol where since the crowd was large because of the Millennium event the gate was closed for vehicles and so you can only walk down andegna Road to  Jami Mosque. 

As I approached the Mesjid which was wholly painted white and was shining, the sound of group of men reading tilawatil Quran was vibrating out of the Mesjid.  I was very excited and was eager to join the people in reading Quran.  Mashallah, as I entered the Mesjid you can feel the warmth and the iman filling the Mesjid with people mostly agian dressed in their white Jelabiyas or wearing the white Kofiya  on two sides of the minbar  reading Quran in one voice. There were on the first raw Awach  (Fathers of Harar) sitting reclining on the wall reading from a Quran spread on its sit and some of them were reading by memory.  Imagine being in one of the earliest and historically old Mesjid built in Harar almost, 1000 years before.  The pillars are amazing firm in their place holding the roof and ceiling. The carpet was wall to wall lined for every row. Friday Jum'a salat has been the same in the past for how long Allah Knows.

 After making my two rakha of tahiyatil Mesjid, I sat down  with the group on the left and was given Quran to read along with the people.   I started reading the Quran with the group and the jema reached a certain place in the quran, when they stopped and started making Salwat al Nabi giving out candies, while the other group on the right was continuing with their reading of Quran.   After Salwat al Nabi we again continued reading the Quran in one voice after which the time approached for Juma'a Salat the Khadims started collecting the Qurans.  The first Juma'a Azan followed with the mesjid filling with the muslim community.   After praying two sunnah rakahs, the Muazin again recited some verses from the Quran regarding Juma'a out load and informed the congregation of the adab of Juma prayer with the saying of the Prophet Mohammed (SAW), to keep silent when the Khutba is given.

The  Iman ascended the pulpit, he saluted the congregation with the salutation of Islam after which the Muazzin again made the final azzan.  Now what followed was a very unforgettable Khutaba by the Iman delivered first in Arabic and at the end  summarizing the message of the Khutba in four languages, that is Harari, Oromo, Somali and Amharic.  The occasion being the Harari Millennium and the gathering of Harari People at large from within Ethiopia and out side, the Khutba was based on how a community has to stick together and struggle  in order to survive as a nation being obedient to Allah the creator and nourisher.  The Iman mentioned the sacrifice the Harari Muslims along with their muslim brother from Oromo, Somali and Argoba who fought the Christians from Invasion and also the sacrifice at Chelenko.   That we should give thanks and praise to Allah who has made us witness to this occasion and to remember those who have passed before and also that we should be steadfast in our religion which is our foundation for our society to survive.  He further added that we should be thankful that Allah has again given us the chance to self rule under Federal Government, after the struggle of all nations and tribes living in Ethiopia against the Derg Dictator which confiscated lands and properties and killed many and also drove away many of the children of Harar and Ethiopia at large from their home.  The Jum'a prayer ended with two raka of Salat as usual and everyone got up to disperse and go about their business as instructed in the Glorious Quran. 

Now we know in Harar how people rush at around noon.  Of course Jum'a being a special day in the Muslim community at large in Harar as well every one was rushing to their home or where they can get the special meal being prepared and of course after which those who have Harara go about their business as well.  No time to loose, the rush hour started.  For me after exiting the Mesjid well I went to have lunch with my Friends at Say Park a very lovely and eye catching park past Aratagna and after lunch the unexpected happen  when we decided to head towards Aw-Hakim Seri....................  to be continued Inshallah.