From an outsider's eyes...

As I sat in the back of the mosque's woman's prayer room I could see what it was like for woman to pray on Friday's. Whether my presence affected the regularity of the ritual, I could not tell but everyone seemed undeterred by my presence.

Before I left, I asked Tuti for a. A long shirt (having come to hot Thailand I brought none) and b. A scarf I could borrow. Not knowing how to wrap a scarf myself--Tuti went to town and wrapped it for me. It looked beautiful, admittedly it was a little uncomfortable at first but I will not be dramatic and pretend like years of oppression were felt by wearing a scarf that was a bit 'snuggish' under my chin. In all honestly, I just don't wear scarfs. End of story--no oppression felt. In fact, as me and Tuti wore our scarves/ and she her gown, we received a bit of extra attention than before. Honestly, especially here were the Muslim is a minority the black scarf serves as a beacon--please look at me. Even when I couldn't feel more shy in my life wearing it.

At the mosque, there was a beautiful palatial like building with rounded towers of blue...that was the men's section. Aj. Pam was nice enough to show me it, I was not allowed inside which she told me was a fact that usually outraged American students she has brought to mosque before. I was not offended, it is tradition after all and I sort of expected that sort of thing. The woman's prayer room was on the side, smaller and more modestly decorated. It felt more special to me, the less razzle dazzle about a place the more deeper search one must do for a spiritual path within. All of the women were arriving, filing in slowly, and each would come in typical attire...some wearing scarves and others not. They would then wear a typical 'Malaysian' robe that covered them entirely...it sort of was partially a scarf on top and a gown that went down to their knees, usually a separate long wrap around skirt accompanied it. To see all of the women there in their time of submission to Allah, sitting there quietly with these flowing gowns was truly a sight. Others would be affronted by it and scared. But I found it simply beautiful.

The entire time, I spent sitting back...not participating but contemplating the meaning of the goings on. It was a good experience and I am glad that I went. It is nice to be able to go abroad to another country and not just explore new foods or customs but to be able to reach out and actively try different faiths.