Ramadan Kareem: live stream from Makkah, Saudi Arabia

A.C. for Taraweeh Please! A journal by MWA's Aishah Schwartz

To be honest? This is a totally impromptu post. I have three other member posts to publish, two other personal journal posts to finalize and another one burning my fingertips to get off onto my keyboard! But I said to myself, "This is a quickie." Well...we'll see about that. Here goes. [Don't laugh. I didn't get this published until July 29...ten days later!]

I'm a collector. I collect mobile numbers, names and receipts; oh, and plastic bottles.

It happened when I started visiting my favorite masjid for taraweeh prayers, that I noticed the women's prayer hall, which has two large air conditioning units, was so humid because the units were not being turned on in time for the prayers.

Uthman ibn Affan Masjid, Hurghada. ©Aishah Schwartz

One evening, I think it was after my July 13 visit for taraweeh prayers, oh, yes! I wrote about that! It was the evening I took photos from inside the men's prayer hall.

Anyways! It happened that the masjid's Imam, Sheikh Ahmed (who snapped that fabulous photo of me standing beside his recitation Quran), invited me for tea (with a few other people, of course), and so, I collected his mobile number. #SansMotive

What to do after taraweeh...with Aishah, ya never know!

Seriously, it's a large story...but I already have three journal entries in draft waiting to be finished, so photos will have to suffice. The good news is that as of Sunday my new favorite coffee shop will be serving suhoor! Woot! Woot!
(Click on images to view larger size)

Spotted outdoor taraweeh prayers, masha'Allah.
(Not all services finish at the same time.)

Ramadan 2013 (1434) Taraweeh Prayers (and more) Online

#Ramadan 2013 (1434)

In case some of you were interested (some may already know),

the Taraweeh prayers are available online for listening and/or downloading at a variety of locations.

#Taraweeh Prayers from #Makkah (check titles for versions w/English or French subtitles) #Ramadan

#TARAWEEH PRAYERS FROM #MECCA #Makkah & #MEDINA #Madinah

Saudi TV #Makkah & #Madinah - #Taraweeh Prayers and more

A healthy reminder for your soul from MWA's Aishah Schwartz

Sisters, Ramadan is a time of year when we are more social than normal, particularly when it comes to going to the masjid for taraweeh prayers. Please keep in mind to guard your tongues. The one you are hurting more than anyone with wrong words is: yourself. 

Aishah's Ramadan Journal: Taraweeh Day 4

Entrance to the masjid

It suddenly occurred to me that for this time of year, the evening weather has been exceptionally pleasant. Masha'Allah. I left my flat after iftar (today I had chicken!) and headed to my favorite masjid. When the taxi dropped me at the front entrance I was immediately struck by the serenity of the scene in front of me, so, of course, I had to snap a photo. <<<

I made my way upstairs to the women's prayer hall, above the main hall where the men gather for prayer, and found a front row (the only row) seat. Through the tinted window in front of me I could see the men shoulder-to-shoulder lined up in rows, one behind the other.

Aishah's taraweeh journey July 11, 2013

Masjid Al-Kawther

I finished iftar and anxiously prepared to go down and grab a taxi so I could pray taraweeh at Al-Kawther Masjid. It had been brought to my attention that this masjid had two things of interest to me; an imam whose recitation was beautiful, and two sections for women - one designated specifically for women with children. "Masha'Allah!" I thought to myself.

Ramadan day one in Egypt: Look what MWA's Aishah Schwartz found!

A Giant Quran!

Attending taraweeh prayers at Uthman Ibn Affan Masjid.

Tips for Ramadan Taraweeh (Tarawih) Prayers

We're only three days into Ramadan but look what MWA members have already been up to!

Ramadan 2012 - Announcements

• Ramadan Kareem from Muslimah Writers Alliance!
• Muslimah Writers Alliance Announces its 3rd Annual Adopt a Ramadan Buddy Campaign with a Twist!
• NEW! MWA member Farah Kinani's children's book on Ramadan 
• Gearing up for Ramadan 2012 - What better way than to quit smoking!

Ramadan 2012 - Photos
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW LARGER SIZE

• Aishah's Ramadan has finally commenced: the pizza has arrived :-)
• MWA's Aishah Schwartz shares an after iftar Ramadan day two photo essay
• MWA member Rasha El Khateeb and daughter Mimi create a Ramadan lantern
• Oatmeal; it does a body good - Aishah's suhoor Ramadan day two
• Ramadan the first day; Aishah's not so typical iftar
• MWA's Aishah Schwartz welcomes Ramadan with a suhoor snack; starting out light this year :-)
• Welcome Ramadan! (First sighting of traditional fanoos)
• Gearing up for Ramadan! Supplies delivered! Woot! Woot!

Ramadan 2012 - Poetry

• MWA's Nancy Biddle shares a poem 'Oh Ramadan! Day Two'
• MWA's Aishah Schwartz shares a few thoughts and a poem on the essence of Ramadan 

Ramadan 2012 - Journals

• MWA's Janette Grant hopes you'll be inspired and connect this Ramadan; learn how!
• MWA member Khulood Arendse enters her third Ramadan
• MWA's Farah Kinani shares a Ramadan resolution
• Green your Ramadan in your home and masjid

Established in 2006, MWA is an internationally-based collaboration of Muslim women writers and advocates working together to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions regarding members of the Muslim community and the Islamic faith.

MWA's Aishah Schwartz shares an after iftar Ramadan day two photo essay

Mosque

Women's prayer hall.

New friend at Taraweeh prayers, Sharouk.

Two friends wearing matching abayas.

A young woman reading Qu'ran.

Ramadan street decorating.

A little shopping. (I spy a cat...do you?)

Can't wait for it to chill!

Suhoor (Ramadan AM3); oatmeal, scrambled egg w/cheese, toast, watermelon, milk, anise tea & water.

MWA Member Welcomes Ramadan with Taraweeh at Islamic Da'wah Center

By Janette Grant for the Houston Islam Examiner
SOURCE

The Islamic holy month of fasting begins tomorrow, Monday August 1, 2011 with the start of Ramadan.

The first night of taraweeh starts tonight and the Islamic Da'wah Center will be holding Isha prayers at 9:45pm cst followed by taraweeh.

The Taraweeh prayers will be led by Qari Ahmad Siddiq and Iftar will be served daily.

For more information or to contact the Islamic Da'wah Center email info@islamicdawahcenter.org or visit www.islamicdawahcenter.org.