By Alawiya Abdalla
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Asha
My official first day of work has been a breeze Alhamdulilah.
Not alot of people come here in the morning, apart from the staff that work in the Masjid.
There are so many of them SubhanAllah, but their offices are in the opposite direction of the Masjid. They all stay in a big building next to the entrance. It has black tinted windows, and it is so modern.
I mean I WAS inside the building before when Nahla interviewed me, but I never realized that there are so many OTHER employers that work for the Masjid!
I was so petrified that day, I didn't notice how big the place really was.
It has so many offices, and so many people working there. Not that I've been there again, but the people who work there pass by the Masjid every so often.
I have also been catching glimpses of who comes in and out of the building, part of being a security guard and all that.
Okay, not really but there is NOTHING to do all day apart from observing people. Oh, and I have to answer inquiries and direct people to whoever they want to talk to.
I know, we have a phone! I kept wondering how they managed before I came to work here, and the thought is still baffling to me!
There are four Imams in total, and people call to speak to them. That's why the idea that no one was here to pass on their queries to the Imams, scares me.
How many Muslims would have lost the chance to know a little bit more about Islam, and maybe embrace it as a result.
How many people on the verge of suicide, missed the chance to talk to an Imam in their time of despair.
The thought makes me shudder.
Apart from getting to find out about my colleagues, or should I even call them that?
None of them came over to introduce themselves, nor did they make ANY sort of acknowledgment to any of us.
I don't mind. In fact, I am not here to make friends with them. I am here to do my job to the best of my ability InshaAllah.
It still feels like I have been punched in my gut though, I can't describe why??
Perhaps I have made my expectations regarding working alongside my fellow muslims too high? I keep forgetting about them being human and all that.
I quickly push those thoughts out of my mind. This IS my first day working in the Masjid afterall. I mustn't be so quick to judge.
The rest of the day goes relatively easy Alhamdulilah. Apart from a couple of guys standing at the corner watching me__I cannot complain my job so far.
Plus, I've kept my head down reading the Quran the whole time. I KNOW! I have so much time now, and working here really keeps me focused on reading the Quran.
The atmosphere is filled with reminders of my deen. Everywhere I look, I am reminded that I am a muslim. How can you resist opening the Quran in this beautiful place.
I read and read through the pages, and I am surprised that I reached towards the end of Surat Al Baqarah!
2:218
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah – those expect the mercy of Allah. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Am I fighting in the cause of Allah? The concept is so tainted in the media, that we as Muslims forget the meaning of it.
Am I fighting in the cause of Allah?
I am. Yes, I am.
I am here, directing people to the right place.
A person might want to know more about Islam.
Another might be going through a life crisis moment.
I am doing something so simple, like directing them to the right Imam who deals with the specific issue they have.Yet, I feel so close to Allah.
Yes. I am fighting in the cause of Allah.
I gather my thoughts and I look at my watch, then I realize that it is time to pray Zuhur. I scan the area, and I see no sign of those guys.
I breathe a sigh of relief. I exist my booth, and lock it to go pray.
After I've finished praying in the ladies section, I make my way back to my booth.
I see the three guys waiting at the booth!
My heart starts beating so fast, and I contemplate whether I should go back there or not. I look out to see if Hamid is in his booth, and I sadly realize that he hasn't been back from his prayer yet.
Why am I even contemplating asking him for help!! I can do this!
I have three brothers! I can handle myself.
I walk to my booth confidently, feeling like a nervous wreck from the inside.
"How can I help you?" I ask them, as I take my seat in my booth.
"Asalamu Alykum sister, my friend here has just lost his sunglasses" Answers one of the guys, who leans in the booth wayyyy too close.
I step back with my chair, that's how uncomfortable I feel right now.
"Would you please step back, you are way leaning in way too close" That's right, I am not some damsel in distress.
He does as he is told, and their smiles disappear as they realize that I am not here to "play"
"You said your friend lost his sunglasses, how can I help?" I ask them formally.
"Well, they normally keep the lost items in those cupboards behind you. Would you mind looking for them in there?" He asks, and that slimy smile is back.
In fact, they are all smiling in the exact manner. I have a bad feeling about this, but this is my job and I have to do my job to the best of my ability.
I leave my chair, and I turn to locate the cupboard. Or should I say a multi drawer storage cabinet.
A big one actually, the ones that people in the offices use to store files.
I open the top one first, and I look for the missing glasses. I forgot to ask him to describe it for me, and I decide that I won't ask him and just see what I can find and then he can make his mind up if it belongs to him or not.
I just want to get rid of them.
I open the second drawer, and nothing.
The third and the fourth doesn't contain any glasses either.
I look at the fifth drawer, and I see that it is really low and I have to bend to open it.
That's when I hear their laughs, and I realize what they came here for!! My heart races so fast from the realization that they have been watching me this entire time!!
I feel like I'm about to throw up. I cannot believe this is happening right here at the Masjid! I cannot even turn around to face them!
My eyes starts stinging as they well up. Oh, please don't fall now! Mustn't let them see me like this.
That's when I hear it__Or him rather
Hamid
I cannot stay at my booth any longer, as I watch those guys laugh at something Asha is doing.
I leave my booth, lock it and I make my way there to find out what that is all about.
I see the guys watching Asha as she opens the drawers, and I instantly clock their intentions! I grab one of them from his collar, and drag him away from the booth
"You need to take your friends and leave the Masjid immediately, and never come back here do you understand?" I warn him, willing my fists not to take action.
"GET OFF ME! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??" He takes my hand off his collar, and his other friends turn around too.
"You need to take your friends and leave immediately mate, or I'm calling the police" I try my best not to punch him, even though a bruise would really go well with his personality.
"Call the police?" He asks mockingly.
"Harassment IS a crime in this country, and I cannot wait to grass you all up to the police" I take my walkie talkie out, and pretend that it is directly connected to the police station.
It is actually for the three of us to communicate.
Actually, I'm the only one has it. I do not see the need for it, if the other two do not have one!!
Great security mishap right there my friend!!
The three guys scramble on top of each other, as they make an undignified retreat. I watch them as they leave, and I turn around to check on Asha.
I see no one__
Where has she gone NOW??
Asha
I should be grateful__
I should go and thank him__
I know all of that__
But the only thing that I'm feeling right now is disgust. I feel really violated for some reason, and the idea of facing him is not appealing to me somehow.
I can just picture it
"You can thank me later" He will definitely marvel in the idea of me apologizing to him.
That's why I ran away from my booth as soon as I saw my chance. I went straight into the ladies area, and I completely ignored Suad as she kept calling my name.
Oh, she is so going to hate me!
I look for an exist door like I'm looking for my stolen dignity__
That's when I see it. And exist door right by the stairs, where it leads to the prayer room.
I open it, and the fresh air instantly hits my face.
That is all I needed. Fresh air, to make the tears stop in their tracks. I decide to go home immediately, because the thought of spending another day at the Masjid is out of the question.
Ahmed was right in being worried about me.
Mum was right.
Worst of all, HE was right in being worried about my safety!
I have failed miserably at this.
I walk towards the bus stop, and I let my tears run on my cheeks. I don't even care who sees me.
"THERE YOU ARE!!" Hamid and Suad yell in unison, as they spot me.
Oh come on 113 bus, I do NOT want to face them right now!
I so don't.
Could this day have gone worse than this????
Nope.
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Bismillah
Asha
My official first day of work has been a breeze Alhamdulilah.
Not alot of people come here in the morning, apart from the staff that work in the Masjid.
There are so many of them SubhanAllah, but their offices are in the opposite direction of the Masjid. They all stay in a big building next to the entrance. It has black tinted windows, and it is so modern.
I mean I WAS inside the building before when Nahla interviewed me, but I never realized that there are so many OTHER employers that work for the Masjid!
I was so petrified that day, I didn't notice how big the place really was.
It has so many offices, and so many people working there. Not that I've been there again, but the people who work there pass by the Masjid every so often.
I have also been catching glimpses of who comes in and out of the building, part of being a security guard and all that.
Okay, not really but there is NOTHING to do all day apart from observing people. Oh, and I have to answer inquiries and direct people to whoever they want to talk to.
I know, we have a phone! I kept wondering how they managed before I came to work here, and the thought is still baffling to me!
There are four Imams in total, and people call to speak to them. That's why the idea that no one was here to pass on their queries to the Imams, scares me.
How many Muslims would have lost the chance to know a little bit more about Islam, and maybe embrace it as a result.
How many people on the verge of suicide, missed the chance to talk to an Imam in their time of despair.
The thought makes me shudder.
Apart from getting to find out about my colleagues, or should I even call them that?
None of them came over to introduce themselves, nor did they make ANY sort of acknowledgment to any of us.
I don't mind. In fact, I am not here to make friends with them. I am here to do my job to the best of my ability InshaAllah.
It still feels like I have been punched in my gut though, I can't describe why??
Perhaps I have made my expectations regarding working alongside my fellow muslims too high? I keep forgetting about them being human and all that.
I quickly push those thoughts out of my mind. This IS my first day working in the Masjid afterall. I mustn't be so quick to judge.
The rest of the day goes relatively easy Alhamdulilah. Apart from a couple of guys standing at the corner watching me__I cannot complain my job so far.
Plus, I've kept my head down reading the Quran the whole time. I KNOW! I have so much time now, and working here really keeps me focused on reading the Quran.
The atmosphere is filled with reminders of my deen. Everywhere I look, I am reminded that I am a muslim. How can you resist opening the Quran in this beautiful place.
I read and read through the pages, and I am surprised that I reached towards the end of Surat Al Baqarah!
2:218
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah – those expect the mercy of Allah. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Am I fighting in the cause of Allah? The concept is so tainted in the media, that we as Muslims forget the meaning of it.
Am I fighting in the cause of Allah?
I am. Yes, I am.
I am here, directing people to the right place.
A person might want to know more about Islam.
Another might be going through a life crisis moment.
I am doing something so simple, like directing them to the right Imam who deals with the specific issue they have.Yet, I feel so close to Allah.
Yes. I am fighting in the cause of Allah.
I gather my thoughts and I look at my watch, then I realize that it is time to pray Zuhur. I scan the area, and I see no sign of those guys.
I breathe a sigh of relief. I exist my booth, and lock it to go pray.
After I've finished praying in the ladies section, I make my way back to my booth.
I see the three guys waiting at the booth!
My heart starts beating so fast, and I contemplate whether I should go back there or not. I look out to see if Hamid is in his booth, and I sadly realize that he hasn't been back from his prayer yet.
Why am I even contemplating asking him for help!! I can do this!
I have three brothers! I can handle myself.
I walk to my booth confidently, feeling like a nervous wreck from the inside.
"How can I help you?" I ask them, as I take my seat in my booth.
"Asalamu Alykum sister, my friend here has just lost his sunglasses" Answers one of the guys, who leans in the booth wayyyy too close.
I step back with my chair, that's how uncomfortable I feel right now.
"Would you please step back, you are way leaning in way too close" That's right, I am not some damsel in distress.
He does as he is told, and their smiles disappear as they realize that I am not here to "play"
"You said your friend lost his sunglasses, how can I help?" I ask them formally.
"Well, they normally keep the lost items in those cupboards behind you. Would you mind looking for them in there?" He asks, and that slimy smile is back.
In fact, they are all smiling in the exact manner. I have a bad feeling about this, but this is my job and I have to do my job to the best of my ability.
I leave my chair, and I turn to locate the cupboard. Or should I say a multi drawer storage cabinet.
A big one actually, the ones that people in the offices use to store files.
I open the top one first, and I look for the missing glasses. I forgot to ask him to describe it for me, and I decide that I won't ask him and just see what I can find and then he can make his mind up if it belongs to him or not.
I just want to get rid of them.
I open the second drawer, and nothing.
The third and the fourth doesn't contain any glasses either.
I look at the fifth drawer, and I see that it is really low and I have to bend to open it.
That's when I hear their laughs, and I realize what they came here for!! My heart races so fast from the realization that they have been watching me this entire time!!
I feel like I'm about to throw up. I cannot believe this is happening right here at the Masjid! I cannot even turn around to face them!
My eyes starts stinging as they well up. Oh, please don't fall now! Mustn't let them see me like this.
That's when I hear it__Or him rather
Hamid
I cannot stay at my booth any longer, as I watch those guys laugh at something Asha is doing.
I leave my booth, lock it and I make my way there to find out what that is all about.
I see the guys watching Asha as she opens the drawers, and I instantly clock their intentions! I grab one of them from his collar, and drag him away from the booth
"You need to take your friends and leave the Masjid immediately, and never come back here do you understand?" I warn him, willing my fists not to take action.
"GET OFF ME! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??" He takes my hand off his collar, and his other friends turn around too.
"You need to take your friends and leave immediately mate, or I'm calling the police" I try my best not to punch him, even though a bruise would really go well with his personality.
"Call the police?" He asks mockingly.
"Harassment IS a crime in this country, and I cannot wait to grass you all up to the police" I take my walkie talkie out, and pretend that it is directly connected to the police station.
It is actually for the three of us to communicate.
Actually, I'm the only one has it. I do not see the need for it, if the other two do not have one!!
Great security mishap right there my friend!!
The three guys scramble on top of each other, as they make an undignified retreat. I watch them as they leave, and I turn around to check on Asha.
I see no one__
Where has she gone NOW??
Asha
I should be grateful__
I should go and thank him__
I know all of that__
But the only thing that I'm feeling right now is disgust. I feel really violated for some reason, and the idea of facing him is not appealing to me somehow.
I can just picture it
"You can thank me later" He will definitely marvel in the idea of me apologizing to him.
That's why I ran away from my booth as soon as I saw my chance. I went straight into the ladies area, and I completely ignored Suad as she kept calling my name.
Oh, she is so going to hate me!
I look for an exist door like I'm looking for my stolen dignity__
That's when I see it. And exist door right by the stairs, where it leads to the prayer room.
I open it, and the fresh air instantly hits my face.
That is all I needed. Fresh air, to make the tears stop in their tracks. I decide to go home immediately, because the thought of spending another day at the Masjid is out of the question.
Ahmed was right in being worried about me.
Mum was right.
Worst of all, HE was right in being worried about my safety!
I have failed miserably at this.
I walk towards the bus stop, and I let my tears run on my cheeks. I don't even care who sees me.
"THERE YOU ARE!!" Hamid and Suad yell in unison, as they spot me.
Oh come on 113 bus, I do NOT want to face them right now!
I so don't.
Could this day have gone worse than this????
Nope.
______________________
I'd love to hear your views on my short story. Please post in the comments section below! :)
I'd love to hear your views on my short story. Please post in the comments section below! :)
32 comments:
:( poor girl! I hope she's not gonna quit because of that! And awww hamid is just the sweetest!!
:( i feel bad for Asha, I have tears :-( is she going to quit ?? I'd like to think so.... I love you Hamid, I officially heart you.
hamid <3...poor asha
aww poor asha :( am glad hamid was there to help :-). Cant wait to read the next chapter In sha Allah
:( that was really sad. i can imagine how horrifying that would feel maskeen. i hope she doesnt quit tho!!! and awwwwww hamid :D :D :D
Nooooooooooo!!!! Too short! Uggghhhhh! Those guys are disgusting!!! >:(
Nooooooooooo!!!! Too short! Uggghhhhh! Those guys are disgusting!!! >:(
Oh poor Asha....I'm not surprised there are people who completed disrespect the sanctity of the mosques and have disgusting twisted minds like that!!! I know I keep saying this with each new chapter but this is the best chapter and I won't change my mind.....oh well, I just might do that when the next one is up :S
Doesn't mean because ur at a holy place or even islamic event people will be saints! I have that idea in my head..think we all forget.It's Just reality..as in ur story! Ok now I'm left in suspense again for the next part! :D
Yea I really agree
Yea I really agree
They really are not nice aren't they? And poor Asha :( what she should do???
Oh Ashuni, I had tears writing it hunni :( it is so unfair for women to be treated unfairly__I'm glad she had Hamid defending her though :D
I know hun....so unfair :(
My dear Miski, I cannot wait to write it InshaAllah :D x
It is not a nice experience to be made to feel like a piece of meat I know :( I really hope she don't quit either ;)
They really are...And sadly, speaking from experience it happens everyday to girls who work :(
Exactly Fatma, exactly___The fact that it was in a Masjid :O that's what made it even more sad :(
ohh poor her i can imagine...i feel so sad :(...it was really nice story mashaAllah sweetie keep up the talent may Allah make it easier for you ameen
come on Asha!! i thought you are a strong girl..,
Jazakallah my sweet Anira__As ever you are so nice MashaAllah :D x
I guess sometimes we think we are strong, and it only shows when we are tested__Oh poor Asha :(
Does this really happen in a mosque??? mashaAllah...loved the chapter....
Was really excited when i realised Chapter 7 was up. its really sad to see stuffs like that happen around the masjid.
this chapter is really short, wen will chapter 8 be up?
nice one dear, baarakAllahu fii
Well, I think that she shouldn't have been taken to the men's area in the first place since she is a lady
ya ukhti dat was absolutely heart touching chapter...:( jazaakhallahu khair for dat:)
Oh sweety it does unfortunately :(
Jazakallah for taking the time to leave a lovely comment :D the chapters are normally out every Sunday InshaAllah :)
Wa Iyakum :D Jazakallah for taking the time to leave a comment :D
mashaAllah xxxx
Jazakallah my sweety Fatushati <3
Awwww.. Hate that feeling when our sister being 'abused' or harassed in what-so-ever-and-improper manner :(
BTW, awesome story! MashaAllah ;)
Gonna cont reading :D
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