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Arab Culture/wearing shoes in mosques
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Question
I understand that it is necessary to remove your shoes when entering a mosque. I have a leg brace so that I cannot walk without my shoes on. What do I do?
Greetings Donald, and thanks for your question. This is a question that actually many Muslim congregations may face--sometimes with aging members, sometimes with situations such as yours, and I am also remembering mosques I have visited in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran, where many people had been badly injured during the war and wore full prosthesis.
I recommend, either ahead of time, or as you arrive, being honest and open about your situation. Chances are greatest that Muslim hospitality will be quickly offered and they will want to accommodate you. Sometimes, you will even be offered a chair, if you felt you were not able to sit on the floor or do the prostrate/ kneeling poses during prayer.
Or, just in case, you might consider something along the lines of a really large-sized pair of socks you could slip on over the shoes once you got inside. Again, explain your situtation; but I think they'll really just be glad you wanted to visit.
Good luck to you, and I hope this helps! Let me know if you discover anything additional that could be useful to others in this situation.
peace,
Le Anne
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Answers by Expert:
Le Anne Clausen
Expertise
I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.
Experience
I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East
Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004.
www.christian-muslim.net
www.seminaryaction.org
www.young-activist.blogspot.com
Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.
Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).
Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations
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