Source: sentinelandenterprise.com

FITCHBURG — Tucked away in a wedge-shaped building at the corners of Main and Mill streets on Friday, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worshipped, embraced and ate together as part of their celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the last day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The men and boys gathered in one part of the mosque while the women and girls were in another, separated by a cloth wall. They stayed separate during the entire celebration, including mealtime. Mehmud said they do not want people to become distracted by even the slightest touch of the other gender.

He led the 13 men and six boys in prayers. Most wore caps on their head to emulate the prophet Mohammed. Standing shoulder to shoulder, the men knelt with their foreheads touching the floor as one as they recited prayers.

Mehmud gave a sermon about the duties Muslims have to their fellow man. He advised people who do not know what to do with their lives to ‘Get busy fulfilling the needs of humanity” and Allah will provide a path for them in turn.

After the sermon, the men laughed together and took turns embracing one another, standing “heart to heart,” as Mehmud put it.

Young boys ran around in circles together, laughing and joking. Over lunch of rice, curry, naan and shepard’s pie, the young men made plans about the fantasy football league they are organizing and the cost-effectiveness of choosing go-karts or paintball… continue reading at  sentinelandenterprise.com