Source: religionnews.com
Muslims packed the prayer hall in one the city’s oldest mosques, the Muslim Community Center, for Friday prayers in Chicago, on Friday, March 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Noreen Nasir)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) – When Harris Zafar’s oldest child starts middle school in the fall, Zafar plans to sit down with the school administration for a talk.
“Here’s the deal,” Zafar said he’ll explain. “We’re Muslim and my son is going to have to leave early on Fridays. We’re going to need to have a conversation about how to make sure he doesn’t fall behind in class.”
Zafar, who works in software development in Portland, Ore., has long negotiated with his own employers for hours off on Fridays – longer lunch breaks, half-day schedules on that workday and extra hours other days – so he could attend Islam’s weekly prayer service. Known as Jummah, or the day of gathering, it is somewhat comparable to the Christian or Jewish Sabbath… read more at source.
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I think this is something very important for Muslims. The most holy day for us is Friday and it is important that we are able to go to Jummah prayer without having to worry about getting behind in work or school. Just like in Muslim countries, usually places are closed on Fridays because of Jummah and since there are so many Muslims around the world I think this is important
It’s great to see that a father takes into his own hands the proper education of this very important tenant of Islam for his son. It is by having honest conversations that we can find balance between the world in which we live and our commitment to God. It builds a solid foundation for the child and educates people around us. The fact that the father has been compensating in other ways during the week in order to have the opportunity to go offer his Jumma prayers on Friday’s is commendable. I pray that workplaces, schools or other authorities always show the open mindedness and understanding that religion deserves. Ameen.
To take time off for Jumma would be fine, the problem may be how far the Mosque is from your location. To take the whole Friday off is may be asking a bit too much. After all Muslims are not in the majority in Western countries. When I was working in Zurich I always managed to take time off by working a bit longer in the evening. (Well, sometimes I had completed all the work, so …?)
with some good will on all sides it should be possible (although in some jobs it might be difficult – then you might need to change jobs?)