In the name of Allah Jalla Jalaluhu (may His glory be exalted)
The Cambridge New Mosque's first sponsored walk begins!
Alhamdulilah the Summer Stroll 2011 was a success on many different levels and I will attempt to highlight some of these in this summary. From the initial organisation right the way through to participation in the walk, the walk was inspiring and transformative. Not only did it provide much needed visibility for the Cambridge New Mosque Project but it also touched the hearts of participants and volunteers alike; a blessing that really ignited the human ‘fitri’ (intuitive) sense of empathy and ethically perceiving things around us.
Organisation
It was a privilege and fun to be involved in organising a fund-raising walk for the new mosque and equally a privilege to work with a group of volunteers who were impeccably committed to the cause. Every member of the team completed their task well and to the best of their ability. Publicity, sponsorship and ‘introductory’ package, logistics, food and t-shirts among many other things were well executed as the leadership was clear and effective.
A stroll for all ages!
Stroll
The walk itself was more challenging than a stroll, but nonetheless manageable. 91 individuals including volunteers turned up on a bright Saturday morning keen and eager to start the walk. Shaykhs Abdal Hakim and Babikir both turned up well-equipped for the occasion although Shaykh Babikir might have come a tad ‘over-dressed’ for the occasion.
With the final checks done and everyone collecting food and t-shirts, the announcement was made to get everyone walking. The terrain was rough, parts very muddy which added to the physical exercise element of the stroll as shoes accumulated heaps of mud. Luckily mud only entertained us mainly in the first half of the walk, as second half got better with the sun gracing us with its warmth and heat. I recall Shaykh Babikir saying “Son, we should not be ewww-ing or ugggh-ing about the mud, disgusted we should be not as we were created from this dirt and we will go back to it…we are not better than the dirt”.
The walkers mingled and got up-close with both Shaykhs while reflecting on breath-taking scenes of Cambridge countryside. I walked past many lovely conversations that the walkers were having with the Shaykhs; talking about all sorts from the essence of the soul (Ruh), engaging our communities to the progress of the Cambridge New Mosque Project in terms of where things stand now and what lies ahead.
Lunch break amidst the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside
Lunch
At the half-way point we all gathered and prayed Dhuhr in nature. Calling for prayer and affirming the Tawhid (Oneness) of Allah in the countryside was deeply moving just as performing congregational prayers on the mud was a practical realisation of ‘from dirt we come and to it we shall return’. Shaykh Babikir taught us how to perform Tayamum (performing ablution with dirt when no water is around) and alhamdulilah it was educational for most and greatly appreciated.
After Dhuhr we heard from our esteemed Shaykhs as they addressed the inspiring topic “An individual who has influenced you in your life”.
Shaykh Abdal Hakim spoke about Yaman Dede, a Turkish religious leader whose poem on the Prophet (SAW) is one of the most recited in Turkey. Shaykh Abdal Hakim spoke about how Yaman embraced Islam and practiced it in secrecy for a decade or so at the time as he was a Church minister and had a devout Christian family. Yaman then later publicly professed his conversion and has gone onto influence many of the
people Shaykh Abdal Hakim loves and respects through his work, poetry and persona.
Shaykh Babikir spoke about Shaykh Muhammad al-Fatih, who was his teacher and spiritual guide. Shaykh Babikir touched upon how and why in his mid-teens he was desperately looking for a guide who embodied the Prophetic spirit and character to the highest level and how Shaykh Muhammad was befitting of the Prophetic model in every sphere of engagement. Shaykh Babikir emphasised how we all need spiritual guides
and we should find one that will help us find the right balance and conviction with regards to the inward reality and outward manifestation of our religion.
We were then surprised by way of a gift, to find out that Dhikr (remembrance of Allah & the Prophet SAW) was to be led by the Shaykhs. Glorifying His name in the open lands, like the Adhaan & Salat, was a simple illustration as to the reality of His Majesty transcending matter and space; the very essence of Tawhid.
The Shayukh speak about influential people in their lives
Ending
On the way back, I spoke to many more walkers than I had managed to in the first half. They were enjoying their time, making friendships and sharing experiences and backgrounds intimately with fellow brothers and sisters from across the UK. The smiles on their faces and the sincerity that shone was profound and overwhelming. I stood back at one point and almost felt like everything had paused around me as I reflected on the day so far. What I concluded was that despite the immensity of organising a walk to fund-raise for the new Mosque, despite the challenge and fun experienced making the walk happen, despite ensuring that all the walkers were catered for and looked after on the day…the one thing that, for me, trumped everything was seeing people smile and genuinely enjoy themselves. The walk brought forth the best of human consciousness; the rich sense of empathy (relating to one another). Away from the hustle and bustle and commitments of the post-modern world, people were able to contemplate through their interactions with nature and others. People seemed to be in a state of internal ease (well ease achieved through a 9-mile struggle), hearts were at peace and I believe it is due to pure intentions that were there for the sake of Allah.
In many ways the whole event was a Dhikr majlis (gathering) and I prayAllah rewards everyone who participated with goodness and beauty in this life and the next, ameen. May He through our efforts and the efforts of others make the Cambridge New Mosque Project a success,
Ameen.
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