A Fraction Of The Whole

It was a head-turner...'twas.

No one had ever heard of anything like it.

Or seen something quite of its nature.

They only knew of one way - the way our democratic media had shown them: the one of violence.

The weather was ideal. As if made better to enhance our spirits. Our strength. Our purpose. To make sure, no one stays in doubt, or stands at cross-roads. So that, we all act, at once. United.

It was a great day, today.

Queen Mary was left astounded. Scores of people, mostly men, congregated outside the main Queen's Building, to protest, in the most glorifying manner, ever...

But, what was their protest ever for?

To demand the access to Queen Mary's Multi-Faith Centre. A place where humans of all religions and race could come practice their beliefs and strengthen their faiths, independently. Without fear of oppression, or interruption of any kind.

But, there was a catch.

The Multi-Faith Centre had to close at dusk. And while that was not so much a problem for the students of most religions, the decision didn't go well with members of the Islamic Society.

Muslims pray five times a day. Hence, they required access to the room at all those five times. What's more, while the men could compromise their praying space, it was a matter of grave concern for the Muslim women, especially those who covered themselves in public. Inability to access the room after sunset meant they had to give up their prayer, at least while they were around campus for one reason or another.

So...

To demand back the right to use the Multi-Faith Centre at all necessary times, the Islamic Society called upon every Muslim brother and sister, to gather for a Friday sermon...

And was it a sight...or what.

In my three years at Queen Mary, I have never seen that many people come down to hear the Muazzin deliver his sermon.

There were security guards.

Photographers.

Video-men.

Students of other religious disciplines.

All watching in awe and amazement as, we Muslims, stood and sat, first, listening to the sermon...and then rose to pray together.

Passers-by stopped to watch.

Those going to their local mosques, joined this congregation, instead.

I, myself, an alumni, came down solely to attend it. To be a part of it. To feel proud.

Today shall go down in history as the day our Ummah (be it a fraction of the whole) came forth, united, to achieve one purpose.

Justice.

I am Muslim.

And today, more than ever, I was proud of it.