Recently on assignment for Reuters Plus and the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth, I got the chance to experience what goes on in a mosque during the month of Ramadan.
The last I ever stepped foot into a mosque was when I was 13, back then as a young student during Eid al-Adha. So photographing a day's proceedings at a mosque was a refreshing change from the usual assignments I get.
The mosque that was identified by the client was Masjid Al-Mukminin. The mosque, while, modern, preserved several culturally important elements. Ustaz Fakhur, who was extremely helpful and patient with my no-knowledge, took me around and explained to me the different facets of the Islamic religion.
At the same time, Ustaz Fakhur also mentioned about our migrant worker friends that brought my respect for them to a whole new level. At Masjid Al-Mukminin, several of the volunteers were migrant workers. Even after a whole day of hard labour and fasting at the same time, these men would rather invest their precious rest time in volunteering. We, as locals, should really treasure these guys more.
That said, credits for this series pretty much go to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth for the trust on this assignment, and Ustaz Fakhur for all the help and knowledge. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims out there! :)
Muslim devotees perform ablution before taking part in prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
A muslim devotee prays at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslim devotees read the Quran at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Volunteers prepare meals for iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Volunteers prepare drinks for iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Volunteers prepare meals for iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
A volunteer (R) interacts with a member of the public at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
A Muslim devotee prays before iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims eat their iftar meals at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims eat their iftar meals at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin.