THE BROTHERHOOD Read Free

completely carried away by the eBay wave, becoming so addicted that he bought items simply for the challenge of outbidding other contenders. Electronic equipment – mostly stuff he didn’t need – lay all over his bedroom, such as a stun gun for forty-five dollars that had never been used.
    He didn’t mention his expedition to the mosque to his father or anyone else. He wasn’t even sure why he was going. As he drew near, the first thing he noticed was the minaret towering above the dome-shaped building: a tall, graceful spire stretching towards the moon with what seemed like an onion crowning its top. Large spotlights beamed upwards from the ground, highlighting the elongated white shaft. Their original purpose was as watchtowers, later evolving into a vantage point to summon worshippers to prayer by the muezzin , usually someone with good vocal cords and a favoured character.
    A few people were chatting outside while others slowly made their way inside the building. He spotted Rami talking to a clean-cut man with southern Germanic features, and his friend turned and smiled as Aazim approached them.
    ‘Ah, you made it, my friend, right on time. Let me introduce you to Sam Hammoud, the manager I was telling you about from the finance company.’
    The stranger scanned Aazim from top to toe. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aazim. I’ve heard so much about you from your friend here I feel no introductions are necessary.’
    ‘Likewise,’ Aazim replied, before they all exchanged pleasantries and shook hands.
    ‘I know your parents, Aazim. I’m sorry about your mother. She was highly respected by everyone and the tragedy shook all of us at Aust Global Fund.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘How is your father? I haven’t heard from him since he resigned.’
    ‘He’s doing fine,’ Aazim stated, politely indicating a sensitive topic. He noted Sam’s almost intimidating self-confidence; he was undoubtedly a leader, an ambitious man with piercing eyes that seemed to know the contents of one’s soul.
    After a few minutes Sam excused himself, promising to meet up with the two friends later so they could discuss the job vacancy.
    Aazim took the opportunity to reacquaint himself with his Muslim roots, and as they made their way into the mosque, he took in his surroundings. Taxis were parked outside the building while their drivers, who were of Pakistani, North African or Indian origin, dropped in for their daily prayer and a catch-up chat with friends. The mosque was the size of a suburban church and all the walls were whitewashed. A large entrance took them directly into the dome-shaped hall, which had a high ceiling and a grand chandelier in the middle.
    Upon entering, the first thing Rami did was to place a ten-dollar note in a donation box next to the entrance. ‘For good health,’ he explained, and Aazim followed suit.
    Splendid carpets with beautifully coloured patterns covered the floor. A number of worshippers crouched on their knees, bowing down in a prayer position with foreheads pressed to the floor. Some preferred a private space of their own while others gathered in groups and prayed in unison. Women were generally allowed in mosques to pray alongside their male counterparts but Aazim did not notice any. It felt to him like a men’s social club where worshippers hung out and talked among themselves. He’d expected to see people wearing white robes, turbans and a lot of facial hair. However, only a handful of worshippers were in such garb and most were dressed casually, maintaining trimmed moustaches or a modern goatee and sideburns.
    Assalamu alaikum , or peace be upon you, was the common form of greeting when one Muslim met another. The other person, in turn, would respond with wa alaikum assalam . And on you be peace.
    Aazim turned to Rami and said, ‘I’m surprised how many people here know Arabic.’
    ‘The greeting doesn’t come from any Islamic custom. It’s more of a cultural tradition used by Muslims