The Scene that Astonishes or Scares some non-Muslims!

Muslim congregational prayer I public is generally viewed with a degree of apprehension. Regarding this issue, an English friend pointed out to me that in the UK and other European countries, Muslims' prayer in public places is considered an assertion of Islamic presence, which is felt as threatening: 'we are here and you will have to meet our demands.' English people believe that these acts are prompted by Muslim 'leaders' (the Islamists) who encourage Muslims to attack the majority culture and underscore their separateness rather than their integration into society. English people see group prayer in a public place as a "threat" since some of these 'leaders' aim to establish an Islamic state in the UK. This, of course, is the view in many other counties.

Obviously, the simple issue of congregational prayer in public is widely misunderstood. It is loaded with a political significance that may be far from what most Muslims who engage in congregational prayers at public places have in mind. Muslims have five obligatory prayers a day that they should not miss. For each prayer, there is a span of time till the next call for the prayer. However, Muslims are enjoined that unless there is an emergency, they should rush to perform the worship act at its set time. God Almighty says:

"O you who believe, when the call for prayer is made on Friday, hasten to the
remembrance of God, and leave aside [all] commerce. That is better for you,
should you know. And when the prayer is finished, disperse in the land and seek
God’s bounty, andremember God frequently, that perhaps you may flourish."
(Qur'an 62:9)

Though the reference here is just related to the Friday prayer, the injunction is understood to apply to all prayers. Delaying prayers, especially the dawn and afternoon prayer is disliked ("So woe to them who pray – those who are heedless of their prayers [delaying them from their appointed times]" Qur'an 107: 5). On the other hand, one prayer in congregation is worth 27 prayers alone. Hence, whenever, there is a chance of a congregational prayer, Muslims are keen to engage in it.

The Prophet, pbuh, said, "Wherever the time for the prayer comes upon you, perform the prayer, for all the earth is a place of worshipping for you" (Bukhari, Book 55: No. 636). In addition, the great merit of the congregational prayer makes it uncomfortable for a Muslim citizen living permanently in a Western country to give it up always out of "good sense" and making the "necessary accommodation".

Muslims should be discreet enough to get into the nearest mosque wherever there is one. However, when there is no mosque around, Westerners need not overload the act with more significance than it bears