The Friday Sermon

It is not often that I blog about religion, or what my thoughts on religion for that matter. But I felt that I had to today. Why? Because I was a touch upset. I was upset with the Friday sermon today.

On Friday afternoons, I usually walk the 1.5 km from my clinic to a nearby mosque. And the the weather today was especially nice. The sun was shining brightly, but it was breezy. Perfect. I arrived there early enough to buy a glass of fresh coconut drinks at the stalls by the mosque car park. A long queue but well worth it. Especially in the sunshine.

Made my way into the mosque, and then it was time for the sermon. Before the athan, there were a few announcements made by the mosque committee. Essentially thanking the visitors for the money donated during the prayers especially on Fridays. What the money was used for - for good courses of course. Helping out new converts, helping out with deaths in the community etc. The gentleman also mentioned that some of it were used to service the mosque, which was fine. After all, the mosque was one of the unique ones, which is fully air-conditioned.

Then the sermon started. And it was about giving. In the latter part, the khatib - the gentleman giving the sermon - touched about how much one should give. But he overstepped the line when he insisted that all of us should strive to at least donate RM10 each - "duet merah supaya seining orang masjid nak kira" - so that counting the donation would be easy! Wow! You need more air-cond units? The congregation started looking at each other literally, and some were even shaking their heads!

For some reason, I was upset. I tended to give more that what was required, but now I felt that they had no rights to tell us how much to give. Is it a toll? Was kinda ironic especially when they mentioned about the air-conditioning as I never get to enter the prayer halls proper since the place were packed to the brim!

I just felt that the Mosque Committee were a touch insensitive. I know that they had a important role to play in the community, and I applaud them for that. But please don't insist on me paying for it, as if it is a fixed charge. Especially not after mentioning that the place is fully air-conditioned and all ……