Darul Uloom Islamic Center

Jumaa khutba is always beautiful and useful

Mashallah, a former Catholic Church now reclaimed as a local masjid. The community at Darul Uloom has nothing but tremendous potential to be a leading masjid in the area, particularly for the Saint Paul inner city. As an immediate area resident, I cannot complain about having a masjid one block away from my house! I do however have some pointers about overall consistency, particularly on Fridays. Only one khutbah is performed at this masjid; there are no separate English or Arabic/Somali sessions. For a while, khutbahs had a weekly language rotation; one week the khutbah was performed in English the next in Arabic. It really seems the primary determining factor on "khutbah language delivery" is determined by which imam is available on any given week to facilitate the khutbah. Khutbahs have a tendency of going past the scheduled Friday prayer start time slated at 1:30 p.m. with the khutbah beginning at 1:00 p.m. There have been weeks where the prayer does not start until 1:40-1:45 p.m.! This is especially problematic for those of us who are not fortunate to have Fridays off from work. There are some of us with limited time to attend Friday prayers during extended lunch breaks. We shouldn't risk reprimand at our jobs in a non-Muslim majority society where we source our primary ability to support our families & pay zakat for the masjid. Here is the irony I personally find perplexing: At this masjid, we are constantly reminded each Friday on how donations are needed to support the masjid to prevent its closure, yet the same masjid struggles with "khutbah prayer service uniformity" by adhering to schedules in a universal language accessible to everyone regardless of cultural affiliation. How can we support our masjid if we risk getting reprimanded at our jobs for those of us that work Fridays because khutbah & prayer service schedules consistently go over the scheduled time while seemingly ignored at will? My combined suggestions? Prayer service should start at 1:00 p.m. & end at 1:30 p.m. sharp, no exceptions! If feasible, the masjid facilitators should consider organizing a second session in Arabic/Somali depending on the immediate needs of our community with the first session in English. Finally, we should consistently remind & inform our community members not to park in alleys or to obstruct local traffic during Friday prayer. Otherwise, this is & will continue to be my default go to masjid. I love this community & look forward to being part of its continued growth & evolution.

Mashallah, beautiful masjid. I wish more people came to pray here.

Mashallah, beautiful masjid. I wish more people came to pray here.

Formerly the RC Church of Mary Mother of Jesus (1922), its now the Mosque Mary Mother of Jesus. With congregation and school enrollment dwindling down the years this church eventually had to close. The even smaller but very brave band of Muslim congregants will find it hard to support these cavernous premises but they do so with good cheer, humor and very respectfully within their neighborhood. We joined them one mid-week night to break fast (ramadan) and stayed for prayers afterwards. The Imam is cheerful, friendly and a very tolerant soul. Our welcome was warm and heartfelt and the meal excellent. The tea was astoundingly good. Please visit in friendship soon to meet the people of your community. Does not matter your faith (we are not believers), at heart we are all the same.