friday noon anecdote

I realized it as soon as I stepped foot out of my apartment on the way to pick up some ta'mayya sandwiches. The prayer was going off and it was noon on friday.  Although prayers go off five times a day, the Friday prayer at noon, the Ju'muah is obligatory for all men to perform. It had slipped my mind, that absolutely everything is closed during this time. As an outsider, it is incredible to witness the sense of community that comes about from this; every male leaves his apartment, and prays together in the mosque, or in the street. Blocks upon blocks are filled with lines of people listening to the sermon. As a whole, the aSalaam alaykum's (peace be with you) have a wonderful purpose, and the prayer is an excellent bind to keep oneself on the right track.