Bilingual Eighth Graders Visit Taipei Grand Mosque

by Ms. Janice C. Rossing,

Grade 8 Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher 

Islam and Muslims get a lot of bad press these days. After the September 11, 2000, suicide attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Bali, Indonesia, and other places, many of us live in fear and ignorance not only of terrorism, but of Islam and Muslims in general. Furthermore, the response and rhetoric of governments as well Islam's more traditional enemies since the Crusades have exacerbated those fears and played on our ignorance.

Some of us are trying to fill in the blanks. One positive spin-off from recent events is that sales of the Qu'ran (the Islamic Holy Book); biographies of Muhammad, the Prophet-Founder of Islam; and books on Islam have skyrocketed, especially in the West. Yet, far too many of us remain ignorant of not only the average Muslim and Islam, but also of the significant contributions made by the Islamic world to the progress of humanity. For example, how many of us know that well into the 1300s, for “more than five centuries [the Islamic civilization] not only led the world in science, but was the only portion of mankind actively engaged in the systematic pursuit of knowledge (1).“ Even beyond the Islamic political decline, ” ...science and education flourished under Muslim influence. No such activity characterized any other part of the contemporary world (2).”

To open our eyes to this blind spot in history and to facilitate our study, understanding, and respect of the daily life of Muslims, my the eighth-grade social studies class in the Bilingual Department visited the Grand Mosque in Taipei. Students share their experiences in excerpts from written reports. One essay explains the entire field trip. 

Since this article is for the whole NEHS world to see, I would like to commend the students of both 8A and 8B for their self-discipline, cooperation, and outstanding show of respect during this event. Thanks, guys and gals. You were awesome! 

EXCERPTS FROM STUDENT REPORTS

Outside the mosque

Blinding sun greeted us when         we came out of the mosque.	The elegant Grand Mosque as Hsin Shen S. Rd., in Taipei

When we arrive at the mosque, thoughts swarm through our minds as everyone pulls out large jackets to wear and girls cover their hair with colorful scarves. What would the Muslim tour guide look like? Was my hair completely covered? Would the people in the mosque stare at us? How many people would be in the mosque? How different would this experience be from what the western social studies textbook taught us?

As we slowly enter the building, we see a golden dome on top of the Arabian-styled building.

Tammy Hsu, 8A

From the outside, the mosque was indeed “grand.” The architecture was Arabic with a few domes near the roof. There was an elaborate gate outside, leading to an arch-like entrance into the mosque.

Stepping down from the bus, we all had to stop outside to do a little preparation. Due to Muslim traditions inside the mosque, we had to follow a dress code. Everyone was to wear loose fitting pants with a shirt or jacket covering the hip area and the back entirely. Girls had to wrap scarves around their hair, in order to completely cover it. Of course, jacket hoods did the trick as well. 

Karen Liang, 8B

The Taipei Grand Mosque is the largest Muslim building in all of Taiwan. Resplendent with graceful curves and columns, it makes a striking first impression. 

Brian Fan, 8B

Outside the mosque, there were many plants and trees. There was enough vegetation here for a miniature garden. There were a few cars and such, but the main eye attraction was the mosque. It was large, with many pillars and domes supporting spikes topped with crescent moons. The main entrance had three pillars supporting it, and a large set of doors. 

 Timothy Hwang, 8B

As I neared the Mosque, I could see that the architecture was just like those of mosques I had only seen in photos. 

Benjamin Hsu, 8A

Inside the mosque

The serene atmosphere in the mosque was eerily silent, and, for a moment, it felt as though time had come to a halt. A woman with a scarf around her head glided past, veiled in the shadows, conversing rapidly in a mysterious language with an elderly man as we made our way through the still building. Admiring the ornate windows and doorways, I sat beside my friends on the stools laid out for us in an empty room with whitewashed walls and tables lined up against the far side of the room. As we settled down, and the mutterings subsided, our tour guide (a man wearing a decorative hat) began explaining Islam to the assembled students.

Shirl Yang, 8B

Right after I stepped in the entrance room, I saw many paintings of Arabic Words and many clocks that were use for the Arabic times.

Brent Lee, 8B

After the girls' covered their hair with scarves, we went up the stairs and into the Grand Mosque. Surprisingly, the mosque was actually quite plain on the inside. The walls were blank and pained a flat color.

First, we went into a nice big room with chairs everywhere. As we sat, a local member of the mosque, who also happened to be our guide, talked about general topics of Islam.

Cliff Chen, 8B

Actually, the mosque was quite different from the picture in my imagination of countless people swathed beneath layers of exotic cloths, heads wrapped in turbans, bustling. Rather, I caught sight of people donned in typical clothing, an occasional scarf here or there, and the atmosphere was far from bustling with activity.

Shirl Yang, 8B

The tour guide and the tour

Once inside the mosque, a man wearing a flat little cap greeted us.“Salam Ailai Kum!”he said.“Salam Ailai Kum”means “peace upon you”in Arabic. And with that, our tour guide started explaining Islam to us.

Bernice Yen, 8B

A Taiwanese Muslim man wearing a white cap greets us with fluent English. Everyone expected someone with poor stuttering English, so his fluency earned our respect. Then he taught us some Arabic. Shukran means thank you, Allah is Arabic for God, and Qu'ran is the name of the Muslim bible....The staff welcomed us and made sure every student had a stool to sit upon. In return, both 8A and 8B were very respectful; we kept quiet when the guide was talking and asked questions politely. 

    Tour guide explains prayer steps

Tammy Hsu, 8A

Our tour guide showed us to a separate room and began talking about Muslims and their many rituals. Since we had already studied Muslims in western social studies, I didn't think that I would learn anything new, but I did, although the pronunciations of some terms where difficult. Then the tour guide showed us how to wash and prepare for prayer in a special room. There was quite a lot involved just to enter a room and pray. He said that almost everything in a Muslim's life had to do with Islam. From their five daily prayers to the way their toilets faced, there was a relationship. I found that pretty interesting, and I tried to imagine what my life would be as a Muslim.

Brian Fan,8B

As we sat, a local member of the mosque, who also happened to be our guide, talked about general topics of Islam. Some of the things we learnt were how to say hello in Arabic and some general information about Ramadan, the fasting time when Muslims don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset for 30 days.

Cliff Chen, 8B

When we entered the mosque, we were greeted by a group of friendly staff. The inside of the mosque did not look as we had expected. It was rather plain, with many doors leading to the other sections of the building. The staff led us into a little room for an oral lesson on Islam, where we were received by an English speaking guide who taught us some interesting facts about the religion. Good thing we studied about Islam in our W.S.S class, or else we would've had no idea what he was talking about! 

Karen Liang, 8B

Other interesting things we learned

....the mosque in Taipei was more informative than most museums. We probably wouldn't learn that much if we went to a museum that talked about Muslims, people who believe in Islam. We got to observe how some Muslims acted in the mosque, and if it wasn't as informative as our textbook, it was sure a lot more interesting. For example, we saw Muslims who wrapped their hair with scarves, the round-roofed Islamic buildings, and even a happy man standing in front of an air conditioner. From the guide, we also learned a lot. He showed us how to wash our faces before prayers, which included our ears, neck, face, and even the inside of our noses. He also chanted in Arabic the call for everyone to pray, and it sounded better than I thought it would. 

Albert Shih, 8A

What surprised me the most was the fact that it was Ramadan. I knew Ramadan would come sometime soon, but I had no idea it had already started then. 

Tammy Hsu, 8A

As we settled down, and the mutterings subsided, our tour guide (a man wearing a decorative hat) began explaining Islam to the assembled students. During his lecture, I learned a great many things about the Muslim culture and way of life. For example, I discovered that Taiwan contains a population of 60 thousand Muslims, a number that far exceeded my expectations. I also learned a new Islamic word....shukaran means “thank you,” not to mention that shawa is the Muslim New Year. The tour guide informed us of their prayer rituals (imagine having to pray five times a day!), as well as some of the central concepts of Islam. We learned that Ramadan, a holiday the Muslims celebrate during the ninth month in which they fast from sun up to sun down, was supposed to train the Muslims in self-discipline and allow them to feel sympathy for the poverty-stricken and starving. 

Shirl Yang, 8B

I remembered from class that the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar is Ramadan, which is the month Muslims are not allowed to have any bad behaviors, and have to fast from sun-up to sundown. The purpose of Ramadan is to help Muslims cherish what they have, as well as to make them focus on their spiritual lives by ignoring their physical one. Some things I learned I thought I knew before, but it turns out I only knew a part of it. Before I knew that Muslims had to pray a certain number of times a day, but later I learned that the number of times they have to pray varies from week to week. Other pieces of information I learned from the tour guide greatly surprised me, like the fact that Taiwan has a Muslim population of 60 thousand! Or that for every day a man doesn't fast, he has to pay money to a poor man!

Bernice Yen, 8B

Ritual washing

....our guide led us into the “washing room.” It is a Muslim tradition to wash your face, hand, feet, neck, ear, and nose before praying. In the washing room, there were faucets and chairs lined up in two rows, face-to-face. Some of us got the opportunity to experience what it was like to wash ourselves by a faucet. One thing for sure, it was not easy!

Karen Liang, 8B

Later on, the tour guide showed us to the place where they wash themselves before praying; they must wash every part that shows three times, and they have it to do it in a certain order. Everyone cracked up a bit when he put some water in his nose and then snorted it out again. Miss Rossing had told us that in older times, Muslims used to live longer than Europeans for exactly that reason: they washed themselves often. 

Bernice Yen, 8B

.... our tour guide led the group into a bathroom (labeled “men's”), where he demonstrated how Muslims are required to wash their nose, mouth and face in preparation for prayer. A few lucky students got to try it out for themselves! He then herded us to the doorway of a vast room, its walls covered with elaborately ornate stained-glass windows, and prayer mats spread across the wooden floor. The tour guide sang the announcement that informed Muslims of the prayer times, his clear voice vibrating across the motionless mosque...the “summoning” was in Arabic, and the elegant language was music to my ears.

Shirl Yang, 8B

The prayer room

Part of Muslim prayer         requires the believer to         bow on hands and knees.	Left clock shows time in Mecca, the holiest place for Muslims; Muslims pray five thmes daily..

Our last stop at the mosque was the prayer room. It was most likely the biggest room in the mosque, and it was amazingly beautiful. Our guide then taught us how Muslims pray. I have to admit, it was pretty amusing yet interesting to watch.

Cliff Chen, 8B

.... the guide led us to what was probably the most important part of the building- the praying room. The room was impressively large and high, with a beautiful dome at the top. There were paintings and Arabic writings on the wall. The room was bright, with rays of light pitching through the elegant dome. To show us how it should be done, our guide went down on his knees and recited prayers from the Qu'ran (Islamic bible) for us. Not in English, not in Chinese, but in Arabic! Of course, we didn't understand a word he was saying, but it was definitely a breath-capturing scene to hear such fascinating words being recited. Between the recitations, our guide did many different postures of bowing, standing, and kneeling. By the time he was done, we were all awed by the demonstration.

Karen Liang, 8B

Lasting impressions

I left the mosque feeling more well-informed on the Muslim culture and with a deeper understanding for another religion.

Brain Fan, 8B

Overall, I thought the trip to the mosque showed us many thins that we couldn't find out about just by reading. I also realized that Muslims aren't actually that different from non-Muslims. They even looked like everyday people that we see while walking to school. By going on field trips like this, we can interact, and even understand more thoroughly topics studied at school.

Albert Shih, 8A

Being inside the mosque was weird because I felt out of place, as I am not a Muslim and had never been to a mosque, but that was part of what made it interesting. My experience at the mosque was one of learning, of understanding, and if given the chance to go again, I would definitely accept. Last but not least, thanks to Miss Rossing and Mr. Chin for planning this field trip to help us better understand Islam, and to the tour guide for explaining things so thoroughly. Shuakran!

      Teacher Ms. Rossing with
                  lovely Muslim whmen

Bernice Yen, 8B

I think the mosque was very interesting. We learned many new things and we now have a greater appreciation for Islam.

Timothy Hwang, 8B

As we departed from the Grand Mosque, our heads were filled from our new experiences at the mosque and all we had learned. Of course, our heads emptied immediately when the teachers took us to the Taipei Zoo!

Tammy Hsu,8A

Everyone shuffled back onto the bus, regretful that this fun day was coming to an end. But as we drove toward Hsinchu, there was a feeling of content in the air, with our hearts filled with gratitude for being given the opportunity to have such a wonderful and memorable experience.

Karen Liang, 8B 

◎by William Chen, 8B Student

Nervous, the girls fingered their headscarves as Ms. Rossing inspected the guys clothing. Not knowing what to expect, the 8th graders stood waiting making sure they were at their best. Several began scribbling in the worksheet, writing wherever a flat surface was present. This was our “grand entrance”to the mosque.

As soon as we got off the bus, 8A+B fanned out across the sidewalk bordering Taipei Grand Mosque. Clothing checks were ran to make sure we looked respectful and neat, and the girls tied on headscarves that covered the entire hair. Having passed Ms. Rossing's inspection, I stood aside, admiring the mosque looming before us. The structure was as expected, squared building topped by rounded domes. There was a garden that surrounded the mosque, and a metal gate that surrounded the garden. I particularly noticed the golden crescent moons that topped the black gates, giving everything a cheery and yet mystical feel. I wrote my thoughts into the worksheet (Ms. Rossing: “Know ye that there is no such thing as finished in my class”). Soon, our Muslim guide walked out and welcomed us into the mosque grounds.

He was a plainly dressed Taiwanese, and at first glance I wouldn't have known of his Islamic religion. Then I noticed his hat. It was round and flat, smooth and devoid of protrusions. Reaching right short of his ears, it resembled a headband with a closed top. Green and covered with intricate designs, it was an unprecedented sight that displayed his religion.

Entering the mosque, we were instantly blocked out by noises coming outside. The mosque was empty and there were only a few people in it. In front of the entrance was the prayer room, while corridors to the sides lead off to various rooms. The right corridor was lined with a row of clocks, all set at different times and labelled with different words. The guide took us down this corridor first, and led us to an ordinary room. We took our seats, and he began explaining Islam. An interesting fact is all mosques are built facing Mecca, their holy city, while toilets can't be facing it.

We then proceeded back, taking the left corridor. We passed a stairway leading up labelled “Female Prayer Room” before arriving at the “wash place”. It was an ordinary-looking oversized washroom. In the center was a row of faucets flanked by seats. The guide sat down in front of a faucet, and told people interested in trying to sit down also. It was instantly filled up with eager students, and the rest stood watching. The guide began explaining about the Muslim wash before prayer. It involved cleaning the hands, ears, feet, and face, and rinsing the nose. He asked us to try, but we weren't too keen in washing our ears in front of the class. Finally, we were lead back to the prayer hall we first saw. 

Non-Muslims were prohibited entry, but we had a good view from the doorway. It was a massive chamber with a high, domed ceiling. The walls were decorated by rows of stained glass windows. In the front was a podium, and covering the floor were lines of padded mats. In all, it was awe-inspiring. The Muslim did not pray sitting on chairs, but rather on mats. The guide recited part of a Muslim prayer to us. It was musical and spoken in Arabic, and he sang/said it in a loud clear voice. Though we couldn't understand the words, the melody was calm and serene. The prayer was a new experience, and a great conclusion to our trip.

As we filed out of the Taipei Grand Mosque, everyone had something on his/ her mind. For some it was the sounds of the prayer, for others it was the grand sight of the prayer hall. Few were already thinking ahead to our upcoming zoo trip. As the bus moved off, I looked back and noted the golden crescent moons on the gates, glinting with the sun.

Reference (1) & (2)

Cobb, Stanwood, Islamic Contributions to Civilization, Avalon Press, Washington, D.C., 1963, p. vii.

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