We are fresh and feeling pretty good today. Everyone is clean and seems well rested. As we leave the At-Taqwa Masjid we notice that the grill is broken and that it could snap at any time. So, we hit the block to find a spot that could weld the grill back together. We found a place that could do that and as we were waiting Furuk notice that the sleeper couch was broken. Sherod ended up fixing it after about 2-3 hours and the grill took 4 hours to fix.
We met a guy that was funny as heck who worked construction. Also he was a Muslim. He told us that when he got laid off the other guy was crying. It was just funny the way he told it and his expressions. We’ve overcome two more obstacles today. I didn’t get a chance to video document anything because I didn’t have tapes. The day was frustrating somewhat, mainly because it put us behind a day . Actually that meant no free day in NY.
Day 14 10/28/2004
Ukilia Jones
We woke up at the At-Taqwa Masjid again. Now we are headed to the big Masjids on 96th St in Manhattan. After our arrival, the ev crew, without the crew chiefs, we discovered that we were not welcomed. Im not sure what that was about. It seemed strange though.
We waited a few blocks down for the crew chiefs to arrive. We haven’t head from them and 4 to 5 hrs have passed. Everyone is a little worried and hungry and upset. Different sides of everyone is starting to show more.
Finally Faruk and Bilal arrive. We are given a quick motivation speech to lift spirits but I don’t think it worked that well.
Now we’re at 113th st and St. Nicholas in Harlem. The Imam in charge welcomed us. Just as most everyone else has on the trip. Another warm place to sleep.
Bilal Abdullah 10/29/2004
These last couple of days have been hectic. Like for example Friday our crew was informed we would able to host iftah at 96th st Masjid. When we got there the crew was turned away by the staff who said that they would be embarrassed by the beautiful grill we have. A black 20 ft cooking machine that can hold at least two to three hundred pieces of chicken at a time. How dar they insult us in this fashion. Racism in Islam does it exist? Yes. The other reason though, was that the people of Manhattan would not like the smell of Bar-be-cue. Who are they kidding? You know I’m not aiming to point out all of the negative things that I have witnessed. Some positive things have been the pulling together of our crew after witnessing growing pains.
But Alhumdillah for the people that Allah has allowed us to accompany. Like Brother Sujaa, Ahmed, Abdul.wajid, Faruk, Bro Muhammad, hasan, Abdul Malik, UK – yes like United Kingdom himself and Sherod. Each person has a distinctive quality that is unique and necessary for this wheel to turn. May Allah Answer all our prayers, may he open for us the flood of his good fortune. May Allah remove our burdens that we carry May he secure our Families in his infinite love & mercy. May strengthing this Brother hood & the one present and the one that we left behind. May Allah allow us to return home successful so that our families will be relieved of stress. May Allah Allow us to come home with some physical and spiritual motivation for our families may allow them to embrace us with love and big smiles, May Allah Allow us to be beneficial to his creation and may Allah give us Allah through Following our prophet Muhammed
S.A.W.S Amen.
Bilal
Bismillah
Today took off smooth we didn’t have to rush at all and we’re able to stay ahead all day. What was interesting is how we had the community to get involved. We made a connection with the community today.
Sujaa Muhammed
Ahmed Sabree October 29, 2004
As I ride tonight from Harlem to Connecticut, I just want to get some rest. The days are going by faster than I can record them. I did a lot of traveling around New York today. I was in a train the whole time. So I didn’t see Time Square but I was under it. New York Traffic is the meanest that I have ever seen.
I spent the night in the M.I.B. (Masjid of Islamic Brotherhood ) last night. Today I went to ICNA Headquarters After talking to the brothers at ICNA, we headed back to Harlem. Today was the first night we fired up the grill since it was welded.
Ahmed Sabree October 30, 2004
I am in Connecticut now. The Masjid is in a nice neighborhood. There is a office type building next door to the masjid also. Today is a damp day with constant drizzle. I lead the fajr prayer today at a pilot rest stop.
The last day in New York was quite memorable. We had a great sahoor that was southern, all the way down to the hospitality. I saw a Native American Street Musician I the subway who was playing a Flute type instrument made of wood. On the way back to Harlem we saw little India and the NewYork skyline.
Sherod Emerson October 29, 2004
I woke up today and felt unexpectedly tired. I had to write up some of the journal entries but I kept passing out. Im still studying for the LSAT and not really getting things as well as I would like to. Gotta study harder.
As it would so happen though the place where we were supposed to cook today cancelled the event. I’m not sure exactly why but the word embarrassment came up in the conversation about us. Whatever the reason figure it will work out either way. But man there were a lot of influential people there I kinda wish we had been able to work out there. We are going to go to another Mosque in Harlem.
Sherod Emerson October 30, 2004
This other Mosque is cool. Breakfast was banging. Pancakes, Salmon, Cereal, ….. Situated in Harlem the people here are very personable and cool. I like the atmosphere as well as some other things here. We finally got to fire up the grill after a long hiatus.
Hassan is still sick from his spider bite. I don’t know why, but he refuses medical attention. It may be better this way though since New York is not a place you want to be receiving medical attention. I met this person there that was pretty cool. Somebody to talk to anyway. Wish we could stay longer but as it is we’ll be leaving tomorrow.
Muhammad Bey October 30, 2004
Friday morning after breakfast was all love minus one. “Bro. Jawwad”. He decided to go back to Atlanta. He had to prepare for his test to graduate. Can’t blame him. Even though the road has been rough, the rough is still going. Allah knows my love for my family, but this trip helped me to see far, The Ummah is my family as well. I also learned that in worrying about my family life my prescence here comes off negative. Well we are only human.
Today seems to be going smoothly in terms of the cooking time and community effort. Even the usual bickering was not present from our famous couple. Food was handed out to the neighborhood folk. A meal and Dawah with a smile sure is wonderful. Ma Allah accept our good deeds. Amen.
Muhammad Bey October 29, 2004
Thursday began a lot smoother. We packed the RV, packed it with chicken that the Amir stored in the Bakery’s freezer. Around 10:50 am we are headed to 96th and 3rd ave Masjid, while Faruq and Bilaal carried on for other business. The area is called Spanish Harlem. A title of a song famous in R&B years ago. We were there in the RV from 11:30 to 4:30. Its not much to report other than the fact that we need to have better communication. The Masjid we went to acted as if we never made arrangements. The Imam of responsible was rude and non-caring.
We made salat at the Magrib after breaking fast and left for the Masjid of International Brotherhood. Alhumdililah, the brothers are warm and welcoming. We set up camp and started cooking for the jamaat. Masha- Allah, that morning Sahur we had a real breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, grits, coffee. Etc.
Masha Allah
Written By: Road Show Crew
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