Muslim Expression

Images from the Muslim world

Almaty, Kazakhstan
prayer beads at Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
worshipper at Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
worshipper at Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
outside the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
a Kazakh man prays at the entrance to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
blue dome at the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan
worshippers walk around the outside of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan touching the stone the entire way
an elderly Yawo man near Namwera, Malawi
Sheik Yusuf has just THE best stories. They don't often make a lot of sense to my western understandings, especially the one of meeting a magical creature once while on a bus ride to meet his future wife. He got deathly ill from the encounter many decades ago.
Yawo Girls near Namwera, Malawi prepare for prayers
This Yawo sheik, now deceased, was also a traditional healer. I only met him once, but he was so helpful to a friend of mine who was intent on learning all he could about Yawo worldview and belief.
Wells are commonly placed near a mosque in Africa. Many times the donors are Muslim agencies who also want to see help spread generously. Other times, it is just a convenient spot as it may be near the center of the village.
Yawo teen girls near Namwera, Malawi
Sheik Yusuf demonstrates the prayer posture
Sheik Yusuf shows his Quran with commentary in Chichewa, a national language of Malawi. If a Quran is in a language other than Arabic, it is considered a commentary rather than a translation because the words inevitably are altered to some degree in the translation process.
a village mosque in rural Malawi
Eid celebrations in rural Mozambique
a mosque on Mozambique Island, mostly attending by Makhua people
a girl runs past a mosque on Mozambique Island
narrow streets of Mozambique Island
Masjid is the Arabic word for 'mosque'. This is the Masjid Bilal on Mozambique Island.
Madrassa Ibrahimo on Mozambique Island
Indian Muslims from Malawi's AQSA Islamic charity demonstrate a digital Quran reader to Yawo Muslims near Mandimba, Mozambique
Yawo women in Chanika village, Mozambique are given sewing machines as a way to help earn some income
a religious leader near Mandimba, Mozambique
a Yawo sheik reads from the Quran in Mozambique
many Yawo Muslims love celebrating their faith with vigorous dancing, known locally as "syala"
Syalas last throughout the night. Leaders preach and share stories from the prophet Muhammed's life. As the dawn breaks, the crowds grow as dancing begins.
Syala leaders stand atop the crowd on hastily-constructed platforms 
sikili dancing is always vigorous and stirs up lots of dust
a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
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