The Big Smoke

4.15am I get up, ready for dawn prayer. We normally have that with a congregation at the mosque.

4.30am I usually put on my sports clothes and go jogging in Finsbury Park; it’s very quiet at that time.

5am Early morning, my mind is very fresh so I revise the Koran. I revise about 20 pages every day. I committed the Koran to memory when I was ten. Every Muslim is supposed to have a link with the Koran; they have to read it every day.

5.45am I do more reading, on philosophy or comparative religions.

7am My wife and children get up so we spend some time together.
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10am I spend time at the computer dealing with the affairs of the mosque and community activities. I often have to give presentations so I use this time to prepare these. Some days I may have an appointment with a governmental organisation such as the Probation Service.

12noon I come to the mosque to lead prayer at 1.30pm.

1.45pm I carry out more business at the mosque, checking my emails. People may be trying to arrange a visit. Last week the Mayor came to visit and, on the same day, a school group from Germany.

2pm I have pre-arranged activities. For instance, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have a circle for the women where I teach recitation of the Koran. I also help involve the youth in local activities. Some people think imams are very remote but I play football, I have a family and I go shopping like other people.

5pm I prepare for the afternoon prayer at 5.30pm.

5.45pm I go home for some rest.

9pm I return to the mosque for sunset prayer. After this, I give a lecture in English, Arabic or both. I may be explaining some sayings of the prophet or giving a commentary on the Koran.

10.30pm I lead evening prayer then go home to sleep. Prayer times change according to the time of year and the country you are in, so if I am going abroad I’ll check with the local Islamic centre for their prayer times.