大象传媒

Good Morning

In Jamaican culture, it used to be that Fridays were seen as a semi-day of rest. People still worked, however, there was an air of relaxation, for example, it was not an intensive cooking day like the rest of the week and household chores were to a minimum if at all.

This was practised in my household growing up, so much so that when I was young I thought Fridays were named so because we would frequently have fried plantain, with whatever leftovers were sitting in the fridge, this saved my parents from having to cook.

Converting to Islam, Fridays have remained a special day. This is the day that Muslims gather to pray together. In Arabic, Friday is called Yomal-Jummah and it roughly translates to mean the day of gathering.

There is beauty in the recognition that if one is able to do so, it is important to take time out to gather with friends, family and community. There is power in the company and knowing that there are other people to support you if you should need it.

Whether it is a financial concern, or simply the days becoming shorter as winter creeps in, it is so easy to become isolated and to spend less time gathering with loved ones.

On this yomal Jummah I pray that we find the comfort of loved ones, and loved ones find comfort in us. If there are things that we need help with that we are too shy or embarrassed to say, may this shame leave us and we find the support and community that we need.

Ameen