The incomplete Masjid. - A. McGibbon
By Anthea McGibbon
Staff Reporter
ALBANY IN St. Mary is a small district, which is perhaps not well known to many Jamaicans. But soon it will be home to the largest mosque in the island.
The building, more accurately known as the Masjid As-Sabr which began in the late 1980s, is expected to be finished by next year. According to Imaan (leader) Abo-Yusuf Abdulwaahaab, this new place of worship is a great accomplishment for a community that sometimes meet at the play fields.
Back in the 1980s the original mosque was built from bamboos.
According to Abo-Yusuf, Muslims are the most active religious group, "a few [persons] are church of God, 1 per cent 7th-day and approximately 2 per cent are French Quakers".
A Muslim for 30 years, Abo-Yusuf was born in Albany to Christian parents. The first in his family to convert to Islam, his name was changed to reflect this. Both his names were changed, as in practice, Muslims believe surnames were given by slave owners to show ownership. The Christian name reflects the religious identity which for Muslims was a forced Christianity in early slavery days.
Between 1988-1994 Abo-Yusuf lived abroad, studying in Guyana, Suriname and Barbados. On his return he became the leader of the Masjid in Albany. According to him the membership of 50 he had left here dwindled to 20, then 12. But he says with sparked interest and renewed activity some 200 persons are now regular visitors, with some 50 of them being members. Friday sees the largest attendance, with persons (including members) travelling from Annotto Bay and the WhiteHall district.
Abo-Yusuf explains that all practices of Islam are followed. Muslims go to the mosque five times each day for prayer, from as early as 4:00 a.m. and up to 8:30 p.m.
Abo-Yusuf teaches basic Islam and conducts study circles during the week. On Sundays, he assists Sadique Muncey, a shaykh who visits from St. Catherine, to teach Islam and Arabic language.
The Muslims, according to Abo-Yusuf, are very involved in community service having built a toilet for a nearby church, carried out environmental-friendly projects, built roads and plant flowers.
The Muslims have also been responsible for coaching the community football team since 1997.
