- English: Pillars inside the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque, 15th century) in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) At the majestic Jama Masjid (mosque) near Teen Diwarja in the Old City. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Mosque courtyard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
- The dome of the Jama Masjid. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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- Friday prayer at the Jama Masjid, Dehli (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Alphie,Gepetto and Susan got ready to visit the mosque.Gepetto was excited.He had already read about it.Waiting for the guide to show up was the hardest part.He was one of of those people who wanted to keep on moving.Susan his,Mom was the quiet and patient type.Alphie lucked out for having a wife like her.She was always very calm,she told Gepetto,”Now young man,it is not like the mosque is going to disappear,I am sure Ranu ,has to take care of few things before she can leave home. She told me before she left yesterday,her daughter wanted her to prepare a casserole for her friends,they were in a play together,the name of the play is “Marriage” I thought what an interesting name!’
“Oh, Hurray ,here she comes!” Gepetto was overjoyed to see her. I’ll ask her to teach me some more words,look Mom I have already written Qutub Minar,Aap ka naam kia hai,Oh,I forgot to ask her what the sentence means! “Gepetto ,you are going to drive the poor woman crazy.”No I won’t She told me she taught in Canada,she likes children very much.” ” Really, are you serious,she is so quiet,how did she handle those rambunctious kids?” Gepetto answered, ” I don’t know you can ask her,here she comes,she also told me to call her,Ranu,Isn’t it Cool, Mom!” Here she comes,”Hello everyone, did you have plenty of rest,what about you,Gepetto,is everyone ready to see the Jama Masjid?” “I am squealed Gepetto,” Gepetto ,remember what I told you?” “I know,Mom I will behave.” “. He is just a kid.” Ranu said, all right,the cab is waiting,let us take off!” ” a cab doesn’t take off,only a plane can!” “Absolutely, the way we are feeling right now,I suppose,Take Off ,sounds just about right,what do you think Susan?” “Yes it is true.”
The cab driver was getting impatient, “He yelled out,Juldi chaliye Sahib log.” “Ranu ,what did he say”,” he told us to hurry up and get into the cab.”
They were in the cab ready to go.Gepetto saw some old buildings on the way to the mosque.Finally they reached their destination.The family loved it.It was so beautiful.
Ranu started giving them a little history of the mosque. “It is commonly known as the Jama Masjid.It is the main mosque of Delhi.It was commissioned by Shah Jahan,who was also the builder of the famous,Taj Mahal.It is the largest mosque in India.By the way he was the emperor of India.
Jama Masjid refers to the weekly Friday Noon congregation prayer of Muslims.The court yard of the mosque can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers.The mosque also holds several relics in a closet which also includes an antique copy of the Qur’an which is written on deer skin.The court of the mosque can be reached from the east,north and south by three flights of steps,all built of red sandstone.The northern gate has 389 steps.The eastern has774 steps.These steps had food stalls,shops and street entertainers.In the morning the eastern side of the mosque was converted into a bazaar for poultry and birds.The roof of the mosque is covered with eight domes with repeated stripes of purple and white marble and red sandstone.Now that we know a bit of the history of the mosque,let us walk around and have a look.” After they completed their walk outside,Gepetto was very happy,he wanted to know if they could see the inside. “Yes you can.” Ranu said, “You have to take off your shoes.” They were happy to do that.They looked at everything and were pleased they could see this amazing historical building.On their way out,they collected their shoes and put them on.
Ranu got every ones attention,she told them she packed a lunch for them,Susan was delighted,she had forgotten this very important thing.They found a grand place and sat down.Lunch was unbelievable,Gepetto was glad, he told his Dad they needed a guide.After lunch Gepetto wanted to learn a few more words.While his parents decided to rest.They found a little spot nearby to learn some words.Gepetto first wanted to know the meaning of Aap ka naam kia hai.” Means, What is your name?,Let us break down the words in the sentence.Aap =you,naam=name,kia =what,hai=is.I will show you something funny,if you use the word order as a sentence and –for instance–you name what is? it does not make much sense,does it? your reply will be ,mera naam Gepetto hai. If you translate in this order,it will be, my name Gepetto is.This will sound hilarious..You shouldn’t get used to translation,because of the word order.Sorry, I took so much of your time explaining this.
Here are some urdu words which can be helpful: water= paani,food=khana,bread = roti, chicken=murghi.If the food is tasty,you say :yeh kana bohat mazaydaar hai;Translation: this food is very tasty.Again the word order will be confusing,if you follow the exact word for word translation.We will stop now.Are you bored?” ‘No I’m not’.”, we will learn some more Urdu words tomorrow,by the way,Do you know how to pronounce,Urdu? ‘Is it erdoo?’ “not really it is ‘oordoo’,you have to use the correct intonation.Next time you can ask the waiter.”
” I think your parents are ready to go back to the hotel.How do you feel so far,are you having fun?” ” Yes”, Gepetto said.
Another day was over,God only knows what tomorrow will bring.
On behalf of Alphie’s family, Khuda Hafiz,and Inshah Allah we will meet again tomorrow!
English: Jama Masjid in Old Delhi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sabethville 