Bismimg2
On the second day, Sunday, we were to arrive at approximately 7 to 7:30 to share the Azaan with the folks participating at the event.
I parked the car and began preparing my few things to bring across the street to the event. Half of us crossed and the other half returned back to grab some additional things from the cars.
Instantly, there were four police cars stopping those on the far side and three cars stopping us on our side from proceeding to the event was not very far away at all.
These were the Secret Service police on our side.
These were the Secret Service police on the other side.
They wanted all of our information, social security numbers, drivers licenses, names, etc. We had to wait for ‘The Suits’ to arrive :), and when they did they simply took more of our time with unneeded questioning. I must say this, if the Secret Service is wasting time with the Naksibendi order, it should make everyone feel a lot less safer.
While we waited we took some pictures. They didn’t want pictures taken, but they –unfortunately– got into the background while we took pictures of other things.
Bilaal and I
Yaseen and Bilal
The Patient Mureeds
They detained us for some time when finally we were allowed to attend the event.
Luqman Khwaja gave a good speech in response to this occurance and responding to the Jewish Rabbi who spoke as well.
Then the others in the event did some type of song which we provided some Tauheed to (it was probably in need of it). Mustafa enjoyed it and called out to do it again! 
Shaykh arrived after that and gave a very good sohbet about peace, terrorism, and the war-mongers.
After that we had some adventures with a Christian fundamentalist who was causing some problems for the event coordinators. We invited him to eat, gave some Dawah and wrapped up.
What a trip! I will have some good audio up shortly InshaAllah. I have to internalize this trip a bit and then I will post part 3.
September 19th, 2006 - 1:56 pm
salaamu ‘alykum sidi yursil,
i hope this question doesnt offend you.. but i really want to ask this: is the kufi that most of the mureeds wearing hard? i ask because i am having trouble finding a (hard)kufi to have my turban put on and take off without having to tie it every time i put on maintaining its shape.
jazakallahu khair,
touhid
September 19th, 2006 - 2:18 pm
walaikum-assalaam Sidi,
No offense, not at all!
I have two so far, one is soft and I also have to tie the turban nearly every day that I wear it unless I keep it very carefully.
Another one is a bit larger but is quite hard around the circle, it will maintain the shape for a long time easily.
The mureeds have some that are also hard and soft. I think it is only a matter of some cardboard type material within the cylinder portion.
The fez are also pretty good for turban wrapping. Many of the mureeds have fez’s as well.
One other suggestion is you could find a bit harder kufi and simply wear the turban cap on top of that.
September 19th, 2006 - 4:31 pm
great pictures, please do share with us what the shaykh said too, inshaAllah.
Looking forward to the other posts.
September 19th, 2006 - 11:46 pm
Mashallah, very timely and prompt posting!! The content is excellent. Thank you for the details.
September 20th, 2006 - 10:57 am
whats a fez sidi? and how is it different from a kufi?
are any of these fez, soft/hard kufis available locally (for purchase) that you can direct me to..
wasSalaam,
September 21st, 2006 - 6:05 am
as-salamu’alaikum touhid,
The fez is the red, cylinder cap which is described here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fez_(clothing)
I know a mureed who has contacts to get such things I will ask him to see if he has anything a bit harder for turban wrapping.