Interview with the Imam
Current Imam: Saleh Elseedi (Nickname: Alabbadi)
Location: Masjid Abu Bakr Date: November 1, 2013
Q: Please tell us about the history of Masjid Abu Bakr.
A: There used to be a house on this property back in the 1980s. The house burned down in a fire and the owner of the house dedicated his plot of land to building a mosque. The home-owner is currently a senior member of this mosque. My brother, who is also an Imam, helped start the mosque in 1983. There have been four different Imams throughout the years, and I [Imam Elseedi] am the fourth.
Q: Does the name of the mosque have a special meaning?
A: Yes. Abu Bakr, also called Abdullah, was the second man of Islam (first was Muhammad). Abu Bakr was the first caliph.
Q: What denomination of Islam is Masjid Abu Bakr?
A: Sunni.
Q: Why is it encouraged for women to pray at home and for men to pray at the mosque?
A: Reward system: When women stay home, it is a more intimate, private connection with Allah, and in return get points. Men get points from going to the mosque.
Q: Why are there only males here?
A: We are still in the process of renovating an area for females. Mosques do not discriminate against women. If a woman wants to come in, no one is allowed to stop her. However, most women do not feel comfortable at a mosque with no female accommodations, because there is no female bathroom.
Q: What are the demographics of the mosque?
A: 1/3 Yemeni, 1/3 Pakistani, 1/3 Mixed including Egyptian and Palestinian
The Imam is Yemeni.
~150 people attend the mosque.
Q: Is Masjid Abu Bakr affiliated with any other mosques?
A: This mosque is affiliated with mosques from all across the Bay Area. Many of the mosques in the area collaborate to give the same sermon during the same week.
Q: What are some other activities that this mosque participates in?
A: There are many things that the members of this mosque do. There is a school for children on Saturday and Sunday to learn Arabic and to learn about Islam. The members also fundraise money that is donated to people in other countries. The mosque hosts marriages, funeral ceremonies and divorces.
Q: Speaking about divorce, what is Islam's attitude towards divorce? Attitude towards marriage?
A: Islamic thought on divorce: people are encouraged not to divorce, because that’s the equivalent of just giving the woman to another man. Also, marriage is not only for this life, but also for the afterlife, so it is important to stay with the woman you marry. You should stay with your wife and help take care of her.
Scenarios when a divorce is allowed: If the husband hits the wife or is not being a good Muslim or is not being a proper man of the family (does not work and bring food home). If the wife is not being a good Muslim.
More thoughts on the roles of men and women in households: men are expected to bring bread to the table. Women are expected to take care of the kids. However, women are still encouraged to pursue careers, except the earnings from the wife’s job can be just for herself and does not have to be spent on the whole family.
Q: Has this mosque ever faced discrimination or hate crimes?
A: I [Imam Elseedi] have been here for 14 years and not once has anything of the sort happened. :)
Q: Please tell us about your outfit
A: My hat is something that many Yemeni people wear. It is not just for Imams. One of my most important accessories is this small sword/dagger that I wear. It is a traditional accessory for many Yemeni males. The handle is called a Jambia and it is by far the most important part. The handle is made from the horn of a rhino and is a family heirloom. As the handle ages, it becomes more valuable. Mine is about 150 years old and my uncle gave it to me. I will hand it down to my son when he gets older. Because I am an Imam, I wear this accessory to my side.
Location: Masjid Abu Bakr Date: November 1, 2013
Q: Please tell us about the history of Masjid Abu Bakr.
A: There used to be a house on this property back in the 1980s. The house burned down in a fire and the owner of the house dedicated his plot of land to building a mosque. The home-owner is currently a senior member of this mosque. My brother, who is also an Imam, helped start the mosque in 1983. There have been four different Imams throughout the years, and I [Imam Elseedi] am the fourth.
Q: Does the name of the mosque have a special meaning?
A: Yes. Abu Bakr, also called Abdullah, was the second man of Islam (first was Muhammad). Abu Bakr was the first caliph.
Q: What denomination of Islam is Masjid Abu Bakr?
A: Sunni.
Q: Why is it encouraged for women to pray at home and for men to pray at the mosque?
A: Reward system: When women stay home, it is a more intimate, private connection with Allah, and in return get points. Men get points from going to the mosque.
Q: Why are there only males here?
A: We are still in the process of renovating an area for females. Mosques do not discriminate against women. If a woman wants to come in, no one is allowed to stop her. However, most women do not feel comfortable at a mosque with no female accommodations, because there is no female bathroom.
Q: What are the demographics of the mosque?
A: 1/3 Yemeni, 1/3 Pakistani, 1/3 Mixed including Egyptian and Palestinian
The Imam is Yemeni.
~150 people attend the mosque.
Q: Is Masjid Abu Bakr affiliated with any other mosques?
A: This mosque is affiliated with mosques from all across the Bay Area. Many of the mosques in the area collaborate to give the same sermon during the same week.
Q: What are some other activities that this mosque participates in?
A: There are many things that the members of this mosque do. There is a school for children on Saturday and Sunday to learn Arabic and to learn about Islam. The members also fundraise money that is donated to people in other countries. The mosque hosts marriages, funeral ceremonies and divorces.
Q: Speaking about divorce, what is Islam's attitude towards divorce? Attitude towards marriage?
A: Islamic thought on divorce: people are encouraged not to divorce, because that’s the equivalent of just giving the woman to another man. Also, marriage is not only for this life, but also for the afterlife, so it is important to stay with the woman you marry. You should stay with your wife and help take care of her.
Scenarios when a divorce is allowed: If the husband hits the wife or is not being a good Muslim or is not being a proper man of the family (does not work and bring food home). If the wife is not being a good Muslim.
More thoughts on the roles of men and women in households: men are expected to bring bread to the table. Women are expected to take care of the kids. However, women are still encouraged to pursue careers, except the earnings from the wife’s job can be just for herself and does not have to be spent on the whole family.
Q: Has this mosque ever faced discrimination or hate crimes?
A: I [Imam Elseedi] have been here for 14 years and not once has anything of the sort happened. :)
Q: Please tell us about your outfit
A: My hat is something that many Yemeni people wear. It is not just for Imams. One of my most important accessories is this small sword/dagger that I wear. It is a traditional accessory for many Yemeni males. The handle is called a Jambia and it is by far the most important part. The handle is made from the horn of a rhino and is a family heirloom. As the handle ages, it becomes more valuable. Mine is about 150 years old and my uncle gave it to me. I will hand it down to my son when he gets older. Because I am an Imam, I wear this accessory to my side.