Simple measures to guard against pickpockets
Alexandria: As Egypt mark the last 10 days of Ramadan, it is customary for mosques to be filled with worshippers seeking divine guidance and mercy on what is called the night of power, known in Arabic as laylat El-Qadr. In Islamic tradition, the night of power is the night the Quran was revealed by God to the angels to be in turn sent to mankind through his Messenger.
The night of power is important to Muslims, as the angels are believed to descend from heaven. Among the blessings of the night, according to Quran, are that deeds performed that night are carry more weight than the deeds of 1,000 months and whoever prays during the night will have all their previous sins forgiven.
Anxious to partake in these blessings, people congregate at mosques from the nighttime prayer that begins around 7 p.m. and most stay until the dawn prayer that begins at around 4:45 a.m. Some choose to pray the night prayer and leave at around 9 p.m. and come back at around 1 a.m. to continue praying and supplicating.
When the major mosques are filled to above capacity, many worshipers spread prayer rugs in the garden area if the mosque has one or onto the surrounding streets. Major mosques, where the Quranic recitations of the imams are known to attract many worshipers such as Al-Qa ed Ibrahim in Alexandria or Al-Siddiq in Heliopolis, cordon off adjacent streets to accommodate worshippers.
Despite the elevated feeling of piety, there are people who view the congregations as lucrative opportunities for theft, often searching for an open bag and an owner engrossed in prayer.
Since it is almost impossible to catch a thief in such a large group of people, some security measures have been taken to limit the thefts. For example, the organizers of Al-Qa ed Ibrahim mosque search bags as the people leave the mosque. There is also an impromptu ‘mosque watch’ comprised of people standing on the sides monitoring for any illicit activity among the congregation. Since the prayer movements are performed in unison, it is easy to spot someone who may look fishy.
Not all mosques provide such services and it is up to the individual to watch his own belongings, something that distracts from prayer. There are, however, a few precautions that can limit the chance of your becoming a victim and allow you to worship and concentrate on your prayers without being distracted by the thought that someone might be lurking in the distance.
It is best to enter the mosque with as few personal belongings as possible so that you don’t make yourself a target.
If you must take a bag, choose one with a zipper and keep it closed at all times. Limit the contents to essentials: A bottle of water and candy or dates or a sandwich to sustain you between prayers. If you don t need your mobile phone, it is better to leave it at home. You will probably need some form of identification and a minimal amount of money. Take a copy of the Quran if you like to read during the breaks between the prayers.
Put your cell phone, money and ID in a place that is not visible to people around you in case you forget your bag open. If the bag has an inside pocket with a zipper, place these valuables in it. It helps if you keep the bag on your shoulder to the front at all times.
Bring a plastic bag with you to put your shoes in and keep it in front of you. Wear something that is easy to slip on and off and avoid expensive footwear in case it gets lost.
These simple measures can help you enjoy the peace and serenity that these nights have always brought to the Muslim community.
