This is the first time I’ve ever set my foot in a mosque, and this one is a very special mosque to set foot in. The architecture on the outside is very cool and inside it is beautiful, spacious and light. Golden Arab scriptures decorate the walls, underneath your shoe-less feet the whole space holds a thick carpet, blue as sky. Women, I gathered, were actually not allowed in the big space but had to go to the balconies, but because they saw that I am a tourist, no one said anything to me.

(Also, I am not a woman, but I don’t blame them if they thought otherwise.)

My friend went out and waited for me, upset about the gender segregation. Me, I noticed nothing. I just let my sweet little self take in the place: the light gently falling in, the shapes of letters and stars, people hanging out, chatting, moving and praying quietly. Careless as a child.

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(This story told in pictures.)