I didn’t feel judged, I felt at home.

My first memory of IMI was visiting a Jummah just before Ramadan in 2015. I took a long lunch from the place I was working at, got the tube to Bethnal Green and found this little space where I felt really safe, and welcome. I don’t know how to pray properly, or how to do wudu, and that’s always filled me with shame and made me avoid mosques for all of my adult life. I walked into the Jummah, there was a really warm atmosphere, I had some hummus, and snacks. I asked someone next to me if they’d show me how to do wudu and they smiled and said ‘of course’, I didn’t feel judged, or different. I felt at home. We all prayed together, and were encouraged to take it at our own pace, and do as little or as much as we wanted. It was this autonomy that really resonated with me.

I think my first memory of IMI was a very formative one for me and relationship with Islam and Allah. What do I want to see from IMI in the next five years? I just want to see more of IMI! More events, more jummahs, more socials over the next 5 years. I was also thinking about local IMIs. I don’t live in London, and travel in for IMI events (its worth it!) but I love the idea of having a local IMI. An IMI down the road, one I can visit for Jummah, or pop by during the week, and go to regularly. That would be dreamy. (Maybe thats a 10 year dream…?!)

Soofiya Andry
Graphic Designer and Artist

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