During this fasting month, I've been going for terawih prayers at the mosque near my house. (Though not nightly, I've been going more often than I ever have) Apart from reaping the benefits of performing these prayers, the gathering of Muslims at the mosque is also supposed to encourage a feeling of unity among us. However, I am disappointed to find that I haven't felt this sense of closeness with my fellow Muslims. At certain points after completing the prayers, we're supposed to turn to the person sitting to the left and right of us, extending our hands in 'salam'. Isn't it unfortunate that I've encountered some women who don't seem the least bit interested in extending their hands to me? And the ones who do, well, I don't exactly feel the love from them, either. Don't you think that they should also be able to manage a polite smile, at least in return for the one I offer? I suppose for me to ask that goes against the adage of 'when you give, don't expect something in return', but I'm just saying, look at the bigger picture. We've come to pray together, so why don't we be nice to each other? Look what's happened to me; I've come away from the prayers with these feelings of resentment. Certainly not something I'm proud of, but justifiable, no? And imagine this scenario: How are we to fight against those who oppress us if we can't treat each other well enough in our place of worship? Well. Maybe I'm taking this too far. Perhaps I'm being too idealistic. After all, first and foremost, performing terawih is supposed to help you gain God's forgiveness and earn you a place in heaven. But really, I just can't accept encountering all these unfriendly people. Or maybe it's just the people who go to the mosque near my house. I should just try going to another mosque.