After lunch, while some children put away lunch boxes, others gather in an assembly room for afternoon prayer, one of five times observant Muslims pray each day. A central tenet of Islam, the practice of the religion outlined by the prophet Mohammed in the seventh century, is submission to the will of God or Allah, as the Supreme Being is called in Arabic. A sign of external submission or self-discipline is arranging daily schedules around prayer times. Internal discipline includes refraining from gossip and other behavior that could harm others. In the assembly room, several students help teachers spread prayer rugs at an angle on the floor so their heads will bow east toward the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
Girls cover their heads with scarves.
Boys put on prayer hats crocheted with bright, geometric designs. While waiting for prayer to start, the children often watch a videotape from an educational series featuring Adam, a young, hip American Muslim. On one tape, Adam visits the world's major mosques. On another, he samples Jordanian foods. In a third, he explores the ancient city of Petra.