Here, the recitation concludes and the prayer begins. This shift marks a transition from the singular naming of prophets and sheikhs, in the form of call and response, to a more communal moment. The prayer-leader petitions God and the assembly responds, “Inshallah,” roughly translated, “God willing.” The petitions recorded here: to visit Mecca, to circle the Ka’aba, to drink the waters of Mecca’s holy springs.
Different women engage with the prayers at various intensities throughout the afternoon. These women, a couple of whom were lost in ecstasy not an hour previously, sit against the wall, on the rugs and cushions that line the room, nodding in time with the singing and daff, mouthing certain portions of the prayer.
The women are now seated. The women playing daff and tapl cluster around the Sheikha, seated not on the ground, but on a chair, while the worshippers assemble themselves roughly around. This begins a different phase of worship in which the woman voice prayers together, seated. The women chant, “Jamil, oh, Jamil,” which is a man’s name, but can also mean “beautiful,” a name for God.
Sheikha Sunbul gives a smile as she leads the woman to sit and transition between types of worship. Two women help another who has become wrapped up in her worship to find her place sitting. The throes of ecstasy remain with her even as she sits. The murmured prayers all in Arabic, the casual chatting is in Kurdish.
The woman, draped in her green and gold cloth, sits swaying in her chair as the women beside her circle and call out in prayer. The camera’s view this time shows a bit more of the women who are singing and moving through the prayers as a group. As well, circling through the camera’s viewpoint are a woman and her child, who hasn’t yet learned the motions.
The woman draped in green has pink nail polish, unusual in a religious setting for several reasons, and other markings on her hands. This shot is close enough to see her hands in decent detail.
Different singers take the lead at different times. Here, the woman playing the tapl begins to lead a prayer. The Sheikha drinks from the juice distributed as part of the mawlood, a special celebration in honor of the Prophet that can be called at various time throughout the year.
The female mullah holds in one hand turquoise prayer beads and in another a tissue. Her hands move with her words, opened palm upward: a habitual gesture Muslims make when praying or petitioning God. She names Sheikh Mohammed Jamil Khalisi.
