Muslim MNers - need your views on this ... parenting question really

[ejt1764]

We are a Christian family, and one of our family friends (who lives and works in the Middle East) sent him a beautiful Muslim prayer mat for Christmas. This friend isn't Muslim himself - so I can't ask him!

DS (who's 5) wants to just put it on the floor in his room - I feel that's totally inappropriate, as it's intended to be used for religious purposes.

What's your take on this? In addition, how should I explain the significance of the prayer mat to DS?

Thanks all.

[briarrose]

Well as you aren't muslims I wouldn't feel that you have to use it for muslim prayer purposes, but I know what you mean about not wanting to use it for innaproprate things. Perhaps you could try and use it as a quiet corner mat. Tell him that it is meant for little muslim boys to sit on when they need to have some quiet time. Perhaps you could use it for quiet chats you have with him, maybe at the end of the day when you are catching up on things you have both done throughout the day. It would be an early introduction to spiritualism, and an introduction for other religions, you would also be teaching him to respect other faiths by using the mat in a respectful way.

[Spidermama]

I agree. Tell him it's a special mat for having quiet, thinking time.

[ejt1764]

Thanks for that - it'll be his quiet time mat then.