Why pray in an abandoned mosque?

Keep in mind this was 2007 when the USA was saber rattling against Iran and calling it the “axis of evil”. Strong words for a country filled with some of the nicest people you will meet on your travels.

This mosque in Eastern Iran was huge. Not one of those fancy stone ones but a warehouse type one. Complete with massive air conditioners (Iranian style). The door was ajar, so I went in.

The story behind this photograph

Iran is a fascinating country to visit. It’s relatively cut off from the rest of the world. The people are highly educated but live under an oppressive government. I found access to just about everything was not a problem so long as one is respectful.

In this case I saw this huge old warehouse like mosque. Inside was a vast empty space with rays of sunlight beaming through light dust from the roof above. It was bright in the middle but everywhere else lay in shadow.

I circled around my unexpected find. There was nothing here other than a few dusty and broken tables. Air conditioning units were everywhere but equally caked in dust.

There were people nearby. I could here voices. The sounds of opening and closing doors. But nothing close by. Then she was there.

A lady hunched over in her black burka. I thought she was cowering in fright or ill health for a while. But then her head bowed down it became obvious she was praying.

Interestingly there was a small rack of religious items beside her. I wondered if she was vendor, a caretaker or just a woman of solitude. I left her in peace.

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