Ramadan in the Big Apple: My 2025 islamic Journey to Manhattan, NYC

As the southbound train gently rolled into Brooklyn on the East Coast, looking out the window, you suddenly see those towering skyscrapers of Manhattan. At that moment, you can't help but exclaim, "We've made it to New York!" I quickly pulled out my phone and snapped a couple of shots. It's that feeling you get looking at the Lujiazui skyline from the Bund in Shanghai – it's like a calling card, as if it is the entire city. Of course, to truly appreciate the beauty of such urban grandeur, it's always better to keep your distance, to remain an observer.

Eventually, our train pulled into Penn Station, right in Midtown Manhattan. This, my friends, is the busiest train station in all of America, sitting near Times Square, with its entire concourse and waiting areas completely underground. Unlike back home, here there isn't just one rail company. The waiting areas are split into three sections – Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, and NJ Transit – each managed by their own company. Amtrak and NJ Transit are on the first basement level, while Long Island Rail Road is on the second basement level. We got off the train and made our way through the Moynihan Train Hall to street level. As an old-school NBA fan, I was absolutely stunned to realize that the building right above the station was Madison Square Garden, the home of the New York Knicks! There I was, wearing my Brooklyn Nets jacket, feeling just a tad out of place. Subhanallah, what a welcome!
 


Navigating the NYC Subway: A Leap of Faith

Our first day in New York happened to be a Monday, and we'd already planned to hit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was open. I stared at the complex subway map, finally picking a line that didn't require any transfers – we'd get off and just walk through Central Park to the Met. I'd heard stories before coming here: the New York subway runs 24/7, and there are no barriers between the platforms and the tracks, just like the old Shanghai Metro Line 3/4. Word on the street was that people waiting on the platforms always choose to stand against the wall because some crazy person might just push you onto the tracks. Others warned that the NYC subway reeked, rats scurried everywhere, and you'd see all sorts of eccentrically dressed characters, plus rumors of anti-Asian violence. It sounded like a no-go zone, a place to avoid at all costs, as if this bizarre underworld gathered all the evil of the city.
 


But honestly, the thing that chapped my hide the most was buying a subway ticket. You can't buy tickets from a human; you're stuck using these ancient-looking, grandpa-era ticket machines on the wall. Since we didn't have enough cash, my wife and I tried our credit cards a gazillion times, but it was a bust every time. We finally had to scrounge up some coins from a passerby to buy our tickets. Later, when I was venting about this to Wasim (the young brother I met in Flushing), he just chuckled and told me you could actually just tap your credit card directly on the turnstile. My actual experience riding the subway, however, felt perfectly normal: the same crowds, the same bumps and jostles. Every now and then, you'd see someone leaning against the door, their eyes closed, swaying precariously, looking like they were about to keel over onto you at any moment. May Allah protect us all.

Central Park: A Spiritual Oasis

After getting off the subway, we crossed the street to the west entrance of Central Park. Our plan was to cut through the park to reach the Met on the east side. This route turned out to be an absolute winner. Central Park is simply breathtaking; the city's usual hustle and bustle just stops cold here. It's crawling with people walking their dogs, jogging, and just strolling along. Central Park is massive, like a sharp sword plunged right into the heart of the city.
 


The park feels like a sanctuary for the soul, pulling you away from the heavy burden of work, if only for a short while, and healing the wounds within. The park is surrounded by a dense forest of skyscrapers, and behind them are the crowded streets. The roads separate the park from the buildings that rise abruptly from the ground, almost like a dividing line between reality and an ideal. Central Park has been around for over a hundred years, and it hasn't been developed into housing projects as the city grew. In fact, it's even gotten bigger. The city's planners clearly see it as a balance between work and leisure, a true ni'mah (blessing) for the residents.

Islamic Cultural Center of New York: A Thriving Ummah

Lately, my social media has been flooded with posts from my brothers and sisters in New York. They're back to performing Tarawih (Ramadan night prayers) in Times Square. They cordon off a rectangular area amidst the crowds, standing with their backs to that iconic, gigantic screen. Even with a light rain, the Imam leading the prayer recited the beautiful Quran into a microphone, his melodious voice cutting through the surrounding clamor. The dhul-jism (Muslims) behind him, their lips moving, quietly recited along with the Imam, completely undisturbed by the environment. By now, most New Yorkers probably don't even bat an eye at this sight. When you look at the number of mosques and the Muslim population, New York might just be considered the halal capital of America. Data from 2018 showed that over 750,000 Muslims lived in New York City, making it the city with the largest Muslim population in the U.S. Roughly 9% of New York City residents are Muslims, accounting for 22.3% of America's total Muslim population. And New York City boasts over 200 mosques, scattered in every corner of the metropolis. Masha'Allah, the Ummah is truly thriving here.
 
 
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The Islamic Cultural Center of New York: A Beacon of Faith

Perhaps it all began with the completion of the Islamic Cultural Center. In Manhattan, no other mosque stands out quite like the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, located between East 96th and 97th Streets in the Upper East Side. Due to the need to face the Kaaba for prayer, the entire building is angled about thirty degrees to the street. This Islamic Cultural Center is New York's first purpose-built mosque and one of the largest in the city. When this mosque, with its dome soaring 27 meters high and minaret reaching 40 meters, was completed, Islam seemed to suddenly burst onto the scene for New Yorkers. The dedication of this masjid felt like New York granting a new identity card to its Muslims, acknowledging and embracing their presence in the city. After its opening, Muslim culture, by the grace of Allah, truly became an integral part of this vibrant metropolis.
 


The ambitious plan to establish a large Islamic center in New York was first conceived in the late 1960s. The initial Islamic center operated on a small scale in a modest townhouse. Later, the board of directors envisioned a grander center to elevate the prestige of Islam and to become one of New York City's iconic landmarks. Eventually, a comprehensive project including a mosque, a school, a library, a museum, and an auditorium was planned. After years of delays, including fundraising from Muslim countries, lengthy tenant relocations, and the eventual demolition of existing structures on the site, construction of the Islamic Cultural Center finally began in October 1984. The mosque itself started construction on May 28, 1987, a day that perfectly coincided with the end of Ramadan. Construction was even further delayed during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the First Gulf War. Finally, the mosque officially opened its doors on April 15, 1991, which was the blessed day of Eid al-Fitr. Throughout this monumental process, over 46 Muslim nations contributed to the center's $17 million construction cost, with Kuwait alone donating a staggering two-thirds of the total. Truly, this center embodies the hopes of Muslims from nearly every country in the world; even in this place, famously known as the "center of the universe," Islam continues to flourish. Allahu Akbar!

This mosque just so happened to be near the museum we were visiting. We arrived after the Asr prayer time had passed, so we performed our salah individually. The constant stream of people coming and going was incredible; new prayer congregations were forming one after another. I even witnessed a truly fascinating sight: a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer, in full uniform, became a temporary Imam, leading a few Muslim brothers behind him in prayer. In that moment, there was no law enforcement and no civilians, only ikhwah (brothers) bowing together towards the Kaaba. Near the entrance of the mosque, there was also a small shop selling books and various Muslim essentials. Before leaving, I bought a black prayer cap, and my wife picked up a box of dates. After settling the bill, we were about to head out when the shop owner suddenly called us back. She must have gathered from our brief chat that we were tourists. She then gave us some extra dates, explaining they were from Madinah, and also handed us two bottles of water. Mind you, we had only spent twelve bucks in total, and the items the kind sister gave us were easily worth at least five dollars. May Allah bless her for her generosity!
 


It was a bit of a bummer, though, that only the first floor of this mosque was open during our visit. The doors to the second and third floors were firmly locked, so we couldn't explore them fully.

Manhattan's "Rest Stops" for the Faithful

Aside from a handful of mosques whose unique architecture immediately gives them away, most mosques in Manhattan are incognito from the outside, blending seamlessly with office buildings and townhouses. You often have to get close and rely on the name of the mosque on the doorplate and the Muslims going in and out to confirm its identity.

More often than not, a mosque in Manhattan is like a mini "Central Park" for Muslims. The peaceful prayer hall inside is a world apart from the bustling environment outside the door. Muslims come and go, entering through an inconspicuous little door, quickly heading to the wudu facilities in the basement to perform their ablution. After that, they quietly perform their salah, and if they're tired, they lean against a wall for a quick rest. When it's time for work or if they have an urgent matter, they quickly leave. Traveling during Ramadan can be a bit tiring, so I gave up on my specific plans to visit every mosque. Instead, I just started treating them as places to rest. If I felt weary, I'd find a mosque, step inside for a breather, and then continue my journey. Alhamdulillah for these havens.

The Islamic Society of Mid Manhattan on 55th Street (154 E 55th St, New York) is a prime example of such a mosque. It doesn't have a grand entrance or stand alone; it looks just like the surrounding apartment buildings, accessed through a small door. Braving the rainy weather, we followed the directions from a fellow Muslim brother outside and easily entered the mosque. After walking in, you go down a long corridor, almost like a wormhole, and suddenly you've transported from the chaos of Manhattan to the quiet peace of home.
 


The wudu area wasn't as clean as it could be, probably due to the high foot traffic and the rainy weather, making the floor and restrooms a bit dirty. This might indicate a lack of regular upkeep, but it definitely highlighted the significant number of people using this mosque. After performing wudu, I headed straight to the men's prayer hall. As I entered, a Black brother was standing by the door, and I greeted him with a salam. His response was quite animated: his arm went halfway up, then swung down in a semicircle, firmly grasping my hand. With a rhythmic cadence, he repeatedly said, "Welcome, brother," "How are you doing?" and "You're doing great!" (likely approving of my enthusiastic response to him). After prayer, I leaned against the wall, and people kept greeting me. Compared to other places, New Yorkers are pretty well-informed. Folks elsewhere had no clue where I was from, but New York Muslims asked me more than once, "Are you Indonesian?"
 


NYC's Halal Food Carts: A Culinary Blessing

Speaking of halal food in New York, you simply can't skip the halal food carts – they're a huge part of New York's halal culinary scene. If you instinctively search "halal" on your map, most of the results you'll get are these food carts. These carts usually have fixed locations, and the map will show their spot along with customer reviews. The types of food they sell are pretty similar across the board: meat platters, rice bowls, hot dogs, and falafel. Some even have fried chicken if they're feeling a bit more adventurous.
 


On my first evening in Flushing, I broke my fast (iftar) with food from a cart. I ordered chicken over rice. The turmeric-colored long-grain rice was piled high with tender chicken, topped with a generous squeeze of white sauce and hot sauce. Even before I took a bite, my mouth was watering! And for a heaping container of that deliciousness, it only cost me $7. I immediately ordered another one to take for my suhoor (pre-dawn meal), grabbed a drink, and the total was $15. No exaggeration, this might just be the cheapest meal you can get in New York that's worth its salt. Of course, carts in Manhattan might charge a little more, but still usually under $10. Alhamdulillah for these blessings!
 
A Test of Faith in Manhattan: Halal Carts and Humble Mosques

Fasting while walking through the bustling streets of Manhattan is a massive test of sabr (patience). Despite my rumbling stomach, the tempting aroma from those halal food carts would waft into my nostrils every now and then. You know for sure that scent is halal, and sometimes you can't help but take an extra sniff or two, but there's nothing to do but sigh and hurry past. This temptation and the urge to buy don't just vanish. When you think you've missed out on a delicious meal, you turn the next corner and lo and behold, you find another cart. Look further down, and there's yet another halal food cart at the next intersection. By the time Iftar (breaking of fast) rolls around, you've probably passed a good dozen or so carts, and at that point, you're so famished you don't even want to explore which one has the most variety or the best taste.

Masjid Awliya of Allah: A Hidden Gem

As Iftar time drew near, my wife and I were walking around Times Square, passing one food cart after another, our eyes glued to the prize. I suggested we find a masjid to settle down and rest for a bit, then grab our food once it was time to break our fast, and head to the train station to go home. So, I searched and found this mosque: Masjid Awliya of Allah (Friends of Allah Mosque, located at 327 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018). It's probably the closest mosque to Times Square. We made a beeline for it, and as soon as we got to the entrance, my wife stared in disbelief and asked, "Are you sure this is a mosque?"

And honestly, at first glance, you'd think you'd stumbled into the Halal Food Cart Association. The entrance, as marked on the map, led into a huge warehouse chock-full of food carts waiting to be stocked up for their day's business. We asked someone inside, and he confirmed it was indeed the masjid. Then, he led us on a winding path, weaving through rows of food carts until we finally reached a staircase. Lo and behold! The actual masjid entrance was hidden behind this dense array of food trucks! We ascended to the second floor, where we found a small prayer room. Even with such limited space, they had a dedicated area for the sisters, masha'Allah. I quickly scanned the people resting; by their attire, most seemed to be delivery drivers or food cart vendors. This place had clearly become their perfect refuge from the elements, a spot to enjoy a moment of tranquility amidst their busy lives. The only downside was that the wudu (ablution) area in this mosque had no partitions, just a large communal water basin. It wasn't very convenient for the sisters to perform wudu, so we decided to head out.

The Ever-Present Mercy (of Allah)

Back on the street, my wife and I were beat, our feet killing us. I pointed to the map and said, "There's another masjid not too far. Let's make a dash for it." At this point, I was pinning all my hopes on that one, praying it would be a more "conventional" masjid, a place where I could charge my phone and my body could get a quick recharge too. Our train home was less than two hours away, so time was of the essence. We decided to grab some food from the "Tianshan" restaurant we'd just passed, saving it for tomorrow's suhoor (pre-dawn meal).

Walking up to the restaurant, we saw the menu taped to the window, filled with familiar dishes: "wontons," "roasted samosa-like buns," "stir-fried noodles with meat." We walked in, our hearts singing, thinking this must be authentic Chinese cuisine. At the ordering counter, my wife looked at a familiar-looking young man and started, "Hey, so, can I have a—" I cut in, blurting out, "Wontons!" The young man replied in Chinese, "Sorry, no wontons." We both looked at each other and shared a laugh. He asked about our situation, and we, in turn, asked about his. This young man, who had been in the U.S. for six years, told us his parents had also moved to New York. Hearing that, the slight tension in my brow eased a bit, as if a worry had lifted off my shoulders. I said, "That's the real deal." The young man, seeing we weren't planning to sit down, asked, "Are you also fasting?" Fearing he might misunderstand, I quickly said, "Yes, that's right! I'm taking it to go for suhoor." The young man wasn't questioning us; he just wanted to give us some dates, and with that, he started to head to the kitchen. We quickly stopped him, explaining that we already had plenty of dates, both ones we'd bought and some given to us for free at the masjid. But he insisted on giving us more. When we finally got our takeout bag, we saw a box of dates placed right next to our roasted buns. We thanked him profusely, saying, "Jazak Allah Khayr!" The young man waved us goodbye, calling out, "Come back anytime!"
 



Masjid al-Rahman: A True Sanctuary

With our suhoor taken care of, we made a beeline for our next masjid: Masjid al-Rahman (The Mosque of The Most Merciful). As we hurried along, I could already see men in kufis and women in hijabs gathered at the entrance from a distance. I told my wife, "Do you see that group of Muslim brothers and sisters up ahead? This time, we definitely haven't come to the wrong place!" The mosque had two roll-up doors, one covering the prayer hall and the other serving as the entrance. After confirming there was a designated women's prayer area and a women's wudu station, we couldn't wait to go inside and recharge.

After praying, I took a moment to truly examine this masjid. It wasn't small at all. As Iftar time drew near, the number of people was substantial. There were small groups chatting by the walls, and others reciting Quran to a teacher. Through their official website, I learned that the jama'ah (congregation) in this area had been gathering and renting places for Jumu'ah since the 1990s, enduring three relocations before finally settling here. The first floor was the main prayer hall, and the basement held another surprise. The masjid had covered the entire basement with tablecloths, waiting for those breaking their fast to arrive.
 


I leaned against a pillar, charging my phone and resting. A study circle behind me caught my interest. Some young men were sitting around an elder, who was clearly imparting ilm (knowledge). About twenty minutes passed, and I figured my phone was charged enough. I quickly unplugged it and discreetly slipped into a spot next to a brother, not wanting to miss anything. I whispered to him, "Is this a halaqah (study circle) for new Muslims?" The brother whispered back, explaining that it covered basic Islamic knowledge, Quranic studies, and more. Our whispering must have disturbed the elder, as he paused his talk and reminded us to be quiet. We awkwardly sat upright in our places.

The Wisdom of Obligation Versus Tradition

When I joined, it was exactly during the Q&A session. A brother across from me, with the trendiest dreadlocks, was casually leaning against the wall, legs stretched out. Suddenly, the elder turned to him and asked gravely, "What are the seven external conditions for Salat (prayer)?" The young man immediately straightened up, knelt with his thighs upright, placed his hands on his thighs, closed his eyes tightly, and answered the Shaykh's question precisely: "Purity of body, purity of clothes, purity of place of prayer, covering the awrah (modesty), praying on time, facing the qibla, and having the correct niyyah (intention)!" At that moment, he sat rigidly, looking just like a student called to task. The Shaykh then asked about the essential elements of prayer and wudu. Finally, he asked him to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas ("The Chapter of Sincerity"). After answering all this, the young man slumped back into his original relaxed posture, like a balloon that had lost its air.

This teaching method was quite insightful. If we reflect on our own learning process for things like wudu, we often don't explicitly differentiate between its fardh (obligatory) and Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) elements. Instead, the focus is on formal instruction, teaching the entire wudu procedure as a whole. The same goes for salat. Every movement, every recitation is ingrained in our bones, but if you're pressed to explain what's fardh and what's Sunnah, you might not remember it with such clarity. This somewhat pragmatic approach, not emphasizing the distinction, can lead us to treat fardh and Sunnah as equally essential in practice. In special circumstances, our memory gets blurry, and it feels like everything is fardh and shouldn't be omitted. However, if we clearly understand that fardh are absolute obligations, and Sunnah are not strictly mandatory (referring only to special circumstances, as emphasized Sunnah implies you shouldn't casually abandon it!), then the issue becomes clear as daylight. I recall a brother recently asking in our group chat about the validity of wudu if one cannot rinse their mouth due to illness. How did the Imam answer? He said rinsing the mouth is Sunnah, so the wudu is still valid without it. Indeed, our Deen is one of ease.

 
 

 
 
 
The Abundance of Allah's Provision

Seeing the time was almost up, I told my wife to wait for me by the door while I quickly performed my wudu (ablution). When I emerged, my wife had a takeout container in her hand. She explained that one of the uncles at the masjid had seen us leaving and insisted she take a meal for iftar (breaking fast), a true blessing from Allah. We didn't have time to dwell on it; our minds were still set on the food carts we'd been eyeing, eager to get our actual iftar there.

After walking for less than five minutes, we finally settled on a large food cart. The young man working the cart seemed a bit green; he was out of pretty much everything we wanted, only having rice bowls and meat wraps left. We had no choice but to settle for what we could get. Just then, a Black uncle came bustling over. Without a word to the vendor, he grabbed some water from the cart, paid, and was about to leave. He seemed to notice my wife and I by our attire, and he extended a warm salam (peace greeting) to us. Masha'Allah.

After he left, I told my wife, "Subhanallah, there are so many Muslims here!" No sooner had the words left my mouth than the uncle reappeared. This time, he was carrying a bag overflowing with fruits and dates. He pulled out some bananas and oranges and insisted we take them, shoving them into our hands. The other people waiting for food around us looked on, perplexed, wondering what in the world was going on. After the uncle left, I smiled at an auntie nearby and tried to explain, "We're Muslims, fasting, and he gave us food." The auntie just smiled back. It was clear she didn't speak English and didn't understand my explanation, but the gesture of brotherhood transcended language.

A Sister in Need, A Prophet's Wisdom

Just that morning, we were wondering what we'd eat, and now we had a whole bag full of food. It felt as though Allah's grace was continuously flowing into our lives. Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah)! As we waited, a young woman wearing a white hijab (headscarf) came over to buy food. I pointed to the dates in our bag and gestured for my wife to offer her some. The girl took the dates, and her previously serious expression instantly lit up with a smile. My wife chatted with her, while I pointed her in the direction of the masjid. It turned out this sister had no idea where there was a mosque nearby where she could break her fast. Subhanallah! It was a perfect moment for a small act of kindness.

This experience brought to mind the beautiful Hadith (Prophetic tradition) where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked, "Which act in Islam is the most excellent?" He replied, "To feed others and to greet with salam (peace) those whom you know and those whom you do not know." (Recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).

As we walked through the bustling streets of New York, my wife turned to me and said, "I feel so content with this trip." And how could I not feel the same? Indeed, Subhanallah, what a blessed journey!
 

 
 
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Ramadan in the Big Apple: A Muslim's Journey

The last two days of the first week of Ramadan, my wife and I finally embarked on our long-awaited trip to New York. We were at the train station by the crack of dawn, before 7 AM, with the sky still dark. Even for a Monday, the station was buzzing with people; I figured a lot of folks, like us, were taking advantage of spring break. We'd planned this trip over a month ago. My wife's main goal was to see a special exhibition at the Asian Society Museum. I threw in, "Let's check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art while we're at it!" But as for what to do with the rest of our time, we were drawing a blank. My wife basically just threw up her hands, saying aside from wanting some good eats (most trips for us Muslims eventually boil down to that one line: "Let's get some good food"), she had no other demands.

When I think of New York these days, my mind doesn't immediately go to iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or the World Trade Center. It feels like "freedom" and the concept of "global trade" are showing signs of continuous decline, perhaps on the brink of being swallowed by the tides of history once again. Instead, what pops into my head are the rumors floating around: daily shootings, rats scurrying through the subways, and all that jazz. The reports and the spread of these stories aren't really about genuinely caring whether New Yorkers are doing well; it's more about proving that folks in New York are worse off than we are. Faced with that kind of information environment, I just decided to go with the flow and document whatever I saw and heard, getting a firsthand feel for everything.

Flushing, Queens: The New Chinese Capital in America

We booked our hotel in Flushing, Queens. When we made the reservation, there was only one reason for choosing that spot: it was cheap. After a full day of hitting the museums, we got back to Flushing around 8 PM. New York, which had been bright and sunny all day, was now buffeted by strong winds, with icy raindrops occasionally hitting us. As my wife and I shivered our way out of the subway station, the streets were still packed with people. Suddenly, my wife shouted, "Sugar-roasted chestnuts!" I gazed at the sign, which looked just like the ones back home in China, and felt a bit disoriented. I said, "We've really come home this time." When I spotted a "Zhang Liang Malatang" (a popular Chinese hotpot chain), I was even more convinced. Most of the people walking around were Chinese faces, the sidewalks teeming with pedestrians, just like Shanghai's People's Square during rush hour. Mandarin was understood everywhere, and most of the signs on both sides of the street were written in Chinese. If you stepped away from the bustling commercial strips into the residential areas, you'd hear passersby talking on the phone with family in a Northeastern Chinese dialect, while a mother behind you might be reminding her school-aged daughter in Mandarin to study hard. If an American were knocked out cold and thrown into a sack, then dropped onto a street in Flushing, they'd wake up in a panic, convinced they'd been sold to China.

Of course, if you're looking for a quiet and safe place in New York, Flushing and its surrounding areas can probably fit the bill. Otherwise, Chinese people wouldn't choose to settle here. Compared to the old Chinatown downtown, a brother I met at the mosque who lives in Flushing put it this way: "It's safer here. Old Chinatown is Manhattan, after all, and you've got all sorts of characters there." I readily agreed. Following the Chinese is the way to go. Chinese people are known for "voting with their feet"—if more and more Chinese are flocking to a place, it pretty much tells you it's at least safe to live there. My wife and I chose a Malaysian restaurant there for our iftar (breaking the fast) that night. The restaurant had a halal certification, but the staff told us the Hainanese chicken rice wasn't halal. In the States, you see this kind of restaurant quite a bit. It’s a good reminder to always ask, even with a halal sign, because when it comes to halal, you can never be too careful.
 

 
 
 
 
Masjid Syed Jamaluddin Afghani: A Dawn Prayer Revelation

This mosque, Masjid Syed Jamaluddin Afghani, is one of four in the Flushing area, named after the renowned modern scholar, Afghani. You can tell from the name that it was founded by the Afghan community. Naming mosques after people is nothing out of the ordinary and pretty common. Not far from here, there's Masjid Hazrati Abu Bakr Siddique, and the Islamic Center in Midtown Manhattan is Masjid Usman Bin Affan. There are countless mosques named after Ali, too. So, a mosque named after a person doesn't really tell you much. This mosque is about two blocks from me, so I decided to go there for Fajr (dawn prayer).

I left home a little before 5:45 AM, and folks in Flushing were still fast asleep. The only people out on the streets were those like me, responding to the call that "prayer is better than sleep," and Koreans heading to church activities. It was my first time seeing churches hold events so early. As I walked, I kept looking at the churches along the road; people were constantly going in, and the music was already blaring inside.

It took about fifteen minutes to get to the mosque. It was too dark to see the whole building, but luckily, a few people wearing hats went in ahead of me, showing me where the door was. Once inside, Fajr hadn't started yet, but there were already about twenty people gathered, mostly South Asian faces, all silently waiting for the Imam to arrive. About five minutes later, there was still no sign of the Imam, and at this point, some folks started to get a little antsy. Someone quickly pushed an elder from the community forward to lead the prayer. An older gentleman in front of me seemed to have a different opinion, suggesting we wait another five minutes, and if the Imam still didn't show, then start. But nobody paid him any mind; they stuck to the schedule and prayed on time.
 



Post-Prayer Greetings: A Lingering Connection

After the prayer, I, as usual, shook hands with the people passing by who were also praying. The others in the mosque weren't in a rush to leave after the prayer; instead, they greeted each other and chatted. Greeting everyone after prayer can actually take a fair bit of time; when there are a lot of people, you feel like you're saying salam a hundred times. Have you ever experienced the "hand-shaking" (shaking hands and exchanging salams) after Eid prayers? I go through this almost every morning after Fajr in our "P-town" (Princeton). After the Imam finishes saying salam to the left and right, the crowd slowly starts to stir. Two strangers who meet will shake hands, smile, and say salam. If you've met a few times, you'll also ask, "How are you doing?" And if you're really familiar, it's like old friends who haven't seen each other in eight hundred years; their eyes meet, a look of surprise and delight crosses their faces simultaneously, then comes the handshake, the salam, and that's not even enough for the ritual. They'll also give each other a hug and exchange a few pleasantries. As other familiar faces pass by, the cycle begins anew.

About ten minutes later, most of the people in the mosque had pretty much left. At this point, the main prayer hall was filled with the sound of an old man and a younger man arguing. They seemed to disagree on the time for imsak (the start of fasting before Fajr). The old man spoke with great conviction, saying that most of the Ulama (scholars) believe that the Fajr time and imsak are the same, and you can pray after imsak. As for ending 15 minutes earlier, that's just for caution. His powerful voice seemed a bit out of place with his frail, trembling body. The younger brother, who was likely the mosque's spokesperson, spoke much softer and more politely. He was probably explaining to the old man what the mosque's regulations were, and so on. The old man cut him off, sticking to his point, and told him, "I don't want to hear what the mosque says. What the mosque decides has nothing to do with me. I just want to tell you what the scholars explain." With that, he limped off, leaning on his cane.

Honestly, it took me years to figure out this issue myself. Imsak is simply the beginning of Fajr time, and iftar (breaking fast) is the beginning of Maghrib time. Ending imsak 15 minutes early and delaying iftar by two or three minutes is purely a precautionary measure. Once you understand that, it becomes much easier to grasp the timing of imsak and iftar. Of course, this was a prime example of the confusion I experienced in my earlier years due to not knowing any better. Understanding the Deen greatly helps in practicing it; a muddled account simply means a muddled life.
 



A Sudanese Brother and a Tire Thief's Den

While they were arguing, I sat against the wall, reciting Quran and eavesdropping (as they say in Northeast China) on their "chit-chat." A young man sitting across from me seemed undisturbed by their discussion; every time I looked his way, he was quietly reading the Quran. When only the two of us were left in the mosque, I got up and walked over to him, pretending to look at the bulletin board above his head, all while trying to figure out how to strike up a conversation. To my surprise, as soon as I got in front of him, he greeted me: "Brother, where are you from?" My heart leapt with joy, and the floodgates of conversation immediately opened. We briefly introduced ourselves. He was Sudanese, named Wasim, and a medical student.

Soon after, another older uncle joined us. They seemed to know each other. The uncle asked Wasim if he was busy, and the young man said, "You know how it is in the hospital; I can only bounce between the mosque and the hospital." I asked, "So you don't go shopping then? How do you get your groceries and stuff?" He just said, "Amazon." The uncle, listening in, chuckled and said, "I still prefer to buy things myself, especially fruits and vegetables. I have to see them with my own eyes." We chatted casually about various topics. They asked me about the situation in China, and I shared my thoughts on Flushing. I told them that what surprised me most about Flushing was how Chinese people online always complained about people here stealing tires. I asked if it was true. Wasim thought for a moment and said that theft is pretty common. "There's a well-known shop around here," he explained, "if you lose something, you go to that shop, and nine times out of ten, you'll be able to buy your stolen item back."

Chinese Muslims in Flushing: A Scattered Community

Compared to Wasim, the uncle was an old hand, very familiar with Flushing. I asked these two brothers living in Flushing if they had ever seen any Chinese Muslims here. The young man thought for a bit and said he knew a young man named Omar, whom he often saw on Fridays and at some hadith (Prophetic tradition) study classes. Besides him, he hadn't seen anyone else. The uncle seemed to know Omar too. He said that the first time he saw that Chinese man, he had long hair. The uncle gestured with his hand to show the approximate length. He told Omar, "Hair this long isn't very good." The second time the uncle saw Omar, he was surprised to find that Omar's hair was cut very, very short. I asked, "Besides Omar?" They tried hard to remember. "Yes, there was one more, but not Hui Muslim like you." I pressed a bit further, "Was Omar a convert or born Muslim?" They said he was a convert.

I then voiced my confusion. I told them it seemed difficult to find Chinese people in the mosque, and it wasn't like the Indo-Pakistani or other ethnic groups who have their own mosques. The uncle immediately corrected my second point. He said, "Mosques are the same everywhere, so there's no need for Chinese people to have their own mosque. That's Islam." The uncle told me to observe the churches in Flushing; there are so many of them, almost every denomination has its own church, and people from different denominations usually don't go to each other's churches. "But here, all the mosques are the same. Chinese people can go to any mosque. Every mosque has the same prayer, the same Jumu'ah. People from different backgrounds can enter confidently. Maybe Chinese Muslims are just spread out among all the mosques." The uncle's words were confirmed later during my stroll; there was one main road where almost every intersection had a Korean church.

The Mosque's True Form: A Hidden Gem

After about an hour of chatting, the uncle got up and motioned for us, inviting us to see the mosque's true "form." The place where we had just prayed was probably less than 100 square meters, and I was thinking, in such a large city, how much room could there possibly be for imagination? Following the uncle's lead, we walked out of the main prayer hall and turned towards a basement entrance. I followed him skeptically. When he opened the door, Wasim and I were both blown away, exclaiming that it was a whole other world! It turned out the place where we had just prayed was just a temporary side hall; the real mosque hadn't been used in winter because the heating hadn't been fixed. Including the basement, this mosque had three floors. The basement was a common area, with even a room for washing the deceased (ghusl). The second and third floors were the men's and women's prayer halls, respectively.

I asked the uncle, "Are there many women?" The uncle said that on Eid, the third floor was packed. I estimated that would be a few hundred people. I asked the uncle how much such a mosque cost and if it was funded by Muslim donations. The uncle said, "About $3 million. Donations from ordinary Muslims definitely aren't enough. There are always some wealthy individuals who cover the vast majority of the costs." Next, we followed the uncle to the first floor. The uncle pointed to a small room by the entrance of the main prayer hall, explaining that it was a restroom for those who didn't have time to go downstairs for wudu. I remarked, "New York is different; everyone's always on the go." The uncle then pointed to an uninstalled iron gate leaning against the wall and mysteriously said, "This iron gate was bought from China." My eyes bulged out as I confirmed with him, "Are you saying this iron gate with the crescent moon decoration on it?" It's quite ironic, I thought. Back home, we might not even be allowed to use such decorations, yet you bought them from China. The uncle chuckled and said, "Chinese people can sell anything!" And he cracked up.
 

 


A Mosque's Distinct Identity & Community Pushback

Stepping outside, the day had also brightened up considerably. The uncle pointed to the entrance. "That spot used to be the original main door," he explained. "We moved the door inward a bit so we could squeeze in two more parked cars." Space is at a premium here, so making smart use of every square foot is absolutely crucial.

I looked back at the mosque again, and it was then that I truly saw its distinct identity as a mosque. The not-so-tall minarets on either side stood in clear contrast to the surrounding buildings. Mosques like this are actually a rare find in urban areas. When you factor in the cost, having a dome and minarets means you need a completely undeveloped plot of land, which is practically a pipe dream in Manhattan.

Of course, they also run into some bumps in the road here. For instance, neighboring residents complain that during Jumu'ah (Friday congregational prayer), there are too many people, the loudspeakers are too loud, and they demand the mosque keep its windows closed, and so on. The uncle, with a slight hint of disdain, scoffed, "The prayer itself is only half an hour, and it's not like it's every single day. They clearly just don't want a mosque here and are looking for trouble."

However, there are exceptions. Wasim mentioned that his landlord, who is Chinese, has actually been eager to visit the mosque with him. I encouraged him, saying, "You've absolutely got to bring him. Don't forget about our Chinese brothers and sisters!"

Dar Al Taqwa Islamic Center: Another Welcoming Spot

After wrapping up my chat with them, I made my way to another mosque, and this one was much more polished by comparison. Wasim had told me about this mosque, saying that scholars often give lectures there, and he really enjoys going. The people at this mosque were also very courteous. When they saw me come in, they warmly asked where I was from and then inquired about where I was planning to break my fast that evening, insisting that I come back because they had iftar (breaking fast) meals ready. Before I left, one of them pointed to the door and said, "The mosque door is always open. You're welcome to come any time." Alhamdulillah!
 

 


Streets Lined with Diverse Houses of Worship
 
 

As I walked along the main thoroughfares, it was striking to see church after church, often right next to each other, especially Korean churches at almost every intersection. It truly made me ponder the diverse religious landscape of this city.
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Islamic Unity & Cultural Center in New York. Around 20000 Bosniak Muslim from Montenegro living in New York.
 

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New York Senator Chuck Schumer continues to grovel to Israel, as he attended a rally yesterday in support of the Israeli colonial regime. He supports giving aid to the Israeli government for American weapons, making him one of the executioners of the Palestinian people.
 
His hands are stained with the blood of innocent Palestinian children.
 
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Jewish protesters in New York call for 'Stand Right' and oppose Israel (Oct 13, 2023)
 
 Large protests took place across New York, including one involving Jewish organisations opposed to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Cries of "Free Palestine" rang out in New York on Friday, as thousands of protesters took to the streets to denounce Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip. Calling for an end to Israeli occupation and the liberation of the Palestinian territories, protesters took up multiple blocks in a city that serves as a crossroads for religions and nationalities spanning the world. The protest -- which drew demonstrators of all origins, some sporting Palestinian flags and keffiyehs -- accused Israel of "genocide" and called for the US to withdraw support for its Middle Eastern ally.
 
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New York City's strength lies in its diversity and unity. NYC mayor continued his five-borough Ramadan tour last night, joining an iftar dinner in Queens. Ramadan Mubarak to those who are celebrating!
 

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The Adhan (Muslim call to prayer) is shrieked out in London today at ‘The Victoria & Albert Museum’ to mark the opening of the Ramadan Pavilion Project which aims “to represent the history of the mosque and Muslims in Britain”
 
click and whatch this video:
 

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Today morning Jamia Mosque Nairobi Committee members presented a donation from Kenyan Muslims to the Türkiye embassy in Nairobi to aid the victims of the recent earthquake in Türkiye. A small but heartfelt contribution to our brothers and sisters in Türkiye.
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Jamia mosque in Nairobi will go a way in educating us on religious tolerance & peaceful co-existence. Let's all purpose to attend.
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NYCMayor visited the Darul Uloom New York Masjid Mosque in Jamaica, Queens for Friday prayer.
 

 

 
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FlySafair had to divert a flight destined for Cape Town and land in Gqeberha due to what the airline described as a “minor technical issue”.

The low cost carrier told customers in an update on its website that flight FA143 had departed from East London at 3.20pm on Wednesday and “shortly after take-off, the crew became aware of an issue”.

“In the interest of safety, the decision was made to divert to Gqeberha.”

The airline described the incident as a “minor technical issue” but did not elaborate.
 
The aircraft landed safely in Gqeberha at 4.35pm.

Just under an hour later the airline said FA 143 had been cleared for take-off and was departing for Cape Town.

“We would like to extend our apologies to the customers on board FA 143 for the inconvenience, and we thank them for their patience in allowing us to always act conservatively in the interest of safety,” the airline said.

Airline safety has been in the spotlight recently after the SA Civil Aviation Authority temporarily withdrew Comair’s operating licence due to concerns about its safety management systems in the wake of three “significant” failures on flights. view all

 

 
Fun capital of South Africa.this list is a guide and combination of living and working in the media industry in Cape Town.A human connection with what is happening in this fun loving country now.time of ad.19degree sunshine 15 km from muizenberg. google it view all

WHO ARE WE?

Aerobotics is a South African Ag-tech company with a smart scouting platform to identify pests and diseases in tree crops. Aerobotics’ platform combines weekly satellite data, automated drone scouting, and infield scouting data to identify and track every tree on the farm. Aerobotics then uses machine learning to automatically detect pest and disease problems, and finally alerts the farmer to those locations to ground-truth the data and diagnose the specific problems. By bringing farmer validation into the loop, Aerobotics gets smarter all the time, which benefits all the farmers on the platform. The company’s web-based software platform is called Aeroview. 

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Are you the person who always puts the needs of your clients first? Are you always on top of your game with a friendly demeanour? Can you hold your own in a fast paced environment and preempt clients needs? We are looking for a client success agent who has a passion for agricultural and wants to help us make sure Aerobotics clients are always happy and at ease using our platform to enhance their agricultural enterprise. 

DAILY DUTIES
Day to day tasks includes, but are not limited to:Supporting your regional business development managers to get his prospective leads across the line
Walking clients through their processed data via video call or in person
Work closely with the data operations team to ensure timely data turnaround
Work closely with our Growth team to help grow a satisfied client base
Liaising with the product training team to schedule on the farm training
Help improve Aeroview user engagement by keeping clients happy
Work with product team to ensure farmers feedback is taken into consideration for future product development
Make sure clients/service providers are aware of any new developments regarding our Aeroview platform and other productsNote: This role is based in Cape Town, however you will be servicing the US.
Working hours are from 15H00 to 00H00. 

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

One to two years work experience in a client servicing role
Candidate must have effective writing and communication skills in both english and Afrikaans
Candidates must be computer literate and tech savvy
Any experience in the agricultural sector would be advantageousQUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Graduate degree in Business or other related field.
 
]Apply This Job Now On Our Official Website![/url]
 
 
About us:
 
  view all

As a Social Media / Marketing Junior your main role will be to create, manage and improve the overall quality and efficiency of social media marketing at Linum Labs. You will have strategic involvement in aspects of the social media, marketing and communications roadmap. You are responsible for creating and executing the copy across all of our online platforms and for developing further written content in line with project requirements. Social media marketing will include building brand awareness, creating engaging content and constructing reports based on marketing efforts.
 
Responsibilities

Development of brand awareness and online reputation
SEO and generation of inbound traffic
Administrate the creation and publishing of relevant, original and high-quality content
Develop relevant content topics to reach the company’s target audience
Create, curate and manage all published content (images, video and written)
Monitor, listen and respond to online users while cultivating leads
Analyse and report on key metrics and improve strategy as needed
Assist in developing and implementing marketing campaigns
Build and execute social media strategy through competitive research, platform determination, messaging and audience identification
Generate, edit, publish and share daily content that builds meaningful connections and encourages community members to take action
Create editorial calendars and syndication schedules
Collaborate with other team members to manage reputation, identify key players and coordinate actions

Requirements

Recent graduate with a Brand, Marketing or Communications degree
Demonstrable skills in social media management, advertising, copywriting, marketing and online reporting
Maintains a working knowledge of SEO principles including keyword research and Google Analytics
Proficient in content marketing and application
Experience in sourcing and curating online content
Displays in-depth knowledge and understanding of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn etc.) and best practices for each platform
Excellent communication skills (written & verbal)

Other important attributes

Required to have your own laptop
A passion for blockchain
Ability to work remotely
Interest in emerging technologies and the tech industry
 
 
Call (+27) 71 425 3380
CV and cover letter to [email protected] view all

Apply for this if you enjoy thinking deeply about how economic mechanisms drive human behaviour. You have a background in research and/or academia and are excited about the implications that blockchain technology and decentralized networks could have on the global economy and society. You have a good understanding of game theory and economics, but also enjoy seeking out knowledge from other fields. You are meticulous, thorough and sceptical when appropriate. You are interested in technology, distributed systems and programming.

This is a remote role, so there is no requirement to be at our offices in order to conduct your research.
 
Responsibilties

Conduct research and analysis in any of the following areas: the economics of decentralized protocols, token economics, mathematical modelling, simulations, incentive schemes, game theory, the interaction between tokens and real-world economics
Deliver good internal documentation regarding the conducted research and analysis
Work towards publishing results in peer-reviewed publications
Represent the organization at academic and industry conferences
Build and maintain relationships with research organizations in economics
Work together with a team of other researchers that will grow over time
The Employer may assign other tasks or responsibilities to the Employee, provided that they correspond to his education and abilities

Requirements

Master or PhD degree in Economics, Mathematics or related field (Bachelor after the 6. semester will also be considered)
Experience building forecasting models
Experience with applied game theory
Experience with microeconomics and pricing models
Ability to educate others on statistical methods
Ability to communicate effectively across multiple organizations in the company
Strong knowledge of mathematical models
Self-starter with the ability to work independently
 
Call (+27) 71 425 3380
CV and cover letter to [email protected] view all

Linum Labs is looking for senior blockchain developers to join our team as we grow our research & development department, where developers work on building decentralized products for a global client base and blockchain community as well as our in house projects.

The successful candidate will be a driven, disciplined developer with excellent communication skills, is experienced in open source development as well as having past experience in smart contract development. Protocol development experience would be beneficial.
 
 
Job Description

As a senior developer, you will be required to take integral roles in the creation and execution of our upcoming products as well as potentially take a leading role on individual products.
In addition to this you will play an active role in researching developing tech in the blockchain space. 
You should have a high energy, service-oriented, friendly, professional disposition. Your role as a developer at Linum Labs will require both engagement with the blockchain & Ethereum community, as well as being an active voice within the team.
You will be able to self manage tasks, expectations and schedules in a remote environment.
This job is all about building decentralized and secure products so that ordinary people can use Ethereum on a day-to-day basis and gain real value from doing so.
Utilizing Solidity to create a system of smart contracts to integrate into existing infrastructure for example access control systems, point of sales systems etc.
Work with a team of developers to produce both the backend smart contract system as well as the front end integration for a seamless user experience.
 
 
Qualifications

Familiar with Javascript (ES6 preferably), NodeJS, and other basic web technologies. Familiarity with frameworks like Truffle is even better. Must understand smart contracts written in Solidity.
Familiar with object-orientated languages like C, C++, C#. Experience with Java, Python or LLL also acceptable here.
Experienced in open source development, preferably on blockchain related projects.
Familiar with web app frameworks such as Angular, React or Vue.
A degree in computer science, information systems, engineering or other relevant subject.
Experience working with blockchain technology, decentralized systems and public-private key infrastructure.
Must have excellent verbal and written skills, being able to communicate effectively on both a technical and business level to a diverse, mostly remote team.
Ability to understand complex technical concepts and explain them to non-technical trainees.
Flexible – ability to adapt to changing markets, customers and company.
Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of activities with varying priorities.
Can perform day-to-day work, and new and/or complex assignments with minimal supervision.
Passion and enthusiasm for blockchain and the decentralization of services.
 
Call (+27) 71 425 3380
CV and cover letter to [email protected] view all

About You

We’re looking for inquisitive, capable and highly driven developers to join our team. As a developer in the blockchain space, you are excited by the fast paced growth of the industry, you enjoy researching emerging technology, exploring and interacting with the open source community. You have excellent time management and communication skills, are able work effectively in a decentralised team as well as work towards a shared goal of contributing to the future of blockchain.

Your Role

As a developer at Linum Labs, you will join our research & development department in creating iterative prototypes for our products, creating front end apps for our Solidity smart contracts as well as being involved in consultation research.  The ideal candidate will be a driven, disciplined developer with excellent communication skills, able to research and keep up to date with current trends and developments within the blockchain community. You will be able to self manage tasks, expectations and schedules in a remote environment.

Apply for a position by sending your updated CV and cover letter to [email protected]
 
 
 
 
What We Can Offer You

Great clients – engaging with a wide range of interesting and diverse clients from global fortune 500 corporations and governments to startups and non-profit organisations
Great rewards and competitive compensation structure
Flexible working hours and engagements
Remote working
Co-Working subscriptions
Annual company offsites
Paid travel opportunities across Europe, Africa and America

Qualifications

3 to 5 Years Web App development experience
Javascript (ES6 preferably), NodeJS, and other basic web technologies.
Extensive experience in JS frameworks such as React or Angular
Development using Redux
Git/Bitbucket
Firebase or NoSql variants
Must have excellent verbal and written skills, being able to communicate effectively on both a technical and business level to a diverse, mostly remote team
Active researcher, a keen sense of news in the development space is essential
Strong project planning / management, organizational skills, and the ability to handle multiple competing deadlines
Can perform day-to-day work, and new and/or complex assignments with minimal supervision
Passion and enthusiasm for Blockchain and the greater movement it is a part of

Preferred, but Optional

Experience working in a remote team
Web3 & Solidity experience
Implementing Redux middleware such as Saga
DevOps skills such as Azure/AWS
CD/CI tools such as Jenkins, TravisCI etc
Setting up & Managing Docker environments
Capable of presenting to technical audiences (e.g. software developers or operations engineers)
Proficiency in using Streak, Slack, GoogleDocs, and other industry-standard tools
 

 
 
CV and cover letter to [email protected] view all

Job Description

As a graphic designer at Linum Labs, you will join our marketing and brand team on a number of diverse and cutting-edge blockchain projects.

The ideal candidate will be a driven, creative and diligent with excellent communication skills, able to research and keep up to date with current trends and developments within the design space and blockchain community. You will be able to self manage tasks, expectations and schedules in a remote environment.

Graphic design or similar degree from tertiary institution 
1-2 Years experience in graphic design & branding 
Experience working in a marketing team 
A portfolio of existing work 
Highly computer literate 
Passion for innovative technology 
Diligent and self reliant, able to work independently or remotely 
Great researcher 
Attention to detail 
Fast learner and worker 
Works well in a team

Job description and deliverables: 
Designing digital online and social media suites, banners, posts, adverts 
Compiling print media designs for flyers, business cards, posters, banners, booklets 
Conceptualising and implementing designs for data visualisations, digital product user journeys and pitch decks/presentations 
Photography, event photography and editing 
Video editing (optional, advantageous not mandatory) 
Meeting marketing team and directors to discuss the business objectives and requirements of the job; 
Estimating the time required to complete the work and providing project timelines; 
Developing design briefs that suit the project purpose; 
Thinking creatively to produce new ideas and concepts and developing interactive design; 
Using innovation to redefine a design brief within the constraints of cost and time; 
Presenting finalised ideas and concepts to marketing team and director; 
Working with a range of media and keeping up to date with emerging technologies; 
Proofreading to produce accurate and high-quality work; 
Demonstrating illustrative skills with rough sketches and working on layouts ready for print; 
Commissioning illustrators and photographers; 
Working as part of a team internally and externally with printers, copywriters, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists.

Other information: 
Candidate is required to have their own laptop. 
A passion for technology is bonus 
Experience working in tech startups will be good 
This industry is fast paced and perpetually evolving - candidate needs to be ready to be immersed in a whole new world of tech. 
Linum Labs is a blockchain production studio with a focus on training, consulting and community aggregation.
 
 
Call (+27) 71 425 3380
 
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Job description

Orderin is South Africa’s leading food delivery service. We deliver our customers favourite meals right to their doorstep, all in a matter of minutes. Doing this consistently is incredibly hard and in our experience, can only be done by super smart, hard working, passionate and positive minded people. This is especially true of our dynamic team of engineers. Our ability to rapidly build, test, improve and scale our technology is at the heart of our success. All of this takes a lot of smart people, but importantly with a positive, ‘get it done’, mindset. So with that in mind, we are looking for a smart, passionate and highly resourceful senior level full stack .Net engineer to join our team and help build world class products that customers love and keep coming back to.



The ideal Candidate

Our belief, is that in a world where technology evolves daily, aptitude is important, but attitude is non-negotiable. Your perspective on your ability to improve with the times and embrace adversity is central to your success. We operate in an environment where we strive to continually build best in class technologies, and that often means solving hard problems. Embracing and finding gratitude in those challenges and failures, is vital.

On the technical side, we appreciate there is always a usually a technology and language you specialize in, but we expect you to be comfortable dealing with both the backend and frontend components of our system, and learning new skills along the way.

We do not separate development and devops, so if you like to get your hands dirty, with automating everything that can be automated, and getting features through their lifecycle faster, then you’re going to love Orderin.




What you will be doing
Building cool shit that your friends love and use daily!Delivering our product feature roadmapDatabase design, analysis and optimisationDeveloping our backend to add new functionalityConstantly improving and refactoring our current system to be able to easily and quickly meet modern business needsTaking full ownership of the features you are working on - from design time to supporting in productionDesigning and technical planning for the futureDo regular code reviews and promote best practicesInfluence architecture and infrastructure as well as UI/UX decisionsConstantly improving functionality and taking the initiative to suggest and build new featuresLiaising with other team members to consistently deliver the best experience to our customers and exceed their expectationsSometimes we’ll ask you to do deliveries - so you have your finger on the pulse of our operations!





Our technology stack
C#ASP.NET MVC.NET Framework  / .NET Core 2.0MS SQL ServerReact JS, JSX, SCSS + Webpack / npmDockerAmazon Web ServicesSwiftKotlin

Requirements
Design - thinking in object oriented way and aware of Domain Driven designImplementation - you should be able to write readable and maintainable code following SOLID principlesQuality assurance - being able to write fast and pragmatic tests and understand the purpose and difference between different types of testingDelivery - understanding branching strategies and continuous delivery cyclesCommunication skills - we believe that the best decisions come out of great minds collaborating, so you should be open to communicate and discuss your technical work and design decisions with the rest of the teamContinuous improvement - we constantly take a couple steps back to review what we could do better and we try to keep the balance between the ongoing feature work and technological innovationPositive attitude with a mindset of abundance and gratitude (yes, we meditate in our office)Cloud (Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure) experienceDevOps and Docker experienceGit




Optional

eCommerce experience

Understanding agile processes and methodologies

Experience with modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue)

Experience with other, non-Microsoft platforms and languages





What we offer

Join an incredibly talented team where you will learn a lot

Enter a high performance environment where you will be challenged to be the best version of yourself, both professionally and personally. We strongly believe that being successful extends beyond the office and encourage everyone on our team to improve every facet of their life, whether it be leadership coaching, meditation, yoga or hobbies, we want you to be awesome

Opportunity to be part of the team building one of the most significant success stories in African eCommerce

Access to our global network of investors and advisors

Monthly Orderin credits

Flexible work hours
 
 
tel:  +27 21 201 1155 (9 AM - 10 PM)    view all