THE ENERGETIC IMAM

I don’t know of any imam quite like Hj Busra. A vigorous and tireless figure, you always see him darting around the place, from the mosque to the local schools and community centres, tirelessly ensuring that the various needs and functions are taken care of—administering prayer, organising events, providing pastoral support—and we just chalk it all down to coffee obsession. The guy appears to work off adrenalin and surely caffeine—the need to keep up with his energetic mien and hyperactivity. I once caught him nursing a mug of coffee during a sermon. Another time, I saw him brewing himself a fresh pot in the middle of a prayer session when it was time for tahajud prayers in the last part of the night. From time to time, I’ve caught his side profile, jutting out a little steepled index finger as he silently pours coffee into his mouth and down his throat, then darting back to his place in the congregation, all stealthy and cat-like.