I have a friend in the military who is sending home prayer rugs for our children to play with as magic carpets. Is it disrespectful for children to play on a prayer rug? If so, I won't let them. Thank you!
It's just a rug!!!! If it was someone's personal prayer rug then, yes it would be offensive. The rugs sent to you have never been used by someone as a prayer rug so let the kids play!
Looks to me like a prayer rug.
These rugs may have been designed for prayer but they are not blessed or consecrated or anything like that and for the most part serve a utilitarian purpose. The people who use them will kneel and prostrate on them, so I don't think they will be kneeling on top of sacred images. If the rug has some history or is of an especially ornate design, then it probably won't be cheap enough for him to send of to a child as a plaything. I think he should keep sending these souvenirs, the children will enjoy them and maybe get a glimpse of another culture. If he decides to buy a Koran then he should treat that with respect.
Why don't you ask your friend how the merchants react when he says what he wants the little rugs for? I think it's OK, prayer rugs are just a small carpet that the faithful kneel on to pray. In Turkey at least, which is the only Middle Eastern country I've visited, the rugs aren't sanctified in the way that religious icons are among Christians, and similar small rugs are used to carpet homes and shops.
Some of the most beautiful rugs in the world come from the Middle East. People use rugs that are normally used for prayer for entryway rugs, rugs under their dining room table, etc. It is not disrespectful to use them and enjoy their beauty.
