The mosque (coming from the Arabic ‘masjid’, meaning ‘place of prostration’) is the centre of the Muslim community, providing a place of worship and a place for many community activities – reflecting the fact that all Muslim life is bound up with their religion.
Mosques vary greatly in size and shape, but each has a number of common features. The main hall (zullah) will be carpeted and the carpet (sajjadah) may be woven in a way which includes a pattern indicating the direction of prayer. The wall which faces Makkah is known as the Qiblah Wall (Qiblah meaning the direction of Makkah) and contains an alcove or niche called the mihrab which again points to Makkah. On the right of the mihrab there will be a platform and steps called the minbar, from which the Imam or prayer leader will deliver the weekly sermon at the Friday midday service, which all male Muslims are expected to attend.
Muslims condemn idolatry and believe that any form of re-creation of ‘perfection’ is seen as arrogant. For this reason there will be no representations of people or animals in the mosque. Instead, it may be decorated with intricate geometric and floral designs and Arabic calligraphy made up of extracts from the Qur’an. There are no seats in the prayer room.
Before entry to the hall of worship everybody must remove their shoes and many men cover their heads. Men and women do not kneel down together in the mosque. The women form rows behind the men. There is sometimes a special room or balcony for the women.
The five daily prayers are each announced by the call to prayer, the Adhan. In large mosques the muezzin, the man who issues the call to prayer, may do so from a tower called a minaret. Clock faces may be seen in a mosque, telling the times of the prayers.
Within the mosque there will usually be a place to perform the ritual washing before prayer; wudu.