A Muslim Mosque

A typical floor plan of a Muslim Mosque Minaret Minaret Qibla Mihrab Minbar Dome Prayer hall Minaret Minaret fountain entrance Courtyard area for leaving shoes

A Mosque or Masjid contains symbolic or functional features, each one of which has its own history that is important to Muslims. A Mosque is a humble way for man to recreate pure divine presence on earth. Mosques are not built to a set plan. Each Mosque has its own individual touch. However there are mandatory elements that must be included: qibla wall mihrab minbar

Prayer or main Hall is a bare room with no furniture. You will find no pictures or statues within the building. In some mosques the walls may contain calligraphy with verses from the Koran inscribed on them. everyone sits on the floor facing the Mihrab and everyone is equal in status. within the prayer hall you will find the Qibla, Mihrab and Minbar. there can be no doors in the wall where the mihrab is placed — for the other walls, there can be as many doors as the builders want.

Muslims are required to face Mecca when they perform their prayer. Qibla mihrab The Mihrab (a niche) in the qibla ( direction wall) located in the prayer hall indicates the direction of Mecca. Muslims are required to face Mecca when they perform their prayer. Quite often the Mihrab is in the form of an arched niche.

Qibla mihrab The minbar or mimbar (pulpit) mainly constructed of wood is found standing close to the mihrab.

The minbar can take many different forms or shapes The minbar can take many different forms or shapes. Some are constructed with 5 steps (one for Muhammed, and four for the first four Kalifs.) The prayer-leader stands on the minbar to give the congregational prayers and sermon on Fridays and on other religious holidays.

Dome The Dome symbolises the universe. It is quite often inscribed with verses of the Koran in calligraphy. Dome The Dome usually sits above the Prayer Hall.

Mosques may have one, two, three, four, and up to six minarets. are a tall slender towers, circular or square in section, built next to, or in, a mosque, from which Muslims are called to prayer by a muezzin. Mosques may have one, two, three, four, and up to six minarets. Today, the Minaret serves as a visual inspiration indicating a Muslim community.

An area for the ritual washing and place for leaving shoes. Courtyard An area for the ritual washing and place for leaving shoes. fountain Courtyard area for leaving shoes

Ablution Fountain is a feature frequently, but not always, encountered in mosques. It is usually put in the centre of the mosque's courtyard for the worshipers to perform their ritual washing before prayer. fountain

Functions of a Mosque Traditionally the Mosque played an important social role throughout history. It was: a place of prayer a centre for political activity an educational institution a focal point of communal life.

Today the mosque is: the centre of the community a gathering place for Muslims in the neighbourhood the centre of worship a place where Muslims gather to worship a ‘house of God’

The Mosque is also a place where: marriage ceremonies funerals religious education and social activities take place.