In my coursework I am going to describe the Central Mosque in London. I will describe the main features of the mosque, the role and function of an imam and the role and function of the mosque in the Muslim community.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Sohail Bhamjee

A PLACE OF MUSLIM WORSHIP

The main external features of any mosque are the Dome and the Minaret. The dome is a very important feature as a mosque is recognised by the dome. In hot countries the Dome allows the air to circulate. Islam comes from the Middle East, where the climate is very hot. The Minaret is a tall tower. In Muslim countries the call to prayer five times a day comes from the top of the Minaret. A man called the muezzin would climb the tower each time five times a day to give the prayer call. The prayer call is to remind people when it is time to pray.

There are also many internal features in a mosque. I am now going to describe some of the important features. The most important part of any mosque is the prayer hall because a mosque is a place where you pray and you do this in the prayer hall. When some visitors come to visit a mosque they fell a bit disappointed because when they see the prayer hall it is a big room or hall where there is nothing really to see such as any pictures or furniture. The word masjid (mosque) means ‘place of prostration’. The large space in the prayer hall is for the men to gather for prayer. In some mosques or countries the imam (leader) allows the women to pray in the mosque but in a separate room so that the two sexes do not distract each other. In hot countries like Saudi Arabia there might be an open courtyard. Inside the prayer hall there are no seats because the seats are not needed for the prayer.

Inside the prayer hall we have two main features, the mimbar and the mihrab. The mihrab is at the front of the prayer hall, it is an alcove in the wall. This shows the worshippers the direction of the Qiblah where they have to face when they pray. The imam stands at the front near the alcove and this is where the mic and the system is which amplifies the voice of the imam. The alcove in the wall will have patterns around it of different colours.

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There is also a mimbar, this is the only piece of furniture needed in the mosque. The mimbar is a set of three steps so that the imam can stand on one of them and give the Friday sermon. In some mosques, there may be more than three steps, which has a platform at the top of the mimbar. The imam stands on the mimbar so that he can be seen and heard. The mimbar also has decorations or passages from the holy Qur’an written in calligraphy.

The prayer hall will have carpet. At the front of the ...

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The prayer hall will have carpet. At the front of the prayer hall there will be an individual prayer mat for the imam to lead the prayers on. The carpet will be very simple with a few patterns on them. It will be thick so it is comfortable to walk in bare feet and to sit on and to kneel on. The separate prayer mat has patterns and also a cube-shaped kabah. The kabah is in the centre of the sacred mosque in Makkah.

Decorations will be drawn all around the mosque. Some mosques are beautifully decorated with intricate patterns. You will never see pictures or statues because of idolatry. Allah forbids any types of images of him. The decorations on the walls are in the beautifully form of writing – calligraphy. The writing will be passages from the holy Qur’an, we believe that they are Allah’s words.

When you enter the mosque there will also be washing facilities so that the worshippers can wash themselves before praying. In hot countries there will be washing areas inside and even fountains or taps in the courtyard. There are separate areas to wash and pray for women. Shoes are removed before entering and left on shoe racks, visitors have to take off their shoes but they don’t need to wash themselves as they are not going to pray.

As well as these essential features there is a small room for the women to pray, if they do not attend to pray at the mosque they can pray at home on their own. There may be a balcony where women can pray their prayers there. The women’s worship area is separate for men and women so they do not get distracted.

I am now going to explain the role and function of an imam in a mosque. The Arabic meaning for the word imam is ‘in the front’. What this means is that the imam stands in the front of the worshippers to lead the prayers. He stands at the front of the prayer hall on the prayer mat. The imam stands in the centre of the first row. An imam is not a holy man, he is equal like everyone else. He is an educated man that has the knowledge about Islam who he can then teach the children who want to learn about Islam. The worshippers who visit that mosque choose the imam. He will, be chosen if he has the knowledge of Islam and has the ability to recite the Qur’an properly. Some of the imams spend seven full years in an Islamic institute where they learn Arabic and Islamic studies. They can then teach adults and children Arabic or basic Islam. They spend seven years in a school which is called a Darul-Uloom (house of knowledge).

Apart from leading the prayers the imam holds other activities to help the Muslim people in the local community. I will be explaining these later on in my coursework.

The imam also acts as a Khatib who preaches the Friday sermon. The Friday sermon is called the Khutbah. The imam teaches Islam to all ages. He will give advice to adults or even teach Islamic books to those who want to learn. The imams are also involved in activities like prison visits. In small mosques the imam will take in these religious activities if he wants to in his own time. In larger mosques the imams are employed full time. The imam is responsible for any decisions made, but the community also has a say.

To finish the first part of my coursework I am going to analyze and explain the role and function of the mosque in the Muslim community, which includes regular activities at the mosque helped by either the imam or from someone local. A mosque has three main purposes: a place of worship, an Islamic education centre and a centre

for the Muslim community. Here are some activities that take place at the London Central Mosque, some of them require special rooms and offices such as a library. Some take place outside e.g., prison visits.

The educational services that take place at the London Centre Mosque are weekend classes including Arabic classes for adults. The weekend school also has Islamic and Arabic classes for children aged 5 to 15 only. They have a choice to attend either Saturday or Sunday from 10am to 3pm. The Arabic classes for adults are held on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. The classes are taught by one of the local imams at that mosque- Mr Tijani.

Other facilities include visits to prisons. Delegated imams and intelligent people from the local community visit prison inmates to provide Islamic rehabilitation work. The Muslim prisoners are visited so they can practice a bit of Islam while they are in prison.

The three imams at the London Central Mosque are Shaikh Gamal Manna, Shaikh Muhammad Zahram and Shaikh Hamid Halifa. They are available in the mosque to discuss any personal problems and difficulties which individual Muslims may have. The imams are free from 10am to 3pm everyday of the week except Fridays. The local community may ask questions on any subject in Islam.

The library is another activity which a wide range of the community takes part in and visits it daily. The library has a lot of books and Islamic magazines in English, Arabic and other main languages. It is open everyday besides Saturdays. It is open from 10am to 5pm. You can take the books out on loan and return them on a weekly basis. There are audio cassettes which have recordings of the Qur’an and are also being sold or even being rented out.

I am now on the final part of my coursework which is the conclusion. I have been given a quote (below) and have to say why I either agree or disagree to the quote. For my reasons I have to refer to Islam.

“You do not need to go to the mosque to be a good Muslim”

Although not everybody would disagree, I want to disagree that you do need to go the mosque to be a good Muslim.

I have several reasons for arguing for this point of view. My first reason is that salat (prayer) is one of the five pillars of Islam, and salat is the key to success.

A further reason is that if you believe in Allah then you have to do what he tells you. He has told us to read five times a day at the mosque, by which you gain twenty five to twenty seven times more reward than reading it at home.

Furthermore is that if you do what he tells you to do than you will go to paradise. You will live your life in pleasure and with happiness.

Therefore, although some people might argue that you do not need to go the mosque to be a good Muslim. I think I have shown my point of view which is, you do need to go to the mosque to be a good Muslim.

As you can see above the Central Mosque in London, which you can recognise by the dome and the minaret.