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Learning objectives
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What is a mosque?
The Islamic Center of America: a newly built mosque in Dearborn, Michigan, USA
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What is a mosque?
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What similarities and differences can you see between mosques and other religious buildings?
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Mosques in Britain
Some mosques are purpose-built, while others are converted houses or existing buildings.
Special mosques
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What is an imam?
The word imam means someone who stands in front. The imam leads the prayers and preaches the Friday sermon, in which he explains a passage from the Quran or a story about the prophet Muhammed. An imam is not a priest. He is an educated person. He knows a lot about Islam.
Each mosque has an imam. There are no ordained priests in Islam. Why do you think this is?
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What is a muezzin?
The muezzin calls Muslims to prayer from the minaret. He recites the adhan, or call to prayer, at set times. Come to prayer, Come to security, God is the greatest, There is no God but Allah.
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When we enter the mosque we go in with our right foot first, while pronouncing blessings upon Muhammed and his family. Once inside the mosque we have to speak softly so as not to disturb the people praying. Prayer is a duty for all of us.
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Wudu
Muslims wash in a special sequence called wudu. They believe this makes them physically and spiritually clean before Allah. Men and women wash separately. Wash hands.
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Mecca
Muhammed said that prayer is like a stream you dip into five times a day. What do you think he meant?
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Aids to prayer
Do you know what these are? They are prayer mats used during the five daily times of prayer. Prayer mats often have pictures of the Kaaba or other Islamic holy sites on them to help focus the worshippers attention on holy things.
Can you see any other designs on the mats that may be there for reasons other than decoration?
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Aids to prayer
Do you know what these things are used for?
The compass is used to find the qiblah the direction of Mecca so that we can pray facing the right way. The green things a prayer cap my Dad wears one when he prays, as a sign of modesty and humility. And the prayer beads are used to help us recite all the names of Allah.
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The ninety-nine small beads are used to say the ninety-nine names for Allah during prayer. Repeating Allahs name in this way (titles such as the Wise, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Good or the Eternal) draws Muslims closer to him. Sometimes they recite the same few favoured names over and over.
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The madrassa
When I was a boy growing up in Pakistan and then Turkey, my father encouraged me to attend a madrassa, or mosque school, every evening. It was here that I learned large sections of the Quran in Arabic. The madrassa taught me the difference between right and wrong, and I encourage my own son, Yusuf, to attend, as it assists him in his studies. The mosque is more than a place of worship, it helps shape who we are as Muslims and we have made lifelong friends there.
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Wordsearch
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What to wear Wear clothes that cover you to the ankles and wrists. Remove your shoes and cover your head when you enter.
What questions to ask Write down the questions youd like to ask, and remember to ask before taking any photos.
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What do these sayings tell you about the importance of mosques for Muslims? Are they saying the same thing, or something different?
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Our family always tries to pray together. A mosque is a house of prayer, but it is also much more than this. Our mosque holds evening classes that teach us more about our faith, and I enjoy helping out with the events and dinners that our mosque hosts.
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One of the happiest moments of my life was when I stepped into the mosque for our wedding! We were living in America at the time. In all the places weve stayed, weve always found good friends and lots of support at the mosque.
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Over to you
Answer the following questions in full paragraphs, explaining your answers. What makes the mosque special for Muslims, and how is this similar to or different from how other religions view their places of worship? What is your response to the beliefs and ideas Muslims hold about their places of worship? Should places of worship be the focus of the community? Are there places where you feel a particular sense of respect, or places of local or community significance in your life? Why are they significant to you?
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