Which religion worships in a mosque

However, like most churches and other places of worship, most mosques welcome visitors of other faiths. Some mosques hold periodic interfaith gatherings or open houses, so you can look to see if one of these will be happening at your local mosque. Many mosques understandably have heightened security. And in some cases, like after the New Zealand mass shooting, they might be asking visitors to schedule a visit for a later date.

You can also ask when would be the best time for you to visit. Friday prayers are often a great time to attend, meet community members, and observe worship customs. Keep in mind that many mosques are rather small and might not have staff available to answer the phone at all times. Give it another try. You might also reach out by email, their Facebook page, or through their website, if they have one.

Men and women should both dress modestly, in looser-fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs—no shorts or sleeveless shirts for either gender.

Women should also bring a scarf. Most mosques have extra. Makeup is OK. And kids can wear whatever they want. Most people will be delighted you made the effort. Feel free to shake hands with people of the same gender. Some will be perfectly comfortable shaking hands; others will prefer not to. In such cases, a suitable alternative is to put your hand over your heart. Expect to be welcomed! The Muslim faith places a high value on hospitality.

When you arrive, someone will probably show you where to remove and store your shoes. Be sure to silence or turn off your phone. This is not the time to take selfies, text, or make phone calls.

In the old times or even today in some Arab countries the mosques have often been built by rulers and the administration of the mosques have been financed by Waqfs Vakif , endowments bringing in revenues. These Waqfs were normally agricultural land, often administered by the donator or members of his family, and could in some cases have a location far away from the mosque it financed.

There could be more than one Waqf to each mosque. Mosques with economical problems did often seek for new donators. While mosques officially have been under the rulers, direct control was difficult because of the economical independence through Waqfs as well as the mosque's strength among people.

The main donator, and his family were in many cases legally considered the owner of the mosque. In other cases it was the Qadi kadi , the judge of Sharia, who acted as the main administrator Nazir of the mosque. The power of the Nazir was considerable and his position have often given room for intense conflicts between individuals and groups. The factual leader of Alat in the mosques was the ruler who held the title imam. Local rulers had a parallel position under the title Ala Salat.

The position of Khatib is a result of the imam being unable to perform the Salat of Fridays , the Khutba. The Khatib could be a Qadi, and in larger mosques several Khatibs could be appointed.

Today in Turkey most of the new mosques are built by the people living in the neighborhood with donations , or in case of necessity, religious and charity organizations can build them as well. Mosques are centers of cities or of neighborhoods in cities. This function does not always have to be structured but can be connected to mentality, and the construction of a new mosque makes a center emerge. Very few mosques lie in open areas and does not have shops and commercial activities in the streets around it.

People's houses are often lying in a second "circle" outside the mosque and the shops. Other social functions have often been connected to mosques, schools, law courts, hospitals , and lodging for travelers. This pattern is based upon the Madina mosque, but is of less importance today as city planning now often use Western models.

When entering the mosque a person shall take off his shoes or sandals. Entering the mosque shall be done with the right foot first, while one utters blessings to Muhammad and his family. Once inside the mosque, two Rak'as shall be performed. A person inside the mosque shall talk softly, not loudly, so that he or she does not disturb people praying. For the Friday prayer nice and clean dress and perfumes are recommended.

Women entering mosques are not prevented through neither the Koran nor the Sunna, but there are regulations on how she shall behave in a mosque. Mosques can be segregated either in time or in space. But in some Muslim countries women entering mosques have not been welcomed and mosques can be closed to women, either by local rules or by habit. In Turkey women can easily go into any mosque. While the Salat can be performed anywhere, it is considered more meritorious when performed in the mosque and together with other people.

The Sunna states that Salat in the mosque is 20 or 25 times more valuable than the one performed in the home. During the Ottoman Empire Turks converted to Islam and many great mosques were built in Istanbul and other cities. With the Muslim population spreading to the Balkans mosques have become widespread in many cities and towns in Greece, Albania, Serbia and Bosnia.

A mosque is basically a house of prayer but during history it has acquired many other religious functions. Adult Muslims must pray five times a day. While normal prayers can be said anywhere, Muslim men should pray in mosques on Fridays.

During the holy month of Ramadan other events take place in mosques. Some mosques offer dinners after sunset or breakfast before sunrise. During the last days of Ramadan some mosques hold all night prayers. Since Muslims are required to give money to charity they often donate it at mosques. In the course of the 20th century mosques have served political purposes.

As conflicts between western society and the Muslim world rose, mosques were used to preach peace and understanding among religions. Mosques are often the center of social conflicts. In the past decades series of bombs have exploded in mosques all over the world. Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations have repeatedly used mosques as a place to recruit and train radical Muslims.

In the s Saudi Arabia started financing the construction of mosques around the world in an attempt to spread Islam. With petrodollars that the country has received in the last decades Saudis can afford sharing their wealth with others, especially poor Muslims.

Arab mosques usually have a square or rectangular layout with a courtyard in the middle. The first mosques had flat roofs on top of the prayer halls. Later on Islamic architecture focused on domes and arched entrances.