Places of Worship - About Mosques

     
           The Ka'aba-Masjid al-Haraam
The Mosque is primarily a place of remembrance of God.  According to Muslim tradition, the first mosque built on earth was Masjid al-Haraam -  located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.  Masjid al-Haraam is recognizable world-wide through photographs of the Ka'aba  during Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca.  It occupies a position of primacy in relation to all other mosques.  Next in importance are two other mosques:  Masjid an-Nabbi - the Prophet's mosque in a Medina, Saudi Arabia and Masjid al-Aqsaa (Al-Aqsaa mosque is known as the second house of worship on earth, and was the first direction of prayer [Qibla] for Muslims before it was changed to Masjid al-Haraam) which is next to the Dome of the Rock mosque  in Jerusalem.

                    Masjid an-Nabbi
The word mosque comes from the Arabic word, masjid, which means a place where one prostrates oneself, or a place of worship.   The concept of the mosque originated during the life of Prophet Muhammad, who built the first mosque during his Prophethood in Medina.  In the  early Islamic period, the masjid served many purposes.  Not only was it a place if worship, learning and prayer, but it also functioned as a community's political and social centre.  It was where believers assembled for prayers, where the Prophet delivered his addresses to deal with issues surrounding the social life of the community, where he educated his followers, where he explained revelations, where he met  emissaries and discussed the merits of his message, where he dealt with internal and external political  activities. 

                        Al-Aqsaa
From the very advent of Islam, the mosque was the centre of worship and other activities of the Muslim community.   It is the  mosque or masjid more than any other institution that helps new Muslims in Ottawa adapt to their surroundings.  The mosque facilitates the integration of new immigrants  to their  surroundings and new Muslims to the Muslim community.  the mosque contributes strongly toward the institutional completeness of a community.  The mosque functions as a religious institution, a social organization and educational resource.  

                    Dome of the Rock
Throughout history of Islam, the mosque has always played an important social role.  It has been a place of prayer, a centre of political activities, an educational institution, and a focal point of communal life.  Now that Muslim communities have established themselves throughout Canada, the  religion, and its primary institution, the Mosque, have had to adapt to many of the norms of their host country.  Their success in doing so has created thriving Muslim communities, each one distinct form the other because of the unique blend of members and local traditions.  Each mosque is designed to serve the specialized needs, individual and communal, of it population.  The mosques in the Ottawa area are a reflection of the Muslim community's  identity as a distinct religious , cultural, and social  group.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The Ottawa Mosque (OMA)

 
Etiquettes to be observed in the Mosque

Throughout the history of Islam, the mosque has always played an important social role.  It has been a place of prayer , a centre of political and social activities, an educational institution, and the focal point of communal life.  In Muslim countries, the mosque serves various functions depending on the political and social environment.  

The mosque combines religious and social activities that encourage active faith and strong community life.  Because Islam preaches unity of the spiritual and the worldly aspects of life, community gatherings and mosque-related activities include both social and spiritual elements.  Friday-noon prayer, at the mosque, is the most important socio-religious activity of the community.  Mosque attendance contributes to a Muslim's sense of religious identity. Although each member brings an entire lifetime of cultural experience into the mosque, separate past experiences seem to fuse as individuals join together on the basis of their common beliefs.  Commitment to religious beliefs is one of the strongest factors influencing the preservation of Islamic Identity.

In spite of the spiritual and social aspects of the Mosque, the Mosque still remains a place of sanctity.  Cleanliness in all respects is paramount; purity of mind, body, thoughts and actions.  Muslims are expected to be in a state of purity (body, mind, and soul), when he or she visits the mosque.  In particular, Muslims perform ablution (washing of hands, face, arms, and feet) before performing prayer.  Muslims prostrate in their prayer, and thus the mosque must be clean. Mosques in North America are carpeted and shoes are removed upon entering.  Shouting or raising one's voice unnecessarily, and using improper or foul language are abhorred.  Modesty in dress is expected for both men and women.  Visitors are welcome at mosques; however, visitors who are not familiar with Muslim  religious practices should contact the administration of one of the local mosques for information and to arrange visits.

The Most Sacred Mosque in Mecca - Always crowded with the Faithful