Mosque

For an individual who observes a religion, ritual is the most indicative sign of the character, existence, and foundation in that faith. Ritual activities and their attendant buildings, clothes, and other ritual paraphernalia are emblems of each religion and for each member of a religion. Through creating shared symbolic expression, ritual symbols unify the faithful. In Islam, a religion deeply embedded in ritual, the mosque is not only central to Muslim ritual, but clearly identifies the Muslim faith worldwide.

To be Muslim means to be part of a worldwide community, as in the global participation by Muslims in daily prayers and attendance at the mosque. Although the Muslim ritual of praying five times a day (miqat) at daybreak (salat al'asr), noon (salat alzubr), midafternoon (salat alasr), sunset (salat almaghrib), and evening (salat al'isha') does not have to be done within a single designated building (for Muslims are to pray wherever they are), the mosque has become the central physical element manifesting the presence of Muslims at any given place in the world.

Before prayers can be started, there must be purification of the attendant through ritual washing of the arms up to the elbows, the mouth, nostrils, feet, and ankles three times in succession. Within the mosque there are water tanks, urns, or fountains for this purpose. Muslims are required to remove their shoes upon entering the inner core of the mosque, for it is believed to be sacred ground. As Moses removed his sandals when seeing God at the Burning Bush, Muslims also practice this ritual as a submission and honor paid to God. In the mosque, the floors are laid with carpets or mats end to end, for Muslims are to pray in a clean place, free of defilement. Both men and women are to be moderately dressed. For women, this means that their hair and body are to be covered, exposing only their face and hands. In various countries around the world, Muslim women are allowed to enter the mosques; however, their placement within the mosque may differ. In Egypt, a barrier divides the men from the women. In Canada, there are separate rooms for women to pray in. The reasoning for the separation is so that the women will not distract the men from complete devotion to Allah. Once these rituals are completed, the attendant is purified in body and in spirit and is ready to offer prayer to Allah.

The muezzin, the man who chants the call to prayer from the highest tower in the mosque, can be heard at the beginning of each designated time of prayer. The muezzin calls out to the community of Muslim faithful to worship together. In modern times, the muezzin uses electronic amplifiers, as cities and [Page 298]Muslim populations have grown. The muezzin enunciates the following:

• La ilah illa Allah (There is no God but God)
• Muhammad rasul Allah (And Muhammad is the messenger of God)

The mosque is the ideal location for congregational prayers. Friday noon prayers, the Sabbath for Muslims, are generally well attended by the faithful who seek to engage with their community in worshipping Allah. The imam, a learned teacher retained by the mosque, leads the service in the mosque for all five daily prayers.

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