Islamic PracticesThe Mosque

• To label the main features of a mosque.

• To explain how a mosque is used.

• To consider the importance of places of worship in Islam.

• To understand and be able to explain how a mosque is designed and what it is used for.

Learning Objective

Success Criteria

• A mosque is an Islamic place of worship.• It comes from the Arabic word masjid, which roughly translates as ‘place

of prostration’ in English.• To prostrate is to stretch on the floor in a position of submission. This is a

major element of Islamic prayer.• In summary, therefore, a mosque is a place of prayer.

What Is a Mosque?

• Other than being a clean place to pray, there is no set design that a mosque must follow. Some mosques are just houses that are converted into places of worship.

• However, there are several key features that purpose-built mosques usually have. These are shown on the next few slides.

The Key Features of a Mosque

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The Dome and the Minaret

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The Qiblah and Mihrab

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The Minbar

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Washroom

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Mosque DiagramComplete the mosque diagram task on the activity sheets.

People at the MosqueWhat are the roles of the muezzin and the Imam?

You have one minute to write your answers on a whiteboard.I will then ask some of you to explain your answers.

Jean-Léon Gérôme. A Muezzin Calling from the Top of a Minaret the Faithful to Prayer

ImamLeads the prayers. May have other roles to help the community, such as conducting funerals.

Meuzzin Gives the call to prayer (adhan) so Muslims know when to pray.

Jummah Prayers• Friday afternoon is normally

the busiest time at the mosque outside of major festivals.

• This is when Muslims say Jummah prayers. These are congregational prayers. The Qur’an recommends praying together where possible and Jummah is a duty for Muslim men.

Women can go to Jummah prayers, but are not expected to.

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• After the prayers, the Imam will then give a sermon from the Minbar.• Whilst it is best to go to a mosque for Jummah prayers, it is possible to

do it elsewhere as long as you pray with others. For example, schools with large numbers of Muslim students may organise Jummah prayers during lunch hours.

‘A Mosque Should Only Be Used for Prayers’

Agree Disagree

Write your name on a sticky note and place the sticky note on the board to show your position on this issue.

Use your survey sheet to find out the views of at least five other people in the class. Remember, it is the reason for their belief which is most important.

Let’s Test Our Knowledge…Write the numbers 1-7 and then answer the questions.

Jummah.

It is where the Imam stands to give the sermon.

Makkah.

Mihrab.

Performs the call to prayer.

Imam.

Perform wudu.

1. What are the prayers that happen on Friday afternoon called?

2. What is the purpose of the Minbar?

3. What does the Qiblah wall point towards?

4. What is the alcove in this called?

5. What is the job of the muezzin?

6. What is the name of the person who leads the prayers?

7. What must Muslims do before praying?

• To label the main features of a mosque.

• To explain how a mosque is used.

• To consider the importance of places of worship in Islam.

• To understand and be able to explain how a mosque is designed and what it is used for.

Learning Objective

Success Criteria

Did you meet today’s aims?

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