A mosque (Arabic: masjid, "place of prostration") is the centre of Muslim community life. It is a place of prayer, learning, and gathering.

Key Features

The minaret - a tall tower from which the muezzin traditionally calls people to prayer five times a day.
The dome - a great roof above the main hall, often decorated inside with Arabic calligraphy.
The prayer hall - a large empty room with carpets where worshippers line up in rows facing Mecca.
The mihrab - a small alcove in the wall showing the qibla (direction of Mecca, the city Muslims pray towards).
The minbar - a small staircase or pulpit from which the imam gives the Friday sermon (khutbah).
A washing area where Muslims perform wudu - washing hands, mouth, face, arms and feet before prayer.

No Images of Living Beings

Mosques are decorated with geometric patterns, floral designs and calligraphy (verses from the Qur'an in beautiful writing) - but never with statues or pictures of people or animals, because this could lead to shirk.

Visiting a Mosque

Visitors remove their shoes and dress modestly. Women cover their hair. Men and women usually pray in separate areas, with women often in a balcony or behind the men. The largest mosque in the UK is the East London Mosque; the most famous is Regent's Park Mosque in London.

Y9 Islam

The Mosque - House of Worship