Masjid Essentials
An example of a large mosque* or masjid which shows the separation of men and women, a library, and an itikaf for prayer, reflection and Qur'anic study during Ramadan.
Areas to be included in a Mosque: these can be applied to the pictures here and to an original design.
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- For learning there might be a library or a school called Madrassah and an Itiqaf is a place of Qur'anic study and prayer.
- Dummy colcs for indicating times of prayer.
- Minbar (essential), raised platform where the Imam gives his Khutbah. Opposite a respondent may copy the Imam on the dikkah. A Kursi is a place to rest the Qur'an.
- Imam's office (essential): Historically there was a Maqsura near the Qiblah wall which was a place of protection for the Imam and especially a visiting Khalifah.
- Mihrab, an alcove in the Qiblah wall (essential)
- Outside there may be an approach, a decorated Porch, and even a Mortuary.
- Men's ablutions (Wudu) (essential) and Women's ablutions elsewhere (essential if women are to attend).
- Canteen and Kitchen perhaps. There can be a separate Office or two.
- Men's prayer room (essential) which may be partly covered and uncovered in a courtyard (Haram and Sahn).
- Women's prayer room (essential if women are to attend) or a screened off area for women. The style of Muslim prayer is not compatible with the mixing of the sexes.
- Minaret (one of more) from where the Adhan or call to prayer is made either by a Muezzin or a recording (essential).
- (Star and) Crescent may be on the Minaret. As well as representing the Universe it was a sumbol of the Ottoman Empire. There may be a Dome for circulating air and improving the acoustics and there collonades and arcades for shade (riwaqs).
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A mosque is simply a place to pray. The whole world is a mosque and Muslims may pray anywhere except dirty places. The interior cannot contain any statues or pictures of God, Muhammad (pbuh) or anything sacred. The carpet in the prayer room may indicate spaces for prayer.
* Drawn again inspired from Clinton, C., Lynch, S., Orchard, J., Weston, D., Wright, A. (1999), Religion in Focus: Islam in Today's World, London: John Murray, artwork by oxford illustrators Ltd., 68-69.