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The Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Turkey (Blue Mosque)
Muslims gather to pray in a mosque.
Muhammad built the first mosque at the end of the hijra from Mecca to Medina.
Muslims have since built mosques wherever there is a Muslim community that gathers for worship.
The Quba Mosque (Masjid Qubā') — located in Medina (Madinah), western Saudi Arabia. It is the first mosque in Islamic history, and the oldest mosque in the world, originally completed in 622 CE. It was founded by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, after his migration from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina)
Features of the Mosque
All mosques have some common features and routines.
Muslims are called to prayer 5 times a day by a prayer caller from the top of a tower beside or in the mosque.
Worshippers perform ritual washing in a courtyard and remove their shoes before entering the prayer area.
The prayer hall is a large open area that is usually carpeted.
Sometimes the hall is divided, with one section for men and one for women.
Salat involves movement, and mixing men and women in these actions could lead to distractions or impure thoughts.
When praying, Muslims must face the direction of Mecca.
This direction is shown by an alcove or recessed area.
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