‘Can a non-Muslim visit any mosque? If not, why not? ’ This is not about can or can’t; it’s not yes or no. It is all about etiquette, protocol and understanding. The mosque (masjid) is meant to be a place of worship open 24/7. We only close it here between prayers to avoid tourists going in who don’t know how to conduct themselves. Masjids are places for worship. Others use them to sleep between prayers, or especially at night – they’re often much cooler than some people’s homes, and they usually have nice carpets. So why can’t you just walk in? While there are five daily prayers, you can still pray between these times – no time is off limits. So to get in, as a Muslim or not, the protocol is to dress modestly – women should cover from head to toe, except the face and hands. (Please note that if a ladies’ section is available, that’s the area you should use.) Men should be covered from shoulders to below the knees. There should be no distractions, such as cameras, talking on your phone and so on. You should also remove your shoes. Once inside, you can’t walk in front of a person in prayer. If the congregational prayer is being conducted, everyone must line up shoulder to shoulder in a straight line facing the Qibla – the direction of the Kabba. Last but not least, there should be no kids running around, and there should be complete silence. When a person is praying, it’s a time when you are in serious conversation with the Lord, so no distractions please. So to just walk in at any time, without following the dress code, to take pictures or have a conversation is an absolute NO. But if you remember to do all of the above, no one can tell if you’re a Muslim or not from just what you look like. Islam has been part of all nationalities and cultures for more than 1,400 years. However, your best bet is to join us at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding to better understand the etiquette and protocols. Alternatively, accompany your Muslim friend – they will help to make your visit a pleasant one. Nasif Kayed is managing director of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Every week in 7DAYS he addresses topics about culture and life. Do you have a question for Nasif? Email [email protected]
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 22:48:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015