Things to know when visiting a mosque

One should be dressed modestly and wear loose clothing that covers the body. Shorts, tight jeans, and skirts that do not go to the ankles must be avoided. Shoes are removed before entering the prayer hall of the Mosque as they often carry dirt from outdoors. This is a humble place for self-reflection and turning inward in the presence of God, and as such, visitors must be dressed accordingly.

In America, when you walk through the front doors into the building, there is usually a lobby of some sort. This space is not considered actual “masjid,” which literally means a place of prostration. However, people tend to refer to the entire building as the masjid. The lobby is where shoes are removed prior to entering the carpeted area which is the sacred sanctuary where the sermon is delivered and the prayer is performed. 

Unlike other places of worship, the prayer halls at a masjid are very open and empty. There may be calligraphy along the walls, ceiling, and towards the front. But you will never find iconography, photos of people, or statues because of the Islamic emphasis on the worship of the One God who is Unseen. Renderings of God and the prophets are strictly forbidden. The actual middle of the prayer hall is wide open without benches and pews.

Upon entering the space, a Muslim ready to worship should be in the state of wudu, or having performed the ablution that is necessary before touching the Quran or praying. This is a physical cleansing of the body by washing the face, hands, and feet. Phones should be silenced. Many Muslims will enter the space and perform an optional two cycles of prayer individually to greet the masjid before taking a seat. During the actual prayer, there is no talking which in fact breaks the prayer and necessitates it to be repeated.

It is important to note that men and women have different spaces designated to sit during the prayer. They either have an entirely separate area, or in the very big prayer halls, a shared but divided space to prevent free mixing. This is done to ensure that the parishioners maintain focus on the worship of God which could be compromised if men and women are genuflecting and prostrating in the same area.

Worshipers enter the space and all sit down facing the front of the Mosque which will be in the direction of Mecca. This direction is called the qiblah. The qiblah is easily recognizable in a mosque thanks to a structure called the mihrab, or prayer niche at the front of the space. This is where the imam will lead the prayer from. It is usually next to some steps or a platform called a membar that is utilized during the Friday sermon. Here, the imam is elevated enabling the entire congregation to see him.

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