Belfast Islamic Centre

The purpose of the Mosque is to provide religious services, educational, social, cultural and similar activities, to the Muslim community and serve as a resource for information, and cultural cooperation.

A mosque is a place where Muslims meet to worship God (Allah). The word 'mosque' is linked to an Arabic word meaning 'prostrate oneself' and it is a place where Muslims bow before God to affirm their obedience to God's will (prostrate means bow down). Belfast mosque is currently a converted house.

Muslims all over the world, pray five times a day. Prayer times are fixed by the sun and change daily. Each time for prayer has a different name; Fajr (before dawn and sunrise), Zuhr (after midday), 'Asr (between late afternoon and sunset), Maghrib (between sunset and the end of daylight) and 'Isha (night until dawn).

The first thing a person does before entering the mosque is to take off their shoes. This is because they are entering a sacred place. Also, when a Muslim prays at the mosque they put their forehead on the floor.

Muslims who come to the Mosque to pray must perform wudu before doing so. This is a sacred wash that symbolises spiritual cleansing and purity in readiness for coming before God. When a Muslim performs wudu they wash their hands, mouth, throat, nose, ears, arms up to the elbow and feet.

When a Muslim prays in the mosque they always face Makkah. This is the holy city where Muhammad (pbuh) lived and it is also the place where the Ka'bah is found (this is the stone building which Muslims believe was the first place built by Adam (the first human) for the worship of God).

Belfast Mosque has been established since 1978.