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.