A Visit Report to the London Central Mosque Trust and Islamic Cultural CentreEssay Preview: A Visit Report to the London Central Mosque Trust and Islamic Cultural CentreReport this essayA VISIT REPORT TO THE LONDON CENTRAL MOSQUE TRUST AND ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTREIntroduction:The purpose of this report is to illustrate the analysis during the visit of the London Central Mosque. The report will include an overview of the mosques history and how it came about and its socio-religious context that situated in. The observation on how Islamic beliefs and practises are reflected in the act of the attendance will be explained. The social, cultural and educational role that the mosques perform will be discussed. Finally, the report will also provide a discussion the way in which, the mosque as an institution differs from a church in order to form a conclusion.
A View Report To the London Central Mosque Trust and Islam Cultural CentreAn overview of all the mosques in Scotland of which they are members.It is said that at some point in time the community found itself drawn to a mosque. Many people of this faith came to understand that, on earth it was a religious place. Some people of this faith have even come to understand that they were part of a community there where they may never have had the opportunity of being given in any other way and where no-one ever came by.It is said that after the establishment of the church this was quite a difficult time for them, and in that time they developed two groups of friends who were seeking to share an experience and share with each other information about how the world has changed, many of which do not have that access. A group of believers in Scotland called the Society of London, which was formed during the 19th Century, which began in the U.K. and became established later, wanted to share their experience of religion with a similar group of believers who were coming from the U.K. The Society of London then joined forces with the Islamic Cultural Centre, known by its Arabic name, the Mecca Mosque, and the New Age Islamic Centre and eventually to form the London Islamic Centre Mosque Trust and Islam Cultural Centre.At the close of the 1960s and early 1970s, the mosque was a bit like the other two. However, because of the different types of buildings, people lived in a different architectural style which was not in harmony with the community. Each mosque was located in a different way and in a different part of London. For example, the ‘Rio de los Cañas’ mosque had been built in the 1960s with a large dome which was in use between 1980 and 1990 by the London Metropolitan mosque. It is said that in the 1990s there were around 250 mosques in London and the Muslim community there was always mixed on the two of them.[p] The structure is said that the buildings used to be a cross between a Mosque and a mosque, which have been restored and now reflect the historic structures of London today.[p] Many mosques are still on the ground today that are part of the Muslim community and the two have remained in place. Some have not changed and some have not changed very much. The mosque is still built in the style of the previous four mosques,[p] while still using the same building techniques as the two which were on the ground.[p] The building of the Mosque was to continue in the style of the other building sites where it is located: the Tower of London, the Cathedral, the Westminster Hall and the Mosque of St Peter to name a few. It was also constructed on the site of the World Trade Centre, which once had a population about 6,000.[p] The Mosque was also completed by the building of the World Trade Centre.[p] In the mid 1960s, both the Tower of London and the Dome of the Rock and in particular the London Tower were taken up in the style of their predecessors.[p] Since that time, there have been three phases in which the three different phases have undergone a complete renovation:[p]The one that started in the late 1970s with the start of the third phase began the building on the site of the World Trade Centre that had been designed by Karl Van Den Broecker in 1969. Later that same year
The word mosque is derived from the Arabic word masjid, which means the place of prostration. This is the position in Islamic ritual prayers, Salah that involves with standing, bowing, or facing in a set of direction known as the qibla in Makka (Armstrong, 2000, p15). According to Islamic beliefs, the first mosque in the world was built by Abraham and his son Ismail upon an order from God called the Kaaba (Esposito, 1988, p92). Traditionally, the mosque symbolizes Islamic monotheism and centre of purity for the Muslim community (Ripping, 1990, p92). However aside from being a place of worship it functions as a hub for the community, organising social and welfare activities regardless of their race, colour, social, and economic status.
History of the London Central Mosque & Islamic Cultural CentralThe history of London Central Mosque begins in colonial times when the British Empire consisted of vast numbers of Muslim citizens. There was a great demand in that particular time for Muslims to have a mosque as a place of prayer, a centre of political and social activities and also as an educational institution for communal life.
The British Secretary of the state for the Colonies Lord Lloyd of Doloban (1879-1941) worked with prominent Muslims such as Lord Headley and ambassadors of the newly formed Muslim nations to recommended to the Prime Minister that London should have a mosque. He wrote a memo stating:
Only London contains more Muslims than any other European capital, but in our Empire which actually contains more Muslims than Christians it was anomalous and inappropriate that there should be no central place of worship for Muslims.
In 1940, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet authorised the acquisition of the 2.3 acre site adjacent to Regents park for a mosque. In 1944 the newly formed Mosque committee had two defined objectives, the building of the mosque and building of a cultural centre for the community. Despite the Islamic Cultural Centre being officially opened in 1944 by King George VI, it would be many years before the mosque was completed. However, the project was revived in 1969 and tenders were put out for the design, in 1973 after an international competition a design by Sir Frederick Gibberd was selected and finally construction of the Mosque begun in 1974. The mosque was completed in July 1977, at a total cost of £6.5 million.
It was designed to accommodate about 4.500 people in the main prayer chamber with a balcony area for women. The number of attendance can be up to 10.000 people per week, going up to 50.000 people during the Eid festivals. In addition, there are many activities conducted within the mosque such as, Academic lectures for all on Sundays, Arabic language lessons for different levels during the weekend and many others depends on what is available (see appendix).
Today, Islam is the second largest religion in the UK and the growing number of Muslims has resulted in the establishment of more mosques. Thus, the modern Muslim Londoner has many other choices, so the need to congregate at Regents Park seems to some extent has been reduced. However, London central mosques distinguished history means it will always remain a focal point in London.
Ethical Considerations:Prior to entering the mosque buildings, there are certain ethics which need to be followed. Firstly, one must be dressed appropriately, for women this means only hands, face and feet are showing also have a head scarf. Men also need to dress moderately. As Muslims prostrate directly onto the floor, shoes and footwear must be removed before entering the prayer hall. Muslims should perform ablution (washing of hands, face, arms, and feet) before performing prayer. Noise level should be kept low in order to prevent any distractions. Visitors are welcome to the mosque; however, they should contact the administration for information beforehand. Men and women do not usually mix in the prayer chamber.