Student: Soufiane FARES B00549206

Subject: Visit a mosque. Briefly describe what you saw and your impressions
of it. Describe with reference to the activities that are carried out there and
the services the mosque offers.

Introduction
If Islam was revealed in Mecca, it is in Medina that religion was organized. Its in
Medina that the concept of mosque was born and designed in the seventh
century. The first mosque was the "qubaa` mosque"; and then Prophets Mohammads
Mosque N-nabawiyyi masdjid. Since then, the reproduction of this religious
architecture spread with Islam in the Middle East, Eastern media in the West and
Africa. This expansion in space and in time has enriched the mosque on two levels:
architectural and organizational.
The term "mosque" comes from the Arabic word "masdjid" the verb "sajada". It
literally means "place where one prostrates. According to religious texts (: the Koran
and Hadith), the mosque can be set in any place except a mosque forbidden areas, or
considered unhealthy such as: crossroads, fold animals etc. As this paper is about a
Singaporean Mosque, lets now focus on this country where many religions mingle in
peace.
In Singapore today,the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Majlis Ugama Islam
Singapura) plays a very important role in the organization of Islamic affairs and
therefore of the Muslim community. Authorized by the 1966 Administration of Muslim
Law Act, the council, composed of members nominated by Muslim societies but
appointed by the President of Singapore, is formally a statutory board that advises the
president on all matters relating to the Muslim religion. The council also helped the
government reorganize the mosque system after redevelopment. Prior to the massive
redevelopment and rehousing of the 1970s and 1980s, the muslims in Singapore were
served by about ninety mosques, many of which had been built and were funded and
managed by local, sometimes ethnically-based, communities. Redevelopment
destroyed both the mosques and the communities that had supported them,
scattering the people over new housing estates. The council, in consultation with the
government, decided not to rebuild the small mosques but to replace them with large
central mosques as Paya Lebbar Mosquee: Masjid Wak Tanjong
http://www.muslimpopulation.com/

Our study seeks to know the architecture, organization and functioning of a mosque in
Singapore and to reveal the impression someone can have by visiting it. This problem
has led me to visit a mosque and talk to the following people: The administration of
the mosque, an Imam and a member of an Islamic association. To proceed I chose to
divide the work into three parts: the general characteristics of mosques and its
architecture, organizations and activities in Masjid Wak Tanjong, actors and managers
of mosques.
I. General characteristics
We will treat in this part the mosque construction conditions, possible types of
founders and their components.
I.1. Mosque founding in Singapore

An important development in the history of mosques in Singapore was the

establishment of the Mosque Building Fund (MBF) in 1975. The MBF provides a system
to collect funds for building mosques through optional deductions of a fixed amount
from the monthly salary of muslims through the Central Provident Fund (CPF). In the
beginning, the minimum donation was 50 cents, today it is $3 to $5 depending on the
person's income. The MBF funds the purchase of land and the construction of
mosques to serve the muslim residents of new public housing estates. These mosques
were designed and built by the Housing Development Board (HDB) until 1994. The
Mosques Division of Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is now responsible
for erecting mosques - it coordinates design competitions to select an architectural
firm to build a mosque.
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The task of furnishing new mosques, or of maintaining and redeveloping older

mosques, is left to the management board of the mosque (which is composed of
volunteers), and its fund-raising activities and resources. Community effort is what
keeps mosques in good shape.
I.2. The components of the mosque
In general, the mosques contain a courtyard, prayer room(s), toilets and
classrooms. In the most basic ones we find only the prayer room and toilets. This
mosque is quite big and composed by:

The courtyard is located in the entry and occupies a large area. Because of the
rainy weather of Singapore this place is a tiled closed space. We can access
from this place to prayer room, toilets and classrooms. On friday, some people
perform their prayers in the courtyard because prayer room is cramped and too
hot. This place houses the headquarters of associations, Islamic foundations and
their special committees. Masjid Wak Tanjong for example houses the Islamic
Foundation for Nature Protection, the board of education etc. They are like
meeting centers of all components of the Muslim community.
Praying room is the prime location and the most important component of the
mosque. It is quite bigger than the courtyard and we can find in it Muslims
praying, reading Quran or resting. In the praying room a semicircular niche in
the wall indicates the qibla: the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca and hence the
direction that Muslims should face when praying. The wall in which a mihrab
appears is thus the "qibla wall." The mihraab is equipped with mats, tanned or
bunk carpet skins to allow the Imam leading the prayer in the conditions. A
second component of the prayer room is the "Minbar", where the Imam stands
to take the oath of Friday prayers. It is located to the right of mihraab. Raised by
a small building made of cement or wood, at the height of two to three steps of
stairs. Another element of the prayer room is the "minaret", which means where
the muezzin (mu'addin) calls to prayer. The minaret is the highest element of
the mosque. It has several forms, depending on the choice of builders and
manufacturers of architectural culture, but in this mosque it is circular. They
were used by the muezzin calling for prayer but with the arrival of speakers the
muezzins call to prayer inside the prayer hall. The minaret becomes more a
decorative element than a ground of appeal. The minaret is placed at the right
angle to the east.
Classrooms: When I went to visit for the first time, the imam was in the class
room giving Tafsir lessons, so it was the opportunity to discover that a
classroom in the mosque is normal classroom in which the Imam or a teacher
gives explanations of some ayat of a sura for example (see the chapter
Activities/Education below)
Toilets: Before praying muslims have to do the wudu an islamic procedure
for washing parts of the body using water, typically in preparation for formal

prayers (salat), but also before handling and reading the Qur'an. So the toilets is
more like a washing room mainly here for the wudu.
We can also notice in the mosque that there is a separation in the prayer room
between womens hall and mens one. They are separated by a curtain.
On the other hand, my first impression when entering the mosque was peace and
calm. This clean place was so silent that I didnt want to disturb the silence by
speaking with the imam. People were welcoming and very open to discussion.
II. Organizations and activities in mosques
Every mosque has an internal organization. It is managed by several people. These
managers are different in number depending on the size and importance of the
mosque.
II.1. Religious Activities
The mosque is a place of Islamic worship. All activities and practices of Islam held
there. First, it is the place of confession. The mosque is a second home, in which a
muslim has the right to conduct its religious and social life: his prayers, his marriage,
baptisms of his children, etc. It is also his duty to protect and maintain this place. The
second important religious activity is prayer, where the mosque is initially instituted. It
is mandatory, according to the principles of Islam, all Muslims, five times a day:
morning, noon, afternoon, sunset and night. It is also the mosque that new candidates
for the pilgrimage to Mecca also learn how to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca, are
the "du`a" before and after the trip to the Holy Places of Islam. One of the main
activities in the mosques of Islamic education is.
II.2. Educational Activities
It developed in the Muslim world and has created several types of lessons. It is also
the Koranic school and madrasahs from which men religious, literary, and political
philosophers themselves were formed. In Singapore, mosques sheltered these types
of education. Several Islamic schools and madrassas were localized in the
mosques. This is, for example, F. Elhadji the Koranic school, the central madrasa, the
best known and largest of the city, was in the Grand Mosque before heading to the
streets of Palestine neighborhood Tiedpalogo, Sector 1. Another type of religious
instruction practiced in the mosques is the Majlis (study circle). This education can
take place wherever concerned see fit. Teaching that was taught there
was "tafsiir" (explanation and commentary on the Qur'an). Currently, classes are
taught by SANFO Abdurahman. At the end of the course, the organizers prepare to
eat, drink and make a du`a. A social activities in mosques by Muslims.
II.3. Socio-economic activities
Outside of prayer, mosques are places where Muslims are a lot of events and activities
celebrating Mouloud (N-nabawiyi Mawlidu prophet of birth), the Night of
Destiny (laylat (u) l-Qadr) clbre au 27 me jour du mois de jene de ramadan, les
mariages, les baptmes. Therefore, they are often open all day, until 20 hours after
the last prayer, which means that they are attended by people of different categories:
Koranic schools teachers, students, travelers, rich and poor. Beggars are going to stay
all day to beg, especially during the hours of prayer. This tolerance has allowed
undesirables from attending mosques and commit wrongs against those who go there
to pray. Each time there are flights footwear, motorcycles, etc. Some people also take
it as a place to stay and spend the nights. Thus, morally, they comforted. According to
the chaplain, some patients bring him prescriptions to assist them in meeting

them. Lacking resources, it shall submit these complaints to national and foreign
benefactors, and often, they find satisfaction.
Mosques are also trading venues as they are often close to the markets. The
surrounding mosques in Ouagadougou are occupied by traders of various items. The
Great Mosque of Ouagadougou since 2005 has a new feature for the construction of a
long-floor building to its north side, west and south. The ground floor is intended to
trade. Number twenty nine, shops report much money to the Muslim Community.
Toilets and latrines mosques are frequented by Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as
becoming a public place. Thus, the mosque is a place of many activities: religious,
social and economic run by religious and non-religious people.
III. The actors and managers of mosques
The mosques are managed by several people. There are those that deal with religion
as the Imam, the muezzin, the preachers and teachers, those responsible for
maintaining, monitoring location, to collect the quests and ensure the sound and
lighting.
III.1. The function of imamate
The first character of the mosque is the Imam (the one before), the head. On the
religious level, is the one who leads the Islamic prayer. Which justifies its status as the
first responsible. In every mosque, there is the main Imam; known in the Muslim
environment the following names: the main Imam for francophones, Limam
raatib morephones for Muslims. He is assisted by one or more assistant (s)
referred naa'ib. In Burkina Faso, the main Imam of the Grand Mosque of Ouagadougou
is the "Grand Imam" and senior imams. The first imams attended Koranic schools.The
Imam of the Mosque, hjhhj is a licensee of the Faculty da`wa (Islamic call) of the
Islamic University of Medina .. On this intellectual evolution at the Imams, the
Secretary General of the Movement expresses " we must enable graduates to
develop, we must frame them because we do not forever remain in positions of
responsibility; seven graduate students of the Islamic University of Madinah are
currently Imams from us. " Outside the direction of prayer, Imam performs other
functions: he preaches, baptizes newborns, the seventh day of their birth and also
celebrating weddings. Her mediation is sought in family disputes, neighborhoods or
even national. Thus, the function of imamate beyond religion and therefore, it is more
important and more significant in the eyes of Muslims. Although the imam does not
receive a fee, the title is coveted because it gives the person designated status of
responsibility. This became a consultant in various topics concerning the
community. This situation makes it difficult to be imam. If the mosque is in a private
courtyard, it is the owner who is usually the Imam unless he does not want, or is
unable, because he does not read the Koran. In this case, it refers to himself another
imam. The imams of mosques districts are designated by the Muslims of the
locality. In the Great Mosque of Ouagadougou and Sunni movement, imams are
numerous because they live far from mosques and must also share power to meet
other people and also avoid giving too much power to one person. REPARTTION: At the
Grand Mosque, will have one Grand Imam who leads Friday prayers one (1) imam for
the morning prayer (subh), an imam in the prayer of noon (Zuhr) (from 13:30 to 14h),
an imam in the prayer of the afternoon (`Asr) (between 3:30 p.m. ET 16h), another for
prayers Maghrib between (18h and 6:30 p.m.) and `iaa'u (between 19h 19:30). The
second main function in the mosques is that the muezzin (lndan in Moore
language).
III.2. The function of the muezzin

It is the muezzin that monitors the hours of prayer, called to prayer five times a day at
set hours. Most older muezzins have not attended an educational structure although
they have an important function. Some were at the Koranic school. Because the call to
prayer does not require high knowledge, simply to memorize "has to aan '(the text of
the call to prayer) and' 'iqaamat (u)" (the text of the call for early prayer). Most of
them were poor. Currently, there is an improvement in the life and training
of muezzins. Among young people, There are those who have a high level in studies
acquired in Koranic schools, others have frequented the madrasa to the level of the
terminal. One of the muezzins even Hafiz (one who has memorized the Qur'an), a
level of study that exceeds that of some Imams. This change is explained by the
influence of sermons that show the importance of the muezzin. This is also the easiest
way to be a member of an Islamic association. The function of the muezzin is not
coveted as the Imamate. It is always designated either by the person who financed
the mosque built by Imam or the Muslim community or the neighborhood. In small
mosques, There are usually a muezzin and his deputy. At the Grand
Mosque, Ouagadougou, there are several, one for the morning, one for the two
prayers of the afternoon, one for the last two evening prayers. In the great mosque of
the Sunnis, there is a muezzin in the morning, one in the afternoon and evening. In
some mosques the muezzin takes care of the maintenance of the place.
III.3. The maintenance and the mosque management
The maintenance of mosques is permanent because the place is always crowded. In
small mosques is the goalkeeper who handles the same time of the interview. But in
the great mosques, several people are involved in this activity. At the Great Mosque of
Ouagadougou, three men sweep the prayer room for men and two women take care
of the cleanliness of the women. For toilets and latrines two men engaged than men,
and two girls from women. Every Friday, twenty women voluntarily come clean the
prayer room. At the beginning of Ramadan fasting, men and women come to wash the
mosque. In the rules of Sunni movement, it is said that the maintenance of the
mosque "the responsibility of all the faithful should participate financially, materially
or their advice to the material and ritual cleanliness". So says all the faithful should
maintain and watching the place. As for the monitoring of mosques, usually there is
only one goalkeeper in small mosques because the building is not large, and rarely is
there of valuable objects that can attract burglars. In large mosques, they are many
because there are a lot of activities and various objects. At the Grand Mosque, there
are ten guards: four for the night and six for the day, regardless of the twenty people
trained for security. Among Sunnis, there are two guards, one day and one
night. Children are monitored shoes during prayer times to prevent petty offenders do
come steal them. As for the fund, in most mosques, they are entrusted to a person
and two deputies.Their task is to collect the quests made in mosques and donations
that people come to. As for the remuneration of those who work there, the Muslim
community has planned monthly assistance. This assistance is far from being up to
the services rendered but their faith and lack of alternative income sources explain
their commitment to the service of the mosque. In small mosques, no remuneration
except for the goalkeeper.
Conclusion
The mosque is the quintessential place of worship of Muslims. It is one of the
architectural manifestations of Muslims. Having originated in Medina (Saudi Arabia), it
benefited from contributions from various cultures of the peoples who embraced
Islam, including the Persians, Turks, Asian (South-East) and those of the Greco-Roman
world "In the point that historians have sometimes hesitated, face some vestiges
between Christian productions Ghassanids or Muslim. Islam therefore did not
constitute a sharp break with the ancient traditions. "

The mosque also is a place where Muslims lead a lot of activities: religious,
educational, social and economic. Thus, it is all for observant Muslims. The
unemployed, retirees, merchants and marabouts also meet there to spend their time
and organize various income generating activities. Thus, it is a religious center,
informatio n and trade for Muslims. If it is organized and well managed, it can
generate a lot of financial resources and participate in the fight against poverty.
Sources
Oral sources
Name
BAND
ZOUNGRANA

First name

Function

Ages

Teacher
Mahamoudo
52
preacher.Member
u
years
of the CMBF
Teacher and
Adama
?
Imam

Date
ofsurvey

Place of
survey

20/08/200 Ouagadoug
5
ou
08/07/200 Ouagadoug
6
ou.

Bibliography:
Stierlin, Henri, Larchitecture islamique, Paris, P.U.F, 1993
Ouedraogo, Adama, lenseignement de lArabe et de lislam en pays mossi (Haute
Volta/ Burkina Faso . Thse unique, Universit Paris X Nanterre, 1996
http://www.muslimpopulation.com/
http://www.postcolonialweb.org/