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YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
06/14/02 at 16:15:39
[slm]      Hey wassup family?  I saw a thread on the sister's side talking about ideal seating arrangements for lectures in mixed settings.  It got me to thinking. And I am the kinda brother whose in to design, architecture, some interior deco stuff, but to get to what I want to discuss.  What would your DREAM MASJID LOOK LIKE?  You don't have to give like, descriptions for days, but what would you want to have in it?  Think about when you walk into your masjid currently and you think to yourself "Man if we only had a "insert thing that would really set it off at the mosque here".  I'll kick it off with one thing I think we need and I might get booed for this but I think it's crucial.   A dome that covers the musullah only , that blocks out ALL EXTERNAL CELLULAR AND WIRELESS TRANSMISSIONS.  I say external because I just wanna block the stupid cell phones from interupting my salah, but I think in the near future you could see an imam giving a speech using a wireless tablet via the masjid's wireless LAN. It would connect him to the web for quick references.  So you tell me, WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM MASJID, have and look like? thanks. - PS I work at a wireless software company, so that's the first thing to come to mind.
06/14/02 at 16:18:31
The_Naeem

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
sofia
06/14/02 at 17:00:04
As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah Is this q just for the bros? Cuz I know u'll get the sisters' perspective, so I'll start, iA... [Mabrook to u & Z on ur new addition, btw] -Separate entrances for brothers and sisters (to the masjid and musallah).  Preferably entrances that are *not* all the way in the boondocks for the sisters. Brothers' entrances where they have to enter from the sisters' side (and even worse, from the back of the sisters' musallah) is a big no-no. Unfortunately, very common, not that Muslim architects plan it that way. We just end up buying former churches or houses for masjids a lot, it seems. -In the sisters' section, separate rooms for sisters with kids.  I cannot begin to enumerate the positives of this, particularly when the brothers' section is so remotely far away that the Imam couldn't hear the screams and shorten the khutbah/salaah even if he wanted to.  Not that I mind kids, it's just a whole different world on the sisters side, and any measures to quite the noise is a step in the right direction. -Somewhat related to the other thread: preferably a divider, but *not* one that extends all the way, so that there is no complete cut-off of communication between the sisters side and the Imam. I really think this is vital (not that anyone should be talking/asking questions during jumu'ah, but in other situations, it's necessary). -In one of the masjids I used to attend in western NY, the sisters' section was upstairs, and the musallah was on a big, wide balcony, partially overlooking the brothers' musallah, where everyone could see the Imam.  I thought it was architecturally the best built masjid I had seen (not too fancy, but very practical), masha'Allah.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
lightningatnite
06/14/02 at 17:50:41
[slm] I think what would be really cool is a fulltime office for a social worker/cool person that could hookup young members of the community and resolve all those millions of problems we have with our youth...deen problems, dealing with issues we face in this non-Muslim society.  Also, a room with a huge flatscreen TV dedicated full-time to live broadcasts of awesome islamic events, classes from zaytuna, etc...

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Kashif
06/14/02 at 17:55:12
assalaamu alaikum Yep, i'm with lightning about the social worker. I'd have an office for a social worker; even if we could only employ one who could deal just with women's issues. Also, i'd have a gym and a football pitch.. to provide an alternative for Muslim youth from the clubs on Friday & Saturday nights & have young social workers mingling with them. Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Barr
06/15/02 at 02:05:24
Assalamu'alaikum :-) I wish masjids could be more friendly to those who are old and handicapped/ wheelchair bound. The design of masjids seem to usually forgo these aspects, when we are supposed to be an ummah who makes it easy for others. Allahua'lam :-)

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Kathy
06/15/02 at 09:21:48
[slm] Attatched to the masjid- a gigantic apartment complex- so we coul all live near by and not have to worry about transportation. I would also like seperate fitness centers- equipped with pools and tennis courts.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
boy
06/16/02 at 03:17:10
we need some revolutionary architecture. why use domes and minarets when they are obsolete? isn't that just wasting money? there need to be more indiginized architectecural mosques like the one in new mexico.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Al-Basha
06/16/02 at 20:22:16
[slm] Are they really obsolete though? Think of this: The masjid in Alhambra Spain had no speaker system, no electronics what so ever yet the imam was able to deliver the khutba to thousands of Muslimeen on Friday. How? Well sound travels rather quickly and if you look at the dome design you'll realize that the sound waves bounce off and everyone is able to hear properly, so much for advanced micro electronic systems ;) I was also told that the Muslimeen had developed steam based technology way before they were in wide spread usage in the european empire. Pretty amazing stuff, subhana Allah. [quote author=boy link=board=bro;num=1024085739;start=0#6 date=06/16/02 at 03:17:10]we need some revolutionary architecture. why use domes and minarets when they are obsolete? isn't that just wasting money? there need to be more indiginized architectecural mosques like the one in new mexico.[/quote]

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Asim
06/17/02 at 00:37:37
Assalaamu alaikum, Hmmm.... * shoe racks immediately after entering the door with a bench in front of them. The bench basically should divide the passageway so that the other side is not made dirty with shoes. * a large jacket storage place * maybe coin operated lockers for keeping bookbags, cellphones, etc. * adequate wudu and stuff facilities after the entrance and before the musallah region. * a good library with tables and chairs just off the prayer room. * parallel design for sisters and brothers on each side of the prayer room. * a lobby area that connects to the sisters and brothers entrances. * a means of paging a sister or brother from the lobby. Like an electronic display that shows the name of the brother/sister in the respective regions. Maybe a sound can be added to the display. (this is major problem in the masjid here, with brothers banging on the sisters door and confused sisters trying to get in touch with someone in in the other side) * good lighting at all places, including the lobby, passageways, bathrooms, and parking lots. * pleasant and contrasting interior decor. * handicap friendly, as Sr. Barr mentioned. Ramps, handrails, elevators, good lighting, clear passageways, well organized prayer room with well marked prayer lines, maybe a side location for those who pray in wheelchair, chairs, accessible facilities, large print Qurans and translations, etc. These are simple things but unfortunately most masjids don't care about them. * A multipurpose activity room, maybe on the other side of the lobby. A close apartment complex would be awesome for building a community. And yes, a full time employee is essential at the masjid. Oftentimes a new person has no clue whom to contact for questions or problems he/she might have. Wasalaam.
06/17/02 at 00:49:44
Asim

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
AyeshaZ
06/17/02 at 13:30:15
Asalamu Alykum, MashaAllah some very good ideas. I think also its essential to have a welcoming committee , so as soon as a person new to Islam walks in the main enterance she/he is welcomed. I have seen it sooo many times reverts or new members to the masjid standing alone  :(.  A full-time functioning Islamic school attached to the masjid. A masjid always filled w/ muslims never empty or locked.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
06/17/02 at 16:14:56
SAlaams Man asim you are on the money. Please tell me your studying architecture or something.  This was exactly what I was looking for when I posted this.  But I also love the other ideas, of the services that the people are saying are greatly need.  Boy, is that you asad?  You sound like a friend of mine.  And I agree to a point.  Let's not throw away all old masjid designs, but let's build a place that has an American style of what a masjid should look like.  The one in new mexico is an excellent example.  But I really love the ideas Asim had.
06/17/02 at 17:11:58
The_Naeem

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
zeyn
06/17/02 at 19:19:16
salam naeem nah boy is not asad..but he might as well be him they are so alike in personility it is scary.. zeyn p.s. boy that is asad from miami naeem is refering to..

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Al-Basha
06/17/02 at 21:48:14
[slm] Does someone have a picture of this masjid in New Mexico? Speaking of pictures of masjids, check this out: http://wwwusers.brookes.ac.uk/99045778/mqkwold.htm Has anyone been to the masjid in Isfahan Iran? That's such a beautiful masjid Masha Allah. I love the architecture on that.
06/17/02 at 21:51:09
Al-Basha

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
06/18/02 at 12:02:17
Salaams   Thanks Zeyn, that comment did sound  like something asad would say.  But I think asad is more like,  use the old concepts and improve upon them.  And plus I know asad loves that masjid in New Mexico. ;-)
06/18/02 at 12:26:57
The_Naeem

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
boy
06/19/02 at 15:42:43
its not that i'm against old styles...its just i find it ridiculous that we waste money on building fake domes and minarets when they could be going to much better causes like giving more space for the women or putting in a library. and yes im my own man eer boy.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
06/19/02 at 15:57:57
[slm]    Ok I agree with the waste of money, when there are other avenues that could be ventured.  But in the case where money is not the limiting factor.  And I guess I come back to the dome thing.  We don't have to have it, But I'd like to see one as dome slash skylight, now this is where you'll probably be able to tell I'm not an architect, but just a stary eyed dreamer.  This skylight\Dome would be made of glass and steel, the Dome would have like an exo-skeleton that is hexagoganle shaped, like a honey comb. The honey comb openings would be filled with glass that could have some shading to block some sun so you wouldn't burn up in the summer, but be very clear in the evenings to allow for natural moonlight to illuminate the masjid.  The exo-skeleton would be a stainless steel, and work to BLOCK CELLULAR COVERAGE, in the musallah alone.  What do you think?

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Nazia
06/19/02 at 16:48:36
slm, [quote]The exo-skeleton would be a stainless steel, and work to BLOCK CELLULAR COVERAGE[/quote] Orr...you could just build your masjid in the woods, and it probably wouldn't get cell phone service anyways/anywhere in the masjid!  ;) I think ample parking is an important issue.  How many times have you guys headed out after jumma, walking briskly, trying to make it to work/class, only to see some late comer who couldn't find any parking parked right behind you!  On this issue, I understand that all the parking may be taken, but if you KNOW that you've blocked someone in...don't sit and chat with all your buddies, eating shawrmas and drinking sprite!  First go move your car after the salat/announcements, and then chat/mingle whatever.  Anyways, I ramble. I think a gym/multi-purpose room for the kids is nice!  My old masjid back in my hometown is building this exact facility.  Unfortunately, I won't be there to see it  :'(  Though, you should check it out when you go Naeem, I heard its progressing nicely, Alhamdulillah. Ok that's all for now, Take Care, Wassalam, Nazia

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
dirt
06/20/02 at 05:49:31
[slm] Hmm, everyone has added great points to this topic.  Adequate Prayer area, parking, women's section, children's section, playground, and learning facilities are all things that would be great.  But the thing I would like to see is a fully integrated community surrounding the masjid.  From homes filled with muslims, to parks and shops run by muslims.  This would be great and living where I do...I've never seen it.   I hear all these stories of people from muslim countries telling me how things are when EVERYONE is muslim and I think it would be great to have at least a little piece of that in the US. [wlm]

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
06/21/02 at 10:47:08
[slm]      Nazia I am a city boy so my masjid couldn't be in the middle of the woods.  I'd have to live in close proximity to the masjid.  And to answer dirt, you know that muslim community thing your talking about.  We're doing that in my city.  A group of families choose a neighborhood and bought houses.  They setup a musallah for people to pray and have classes.  This inshallah will grow into that community which you speak of.  Currently we have like over 50 families and it's growing like crazy.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
jannah
06/23/02 at 06:31:45
[slm] My dream is to have an awesome library in the Masjid. Like a Barnes & Noble almost.. with cushy chairs and sofas plants...warm decor.. and tables and chairs and a little children's section with all kinds of books, especially all the new awesome one's that have just come out in the last few years.. Also, a nice high tech conference room with leather chairs and a big boardroom table.. with a powerpoint projector for meetings. And while we're at it hmm an ideal classroom with whiteboards, nice tables and chairs that anyone could use for their classes. i mean i've been to just too many islamic classes that are totally not a classroom environment! like sitting on the floor for hours or ppl coming in and out in the musallah, screaming kids, sitting in little kid chairs... etc there's a reason people invented classrooms!! it's amazing to me that we spend millions of dollars on making our masjid's pretty but then there's no real functionality. masjid's of today have to be islamic centers with all these things the muslims need. and then there's this problem that we keep building these big beautiful (empty) mosques but then we don't have any money to do any programs. i think a major amount of the mosques budget should go to programming, advertising and, hosting speakers, seminars..making fliers...doing youth programs etc... well anyway that's another topic :)

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
M.F.
06/26/02 at 15:30:32
Jannah, I think you're thinking of a university, but with a really big really good prayer area ;) I think the library, classrooms etc might be a good thing to have in a sort of Islamic community center, not as part of the masjid itself.  My ideal masjid is a huge very quiet prayer room (musallah) with the women's section upstairs on a sort of, umm... balcony, or loft? where they could look down and see the imam.  A huge carpet covering the floor. The Islamic community center would be next door.  But I think the Musallah should be in a building by itself, just to keep that   ... aura.. in the masjid, if you know what I'm talking about.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
jannah
06/26/02 at 18:52:03
[slm] hmm We don't really have just plain "masjid's" here in the West.. It is really too expensive to build two separate buildings. Most of the Masjid's built are Islamic centers as well.  It would be nice to have an Islamic university too but we don't have anything like that either, and I'd like the library in the Islamic center so anyone could access it, kids, mothers adults.. students etc.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Kareema_Abdul-Khab
06/29/02 at 03:23:59
One more thing:after witnessing several incidences of people begging for money outside a masjid, it would be very nice if a masjid would open its kitchen at certain times for those really in need, or at least provide guidance to those places that provide food, shelter etc. This could be part of their regular charity programs, and it would make me feel like less of a scrooge when I (or my father)turned them down(actually, I didn't have any cash on me at those times). You probably would want to put this into a seperate building, that way you could go the whole way with not only food, but shelter, medical advice/care and employment help. To have all this in an halal way would be very nice for the Muslims, and we could also open this to the public. I know ob one masjid that has a free medical clinic right in front of it! I guess what we ultimately are looking for is more than a place to rest our heads on in sajda, a place where the whole Islamic lifestyle comes alive  :-X

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
07/01/02 at 09:55:57
Salaams,      I really like the ideas that are comming off this post and I hope people keep them comming.  Maybe someone building a Masjid soon can incorporate something from this thread.  We'll be building a masjid soon and I am passing some of your input to the brothers working on it.  It's sad no one likes my honey comb, cellular blocking, skylight, dome idea. Oh well.     I was really feeling the idea of the masjid that is solely a musullah, I think we are doing that in our community.  I think communities that have the money should setup a psuedo muslim district.   A number of buildings each with specific purposes.  THey don't all have to be built from the ground up.  I think the phenomena in America is that of reuse of older structures.  Coverting old homes into islamic learning centers, musullahs, clinics, libraries, and day care facilities.  This not only cost effective, it cuts down on urban sprawl.  The route one masjid in New Jersey(sorry I don't know the name but that's what we call it) is and excellent example of a emerging muslim district.  They have a plot of land which they are erecting multiple buildings for multiple purposes, some will even be living quarters.      But I will say this last thing, the most important thing I think for a musullah\masjid is that it has to be within walking distance of the people.  Building a masjid in the middle of nowhere and expecting people to drive 45 minutes for daily salah is rediculous.  It dosen't meet the needs of muslims that are suppose to be making their daily salah in the masjid, and it ahienates the non-muslim community from the muslims as well.
07/01/02 at 10:00:00
The_Naeem

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
BrKhalid
07/01/02 at 13:02:19
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]But I will say this last thing, the most important thing I think for a musullah\masjid is that it has to be within walking distance of the people[/quote] Also cuts both ways because more should make the effort to live nearer to the Masjid.

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
siddiqui
07/01/02 at 13:04:02
[slm] The mosque in Poughkeepsie/Wappinger falls where Br Faisal aka litiningatnite Nikah took place is my idea of a local community mosque [wlm]

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
jannah
07/18/02 at 01:44:57
ok I found this awesome picture of what my library would look like: [img]http://www.arrum.co.uk/place/lib.jpg[/img] and here are some other awesome stuff for our new virtual mosque: http://www.arrum.co.uk/caravan.htm

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
07/18/02 at 10:50:44
[slm]     Jannah, of my Allah, how did you find this place?  I just went to their web site, I wish we had something like that in the states.  Hey any of our buddies across the pond know anything about this, Arrum Club.  I would totally hang out there all the time.  Man beyond that, I'd love to start one of those in DC\VA area.   I think it would go over quite well.  I've never seen anything like that come from the muslim community before.  Well maybe I shouldn't speak so boldly since I've only visited their website.  But if anyone knows about this place, tell me more.  I'm waiting.  And thanks for the head up Jannah.
07/18/02 at 22:25:58
jannah

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Ruqayyah
07/18/02 at 12:12:49
[slm] Wow :o We need a jaw dropping smiley just for this! That place looks amazing! I agree w/ you bro Naeem, who needs another (or 2nd or 3rd) Starbucks, when you could have a beautiful place like this! and a quiet place to pray complete w/ a mosaic water fountain!! sigh, i want to go to london! [wlm] Ruqayyah

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
deenb4dunya
07/18/02 at 12:58:40
Salam All, I'd have to say that the most important 'part' of the masjid is THE IMAAM!! Even if you have a nice building and islamic centre- if the imaam isn't motivating the masses, creating change...nothing else will matter. And even if you have a little masjid that is too small, not fancy or anything (even if its kharaab), if the imaam is tight with the community, if he taches and motivates them, and if the community is striving for jannah...what else matters?! DEEN

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
Khuram
07/24/02 at 02:07:40
Salams folks Some things i would love to see in the ideal masjid would be: - have a beautiful dome and minaret.  They are the foundation of Islamic architecture when it comes to masajids.  Syed Hosein Nasr has written an awesome book in which he talks about this very aspect. i do belive that its called 'Islamic art and architecture.'. -i would do away with the divider for sure.  most people have come to belive that its part of our deen that there should be complete seperation between men and women.  but it is not so.  thinking that it is part of the deen, is bida and aught not to be done.  Shaykh Bin Bazz wrote something on this as well (surprising huh).  and no balcony.  most of the sisters that come to my masjid are old, and its not fair to make them climb a flight of stairs for no reason at all.   -there should be a library in the complex.  solid oak bookshelves and tables with high back chairs and individual lighting on each table would be a must.  The very first command to the PRophet  was the read, so lets at least revive it! -there would a open foyer in the enterence, with a fountain and lots of plants.  the old masajids in the mid east and sub continent that i have been to have such majestic fountains, it leaves the person in awe. -there should be a conference area or a media relation area where we can have our press releases.  with wakkos still roaming the earth, we'll be called on time after time to defend our religion. so lets do it with a naturistic back-drop. -we should have a mini-masjid for the younger kids, where they can go and be kids!  lets face it... kids will be kids.. and they'll jump around and make noise.  so lets make a room thats similar to the prayer area, but for the little folks. -a projection area, so we can have powerpoint presentations for all the people to see.  and TV screens so that people who can't see the imam from up close can at least see him.  Omar masjid in syria has this and its awesome. well thats all i can write for now.  i'll add in some other stuff when my brain regains itself. khuram

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
jannah
07/24/02 at 16:05:33
[slm] which one is omar mosque? well another cool thing they have in syria is that once or twice a week the women have a sisters only kind of thing and they basicially come in and TAKE OVER the masjid.. so the shaikha sits in the imam's place and all the women are in the "men's" prayer area.. i thought it was pretty amazing... even if the sisters have events here we're always stuck in the tiny woman's area... we should also have some shops around our virtual masjid.. like halal meat.. clothes.. books etc...maybe even an open air market :)

Re: YOUR DREAM MASJID
The_Naeem
07/25/02 at 16:34:18
Salaams,    I just came back from the masjid in Huntsville, AL.  They're building an extenstion for multi-puposes, indoor basket ball , and classrooms.  But even with this extension if you ask me, the nicest part of the masjid is the outdoors.  If you take the time to walk thr grounds, you'll see beautiful, flowers, bushes, fruit trees, herbs, and the grass is like the kind you find at a golf course.  So I think part of the "dream masjid" would need a lushous garden to remind people of paradise.  And I love the fountain idea, water is a very precious commodity to the Muslim ummah, and has lesson's in it if we reflect.
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