Class Visit to Jame Masjid Mosque
On Thursday 23rd May 2024, the children in Year 6 visited the Jame Masjid Mosque in Aston as part of their RE unit about Islam. Thanks to the kindness and patience of Mr Hussein, we learnt more about the importance of Wudu, a ritual washing to be performed in preparation for prayer and worship , and the significance of the 5 pillars of Islam in the day-to-day life of all Muslims.
Wudu Room:
Prayer is fundamental in Islam. This clock tells Muslims when to pray to Allah. We were told that the red clock face is the only time at which Muslims are forbidden to pray, as this is the 'devil's time'.
Within the main prayer room, Mr Hussein explained the significance of qiblah wall, which faces in the direction of Mecca; the mihrab, the place where the Imam prays; the minbah, traditionally 3 steps which from which the sermon (khutbah) is delivered; and the significance of the 3 piece soft Arabic writing on the qiblah - Allah (the one true god is Islam), Muhammed (the prophet) and the phrase 'No god but Allah. Mohammed(pbuh) is his messenger'.
Mr Hussein showed us the Quran, in 3 different sizes, and talked about how this book must not be placed on the floor as it contains the words of Alla, so it is sacred and special. Muslims place the Quran on a rihal, a wooden stand made from one piece of wood; derived from the Arabic word rahl (رَحْل) meaning "camel saddle", referring to the resemblance of the unfolded lectern to a saddle.
Mr Hisseiin also showed us some prayer beads, which are used as a tool by which Muslims perform the dhikr, or pronouncements in remembrance of Allah as instructed by the Holy Quran. The rope of prayer beads is a kind of abacus used to help memorise verses from the Quran or, more commonly, to keep track of the recitation of the 99 names of God. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims’ intimacy with their prayer beads gets closer.