The Gallipoli Mosque

Where was it?

Auburn

What did you see and do at the Mosque?

We sat in the main hall of the Mosque, where prayer takes place, and were given a background to the Muslim religion by a Muslim woman. This included their traditional beliefs and information  about the mosque.  Before we entered the Mosque we had to remove our shoes and step onto a mat to ensure we were not contaminating the sacred grounds of the mosque.

What did you learn? Identify major items/facts.

I learnt about the different aspects of the Muslim religion including traditional rituals and beliefs. I learnt that women wear Berka’s  to respect God and stay focused on their religion only, without the distractions of appearance and beauty that the modern women of today face. I learnt about the different functions of the mosque including the Quibla wall in which points muslims in the direction of Mecca. Inside this wall is a semi circular niche called a mihrab. I also enriched my understanding of the regulations of prayer within the Muslim religion; Muslims must pray five times a day at different times and lengths. Every Friday, the men must stop what they are doing and go to a Mosque service where a sermon takes place. The Mimbar, a staircase inside the mosque, is where prayers are read from by the Sermon and conveys the idea that they are always one step down from Allah, their God and worshiper.

What you gained from the experience?

I gained the insight that Muslims are deeply passionate of their religion and respect God deeply. This is shown through their prayer, in which is a vital part of their religion and is taken very seriously.