Visiting your local mosque is an opportunity to begin to build understanding and friendships with the Muslim community. It is also an opportunity to mobilize others to love their Muslim neighbors. Below are some things to consider as you plan a visit to your local Muslim mosque.
Research mosques in your area to set up a visit
Google “mosque,” “masjid,” or “Islamic Center.”
Contact them through their website or Facebook page to set up a visit.
Ask if you and a few friends could visit the mosque.
Most Muslims are more than willing to show you their place of worship and answer any questions.
Muslims are very hospitable so if you don’t get an immediate response keep trying. Mosques don’t have regular office hours during the week like a church does.
Wear modest clothing
Men should wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. No tank tops.
It is preferable for women to wear long sleeves and loose fitting pants or a long skirt.
Generally mosques don’t require women to wear head coverings, although some may.
When you set up the mosque visit, ask them what men and women should wear.
Show respect by following some mosque etiquette
Most likely there will be separate entrances into the mosque for men and women.
You will need to remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
Certainly there will be separate prayer rooms for men and women.
There will be separate areas for men and women to wash before entering to purify themselves for prayers. You will not be required to wash.
Be sure to turn off your cell phone, don’t talk loudly, and avoid taking pictures.
Remember, it is disrespectful to walk in front of someone while they are praying.
Men do not shake hands with women. Often it is best to nod your head and put your hand over your heart when greeting.
Observe and pray personally
Friday noon prayers, known as “Juma Prayers” (Juma means Friday in Arabic), are like Sunday morning worship for Christians. This prayer time is the most well attended prayer time during the week.
You will hear the call to prayer followed by a message given by the Imam.
Muslims will be shoulder to shoulder as they follow the Imam in the congregational prayers.
There will be a lot of kneeling and bowing during prayers.
You will be able to observe from the back or side of the mosque. Many mosques may have seating for observers. You are not a Muslim so you should not participate in prayers.
You may want to pray for those Muslims you observe, asking God to reveal Himself to them.
Visiting your local mosque is an opportunity to begin to build understanding and friendships with the Muslim community.
Meet with the Imam or other senior leaders in the mosque
After prayers are finished most Imams will meet with you or have another senior member of the mosque meet with you to ask questions and learn about what you have just observed.
Feel free to ask questions. This is a time to learn about Islam and get to know Muslims. It is a time for initiating friendships, not a time to argue. (If someone has to lose an argument to come to Christ how many Muslims do you think will come to Jesus?)
They will already assume you are Christians. If they ask why you are visiting the mosque, a good reply is that Jesus told us as Christians to love our neighbors, and the first step to loving your neighbor is getting to know them.
Debrief and Prayer
Meet together as a group after your visit to debrief your experience and pray for those you met and for other Muslim unreached people groups. You can debrief your time with the following discussion points.
Discuss how you were affected by what you saw and heard today. Explain.
Fill out the Biblical worldview and Muslim worldview chart below based on what you learned today. Discuss the Muslim worldview as a group.
Discuss strategies for presenting the gospel to a Muslim.
Pray with new insight for Muslim unreached people groups. You can pray for Muslim unreached people group cards at the Joshua Project website and by watching a Prayercast video.
Follow up your visit
After your chat with the Imam or senior leader of the mosque, you may want to ask if you could visit again and bring others to observe prayers.
This meeting is an opportunity to begin to build understanding and friendships with the Muslim community.
It is also an opportunity to visit again to mobilize others to love their Muslim neighbors.
