National Open Mosque Day
USCMO is honored to present National Open Mosque Day. Open Mosque day is a special event where mosques across the country open their doors to the wider community, inviting people of all faiths and backgrounds to explore and learn about Islam. It provides a unique opportunity for individuals to visit mosques, interact with Muslim community members, and gain insights into Islamic traditions, practices, and values.
We urge all US mosques to join National Open Mosque Day. Local mosques like Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, New York Majlis Ash’ura Leadership Council, and Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago have already joined our campaign. Organizers are advised to include civic engagement alongside programs about Islam. Amidst rising anti-Islamic sentiment and detached political leaders, Muslim Americans must engage in the civic arena to shape a better future for ourselves and our children.
Open Mosque Day aims to foster interfaith dialogue, promote cultural exchange, and build bridges of understanding and friendship between different communities. It serves as a platform for dispelling misconceptions, promoting tolerance, and nurturing a spirit of inclusiveness, where people can come together to celebrate diversity and embrace shared values.
Open Mosque Day Planning Tips
- Prepare a list of potential invitees with the enthusiastic support of the management team and fellow members of the Mosque.
- Let your imagination soar and don’t restrict yourself when brainstorming potential guests!
- Give notice well in advance, considering everyone’s busy schedules.
- Ensure that your key invitees receive personalized invitations that outline all the exciting details of the open day.
- Follow up with a warm and personal phone call to extend a heartfelt invitation.
- Muslims around the Mosque
- Non-Muslims who live around the Mosque
- Faith communities, which have religious centers in the neighborhood.
- Police or police community officers
- School teachers and children
- District leaders
- Imams from the other Mosques in your area.
- Mosque committee members of other Mosques
- Fire department officers
- City and County officials
- Community voluntary agency leaders
- Women’s group leaders Muslim and non-Muslim
- Political party representatives
- Youth leaders
- Business leaders
- Members of the deaf community (make sure they come with a sign language translator)
- Counselors and advice center representatives
- Homeless center representatives
- Charity organization representatives, e.g. Islamic relief, Helping Hand, ICNA Relief, etc.
- Religious leaders from other faith communities
- Representatives from cultural groups
- Hospital representatives
- Hospice or retirement center representatives
- Doctors, dentists, maternity and outpatient clinics, NHS/Trust leadership
- Use our media release and customize it for your event. Send to the local print and broadcast media, sharing the wonderful happenings at your Mosque.
- Utilize your Mosque notice board and internal newsletters to ensure that the Mosque open day receives ample publicity within your own community.
- Extend the invitation to other local houses of worship, including churches and temples, as well as reaching out to nearby Mosques and their esteemed leadership.
- Don’t forget the power of digital!
- Update your website with event details and clear instructions for those who wish to attend.
- Include the contact information of the responsible individuals who can provide further assistance.
- Create a Facebook event and share with your friends and family.
- Have friendly greeters at the door to direct arriving guests and to make them feel welcome.
- Ensure knowledgeable, friendly volunteers conduct tours of the facility and answer any questions as they arise.
- Be prepared to discuss the Mosque and the religious rituals you carry out.
- Make sure sisters are available to make female guests feel welcome.
- It is important to brief all those involved with the open day in advance of your guests arriving.
- Consider giving a presentation or welcoming speech at the beginning of the event to create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Greet your guests before they enter the mosque and share Mosque etiquette via handouts. Remember for some of your visitors this will be the first time they have been in a Mosque and they may well have some misconceptions about etiquette and customs.
- Have name tags & markers ready so guests can write their own names to feel comfortable.
- Be ready to answer questions about prayer, separation of men and women and other common issues
- Have signs from where guests may park their car to the designated entrance of the Mosque, especially if you have separate entrances for males and females. Many of them have never been to a Mosque before and may be nervous of offending their host.
- Some guests may not wish to follow the official guided tour and wish to explore the Mosque on their own and take time to ponder on what they are observing, give them space and do not hurry or force anyone.
- Provide a translator for when the adhan (call to prayer) is heard or when the Salah (5 daily prayers) is conducted. This can be a very moving and deep experience and a responsible person needs to be on hand to explain the rituals and their significance in Islam.
Upon Entering:
- Kindly remove your shoes.
- Men and women are encouraged to dress modestly, just as one would entering any other place of worship.
Inside the Mosque:
- Maintain a quiet and serene atmosphere within the mosque. Ensure that mobile phones are turned off, refrain from chewing gum, and avoid bringing food or drinks inside.
- Avoid walking in front of someone who is praying.
- Join friends and community members in appropriately designated areas assigned to men, women, or children.
- Embrace a learning mindset
By following these friendly and inclusive approaches, we can make the Mosque Open Day a truly inviting and memorable event for all. Let’s join hands and spread the warmth of our community, welcoming everyone with open arms.
Remember to send pictures from the event, including the mosque’s name, city, and state, to info@uscmo.org. Tag us on social media so we can reshare!
Click to download Media Advisory Template. This template will help you reach and inform your local media about your event.
WHYISLAM – www.whyislam.org – Provides concise literature on Islam
FURQAAN FOUNDATION – www.furqaanfoundation.org – Provides
Islamic literature and translated copies of “Clear Quran” to the public
- GAIN PEACE – www.gainpeace.com – provides concise literature on Islam
History of Mosques
The mosque, masjid in Arabic, is the Muslim gathering place for prayer. Masjid means “place of prostration.” The five daily prayers prescribed in Islam can take place anywhere, it is encouraged to pray at the mosque and all men are required to gather together at the mosque for the Friday noon prayer. Mosques are also used for study, rest and reflection.
The home of the Prophet Muhammad is considered the first mosque. His house, in Medina in modern-day Saudi Arabia, was a typical 7th-century Arabian-style house, with a large courtyard surrounded by long rooms supported by columns. This style of mosque is known as a hypostyle mosque which means “many columns.” This style has been used for centuries by Muslim architects as a nod to the rich history and importance of the Mosque.
SOME COMMON FEATURES OF MOSQUES INCLUDE:
A symbolic representation of the vault of heaven. The interior decoration of a dome often emphasizes this symbolism, using intricate geometric, stellate, or vegetal motifs to create breathtaking patterns meant to awe and inspire.
A niche in the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca, towards which all Muslims pray.
