Visitors are welcome to visit our mosque throughout the year. Our mosque is not only a place of worship, but is used as a community and education center as well. Non-Muslim visitors may wish to attend an official function, meet Muslim community members, observe or learn about our way of worship, or simply admire the Islamic architecture of the building.
Below are some guidelines that may help make your visit both respectful and pleasant.
When to visit?
Our mosque is open during the times of the five daily prayers and may be open for additional hours for community events. Some days we have special visiting hours set aside for non-Muslims who wish to learn more about our faith.
Please email info@mckinneymasjid.org to setup a date and time for your visit.
Entering the Mosque
Before entering a prayer area, you will be requested to remove your shoes. There are shelves provided outside the door to place them on.
During prayer, visitors should not talk or laugh loudly. Mobile phones should be switched to silent or turned off. The congregational part of the daily prayer lasts between 5-10 minutes, while the Friday noon prayer is longer as it includes a sermon. Visitors will be guided to sit quietly in the back of the room to observe the prayers.
When meeting Muslims for the first time, it is customary to offer a handshake only to those of the same gender. Many Muslims will nod their heads or place their hand over their heart when greeting someone of the opposite gender. It is advisable to wait and see how the person initiates the greeting.
What You Should Wear
We request both male and female visitors to observe a simple, modest dress code such as long sleeves, and either long skirts or trousers which should not be tight or transparent. Neither men nor women should wear shorts or sleeveless tops. Visiting women are encouraged to cover their hair with a scarf or hat, although the gesture is not required.
What You May See and Hear
A mosque prayer hall (musalla) is a bare room covered with carpets or rugs. People sit on the floor; there are no pews. For elderly or disabled community members, there are chairs available. There are no sacred objects in the prayer room, other than copies of the Quran which may be along the walls on bookshelves.
As people enter the mosque, you may hear them greeting each other in Arabic: “Assalamu alaikum” (peace be upon you).
At the times of the daily prayers, you will hear the call of the adhan. During prayer, the room will be quiet except for phrases in Arabic that the Imam and/or worshipers recite.
Before entering the room, you may see worshipers doing ablutions if they did not do so at home before coming.
What People Will Be Doing
During prayer, you will see people standing in rows, bowing, and prostrating/sitting on the floor in unison, following the leadership of an Imam. You may also see people making these movements in individual prayer, before or after the congregational prayer.
Outside of the prayer hall, you will see people greeting each other, gathering to talk or watching the children play.
Enjoy Your Visit!
When visiting, it is not essential to be overly concerned with the details of etiquette. Muslims are usually very welcoming and hospitable people. As long as you attempt to show respect for the people and the faith, small missteps or indiscretions will certainly be excused. We hope that you enjoy your visit, meet new friends, and learn more about Islam and your Muslim neighbors!
Huda. “Etiquette Tips for Visiting a Mosque as a Non-Muslim.” ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/etiquette-of-visiting-a-mosque-2004463.
