Mosques |
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The mosque (masjid in Arabic) is a place of worship for Muslims. Additionally, the mosque is a place to study the Qur’an and to meet other followers. In Ras Al Khaimah, the mosques are built within walking distance from the residential areas, and all of the inhabitants can hear the muezzin’s call for prayers (azan). Since February 2009, in Ras Al Khaimah City there is only one centralized system of azan, but in other places each mosque has its individual muezzin. Mosques are always built to face Mecca, and the mihrab, a praying niche of a mosque, indicates the direction. Before entering a mosque for a prayer, Muslims must wash their hands, face, head, legs and feet, which symbolically purifies them. Therefore, most of the mosques have ablution stations or a fountain in the courtyard. The floor of a mosque is usually covered with carpet; apart from the minbar (a pulpit used for sermons in a mosque), it is uncommon to find any furniture inside. Any pictures and statues are strictly forbidden, because it may distract worshippers from Allah.
In many mosques, there are separated sections for women, because it is considered inappropriate for women to pray alongside men. There are also mosques reserved for males or females only. Characteristic domes and towers called minarets are familiar features and can be spotted around any settlement in the Emirates. Interestingly, tall tower minarets have no tradition in this region and were introduced only in the 20th century. Therefore, the older mosques of Ras Al Khaimah will not have these distinctive towers. The best examples of traditional mosques in the Emirate are the old mosque in RAK City and the mosque in the Falayah district, used in the past by the Qasimi family.
The largest and one of the most decorative mosques in Ras Al Khaimah is Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan, who is remembered as the founding father of the UAE. Similar or identical mosques were also constructed in other towns of the UAE.
The majority of mosques are Sunni mosques. 95% of them are funded or subsidized by the government, while the remaining 5% and all Shia mosques are private.
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NOTE: in Ras Al Khaimah and other emirates, only Muslims are allowed to enter a mosque (except for Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai and the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi).
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