The Importance of Upgrading Mosque Furniture and Accessories

Abstract

A Mosque is the heart of the Islamic architecture. Since the dawn of Islam until now, mosques are still considered one of the most important places and facilities for Muslims. Muslims gather for prayer inside the mosque five times a day, where a mosque purpose is not only for worshiping, but also as a meeting point for Islamic social and intellectual activities that usually reflect religious identity. Indeed, Muslims are doing all their best to preserve and maintain their mosques as an overarching privilege that enhances their religious, social and cultural interactions. Despite the unlimited number of mosques all over the world and the noticeable increasing interest in developing their architectural, structural, fundamental elements, there is a less interest in developing, modernizing and updating the mosque furniture and its accessories. Accordingly, this research paper mainly focuses on clarifying the importance of developing these furniture and accessories that meet the physical and psychological requirements of the mosque visitors (worshipers) as these items and accessories enhance and improve worshipers’ experience inside mosques. In a sequential manner, the paper is a brief for the evolving role of the mosque (from ancient times until today), and then explains its value as an Islamic architectural beacon. The paper goes into depth in diagnosing and discussing significant needs for updating mosque furniture and accessories, by highlighting weakness or shedding light on what is not available. In this context, the researcher presents and discusses many contemporary design paths for mosque furniture, in addition to clarifying many different ideas for accessories by presenting drawings and details of many design ideas for contemporary mosque furniture (Footwear shelving system, locker system, chairs …). Moreover, it is highlighting some contemporary ideas for various accessories, such as: The Holy Quran reading holder and the central chandeliers in the mosque.