What's that rising above the rooftops in the Lowfield district of central Sheffield? And then another one popped up as I walked along nearby Staveley Road. Are they blunt-nosed space rockets? Perhaps they are giant pepper pots.
No my friends - it's the Madina Masjid Mosque. It was completed in 2006 at a reputed cost of £5 million. This money was raised by the local Muslim community and there is apparently no truth in the rumour that they received generous donations from Saudi Arabian benefactors.
Mosques rising above English rooftops. It has become a familiar scene in many large northern towns and cities - from Rochdale to Rotherham and from Bradford to Blackburn.
By the way, a mosque does not have to look like that. Islamic teachings say nothing of significance about mosque design. The Madina Masjid Mosque looks as if it has been flown over from Riyadh or Jeddah and lowered into position.
I have never seen any women entering the mosque - only men, Why should that be? After all, in our dwindling Church of England congregations women are frequently predominant. They stand and sing side by side with men - as equals.
I like the look of that mosque. It's colorful. I'm no expert but I think it's typical for men and women to worship in separate parts of a mosque or at different times. I haven't heard of a mosque where women can't enter at all -- I think it's just a matter of keeping genders separate. But as I said, I'm no expert!
ReplyDeleteHang on mate. You were in Morocco for two years.
DeleteYeah, but I never went in a mosque the whole time I was there. In general westerners aren't allowed to enter Moroccan mosques.
DeleteI looked up the gender segregation thing, and apparently women don't enter some mosques. In others, they pray in a separate space or behind a barrier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_gender_segregation#In_mosques
(I should clarify when I say "westerners" I mean non-Muslims.)
DeleteThe clarification came too late Steve. You are now on the "Most Wanted Infidels" list.
DeleteMosques do absolutely nothing for me...so I'll not pass further comment...
ReplyDeleteThey have your number already Lee.
DeleteYes....I and I have theirs, Yorkie!
DeleteYou said, "I'll not pass further comment..."!
DeleteI didn't say I'd not pass further comment on your further comment, Yorkie.
DeleteAre those towers minarets?
ReplyDeleteI think they are what your great leader would call "fake" minarets, No imams ever climb to the top to call people to prayer.
DeleteIf the Romans had not come to Great Britain so long ago, England would not be what it is. Humans do tend to move and take their culture with them and this is just how our species is. It is all part of the great tapestry of our existence, I suppose.
ReplyDelete"Suppose" being the operative word here but you are right about The Romans... and then we had the Vikings, the Normans, the refugees from countless European wars. It is indeed a tapestry.
DeleteThat roof top scene just looks so bizarre to me.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you have reacted in that way Sue. It is exactly why I took the first two pictures.
DeleteLess said and all that..
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
You are already on the list Briony. (lol)
DeleteThey probably look at us and wonder why the women are so active in religious activity. All people have to become more knowledgeable of the others.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't the England that I once knew Red.
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