Our mosques have lost a sense of spirituality. This is primarily due to the fact that they have been changed and modified in the past couple of years. Youngsters lacking discipline and cleanliness disturb prayers by playing and having fun without anyone reprimanding them and telling them to behave. Adults can sometimes be seen going to mosques in their pajamas. Personally, I believe it to be very shameful for a person to leave home wearing pajamas. Imagine how shameful it must be for a person to come to the House of God, where people worship, in such attire?
Shocking ring tones of every type go off during prayers. Youngsters bring cell phones without any due consideration or respect for the sanctity of mosques and without making an effort to turn off their cell phones. Some mosques have posters and leaflets stuck on the walls and doors in a chaotic way giving one the feeling that they’re in a shopping mall.
As for the toilets and ablution areas, the best way to describe them is that they really are not very clean. And if we were to take into consideration the design and interior decorations, then we would find that they usually lack a vivid sense of harmony and taste.
To be fair and honest, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments might not be able to fully support and supervise the Kingdom’s 73,000 mosques according to set standards. It takes a lot of effort and hard work. Therefore a committee must be created in each neighborhood to take charge of managing the mosques. The committee could raise money from worshippers to finance and maintain their local mosque.
Four months ago, I had the opportunity of praying the Juma (Friday prayer) at a mosque in Addis Ababa. On arriving I was more than surprised to see well-dressed volunteers from the local community came across as extremely friendly. These men sat at the entrances and corridors of the mosque as stewards. They kept an eye on people making sure visitors placed their shoes in the right place. In the main prayer hall they would direct people to try filling empty spaces at the front before sitting at the back. They would also ensure people complete an entire row before beginning a new row.
Our mosques are the houses of Allah where we pray five times a day. Mosques need to be idealistic places where a sense of discipline, cleanliness and beauty are incorporated. Why don’t we, as worshippers, take care of our mosques just like we take care of our houses, offices and resorts?
