Site Visit Worksheet

Where I went (address and name): Khadijah mosque, 1019 West Parkway Ave, West Valley City

When I went: Friday, March 17, 2017

Why I chose this site: I was always curious about service in mosque. I heard that this is a beautiful site to
visit.

SECTION 1 Complete this section before attending based on your previous knowledge

Preflection: List 3 of what you understand to be the primary beliefs of this faith tradition.

1. There is one God Allah.

2. There are heaven and angels.

3. Mohammed is a last prophet and Quran is a holy book.

What biases, prejudices or stereotypes do you hold regarding this religion?

Men are

Most of the women are not educated and too much obedient to men.

Women are not opened.

What are your expectations? There is only a large group prayer in the mosque.

Ill be met unfriendly and will be alone and uncomfortable during whole time in the mosque.

The sermon will be strict.

SECTION 2: The Space

Examine the building. Has it been here long? Is it newly built? How does it fit in with the surrounding
community?

The first building was built in 1994. In 2002 the mosque was rebuilt and became much bigger for needs
of growing Muslim community in Salt Lake Valley. The mosque built in the in a poor area of West Valley
City and surrounded by farms, small houses, and Jordan River. This mosque is an adornment of this
area.

What decorated the exterior of the building? What is its purpose?

Decoration of the exterior is simple, but recognizable as Arabic pattern. The mosque has a dome and a
minaret. The dome represents the vault of heaven. Minaret is a tower where from Muslims are called
for prayer. The dome and minaret are decorated with crescent moons. I always thought that crescent
moon is a symbol of Islam, but it is not. It was taken as a symbol by Ottoman Turkish family who ruled
Ottoman empire for hundreds years. The crescent moon has nothing with religion.

What behavior, symbolism or physical traits marks the boundary between the sacred (the
extraordinary) and profane (the everyday/ordinary)?

First of all, men and women are separated in the building. Women were quietly greeting each other. No
shoes allowed in the prayer room. Before every prayer a Muslim must do wudu, a symbolic washing of
hands, face, head, neck and feet. There is a special room in the mosque. During wudu a person must
remember the purpose of washing.

During a prayer nobody talks, all do the same ritual.

What decorated the interior space and what was the focal point?

Womens part in the mosque decorated simply. Big room with a carpet to sit on. Carpet looks like
hundreds prayers rugs laying together to give everybody a space to pray. On the wall there are a few
calligraphic inscriptions of quotations from Quran. There is a glass wall which separate womens space
from mens. You can see a dome, but from the angle. I wondered what the focal point was for women. I
guess the prayer itself, not some physical object.
Did the physical space enhance or distract from the emotional/spiritual experience?

There was nothing what could distract from the prayer in that room. No incents, no noise, no icons, no
bright decorations. Womens part in the mosque is not that big as mens. It makes the space more
comfortable to be in. Group prayer shoulder to shoulder united me with all those women from different
countries. Emotionally and spiritually.

Did you feel comfortable in the space?

I feel comfortable to sit on the floor. Sitting on the floor helped me to relax.

SECTION 3: The Service

What is the name of this service?

Friday noon prayer Jumuah. Friday is a special day for Muslims; this is the Day of Assembly, Happy
Day. This day is special, because Allah created Adam on Friday.

Describe what happened there (the elements of worship (liturgy).

In the beginning there was a preaching in English language. It was about essential to pray 5 times a day,
keep life holy and take care about family members and neighbors. Doesnt matter who are those
neighbors Buddhists, Christians or Muslims.

After preaching there was a prayer in Arabic language. Everybody stood in the lines, shoulder to
shoulder and listened the imam saying the prayer. After some particular words everybody did
movement routine. They repeated it three times.

After the prayer service was over, and everybody began to leave for their businesses, because it was
Friday, working day.

Who participated?

There were about 60 women and six little girls. In the mens part there were about three hundred men
and imam.

What seemed to be the benefit of these rituals?

Group prayer in the mosque unites people. They show their obedience to God and readiness to serve
Him. Also as prayer movements are good yoga exercises.
What were the attitudes of the participants? (fear, awe, love, hope, union, boredom, excitement,
passion etc.)

I didnt see fear, boredom, the same as excitement. I saw love to each other and hope in their eyes.

Were you fully engaged (all your senses)?

There was no outside noise, so I could listen a preaching very well. There was some difficulties to
understand for me, because a preacher Arabic accent and my English-second language. Sitting on the
floor is relaxing, but after some time I began feeling my legs.

In Islamic religion they dont use any incents do not distract from the communication with God. I didnt
smell anything, even fragrances. I kept eyes opened to observe the prayer process. But the absence of
any bright spot in the room helped to not wonder around.

I would be fully engaged if I would know the prayer routine.

SECTION 4: Cultural Identity

In what ways was this religions culture of origin represented?

The building mosque is a special place for Muslim people.

Women and men prayed in separate rooms.

Women were in scarfs.

Prayer was in Arabic language.

What aspects of Americanization did you observe?

Architecture of the building is more simplified. It supposed to be more round and higher.

Using of paper towels and flip-flops after wudu.

The preaching was in English language.

A few women came in work close, like scrubs.

What did you learn about this religions relationship to non-members?

This religion is friendly to non-members. That Friday preaching was about taking care of everybody,
including Christian, Buddhists and Muslim neighbors.

Does this group appear to face any challenges or struggles?

After 9/11 many people in the world blame all Muslims and Islamic Religion. Some people dont trust
Muslims. I believe, they straggle with that. Also recent decision of the president Tramp do not permit
the entrance of any Muslims into the country added to straggle. Salt Lake City government discusses the
opportunity to build houses got homeless people close to Mosque.

SECTION 5: Reflect and Respond

1) Reflect: Were your expectations met? (100 words minimum)

My expectations to be met unfriendly was wrong. I met a kind and nice woman, who helped me to
adjust, go through wudu and explained me all my questions. Even separation of men and women was
good, because I would not feel comfortable been a stranger in the Muslim men presence. Many women
came to me and introduced themselves. Some of them were very educated, some were staying home
moms. Surprisingly, young children were playing around hide-and-seek, quietly though, and nobody
stopped them.

The preaching was in English, so I could understand. A prayer itself was not long. I was listening beautiful
Arabic language, like I was in the different world.

2) Respond: How do you feel this experience will affect you? (100 words minimum)

I began to understand this religion and those people. I want to learn more from the Quran and compare
with the Bible.

I never knew before what Muslims do in the Mosque. Now I know. They learn Christian values and
pray God. Neither Christians, neither Muslims cant say we are different. Our values are mostly the
same. I understand the power of the group praying as a united community. Especially here and now in
such difficult time for all Muslims.

A mosque is a unique place to learn. I want to bring my girls there to introduce Islamic religion to them
in spite they would never be afraid of mosques and Muslim people.