Good practice highlights
- functional and modern space – keeping the mosque relevant to the community
- innovative use of technology to allow safe and secure access at any time
- positive building of relationships with wider, non-muslim community
- inclusive nature: women in decision making process, crèche facilities and disabled access
Masjid Al-Hikmah in Aberdeen is a new mosque that opened in 2018. The first thing that strikes you about the Masjid is the unique urban design of the building, which is also reflected in the modern interior.
The thing that makes this Masjid stand out is the instrumental input and involvement of women in the strategic thinking of the design and facilities of the Masjid, which was in part constructed by a woman as well as the name being chosen by a woman. This has led to the inclusion of a dedicated crèche area as well as a kitchen, large meeting area and office attached to the women’s prayer area.
The foundational aspiration of the Masjid has been to be inclusive and representative of the whole family unit in a practical and functional way. This has translated rather wonderfully in finding the male and female spaces offer the same facilities.
You won’t find fancy chandeliers and decorative art in the Masjid – but what you will find are useful and needed features, like the use of app based technology to allow 24-access for anyone requiring the use of the Masjid in a safe and secure way. In addition, you will find a fully equipped disabled access lift as soon as you enter the women’s side of the Masjid.
You will also not find anyone using buckets for fundraising at this Masjid. As part of its design, a ‘silent’, non-aggressive fundraising wall, as well as contactless pay stations, have been added to each prayer area. This allows anyone at anytime to not only donate, but to specify exactly how they want their money to be used whilst being able to visually see targets and milestones that have been met and those yet to be met. There is also a weekly feedback initiative online which is used for development.
Their website is very professional, intuitive and informative. The facilities section clearly states they have congregational space for women and crèche facilities at Jummah.
The attention to detail really makes this Masjid truly inclusive and accessible for the entire community, Muslim and non-Muslim. This is clear to see in their commitment to opening another building to house their sports programme ‘Urban Fields’, local blood donation drives, neighbourhood watch and health checks for the community at large.
The active involvement of all facets of the Muslim community from representation in its governing structure to a thoughtfully designed practical, functional and modern space has allowed this Masjid to become a true example of how smart leadership can be transformed into a truly forward thinking and innovative project. Their vision is towards development of their community emphasising a strong family environment. The website and the welcoming spaces in the mosque are all conducive to a family and female friendly environment.
Email: info@masjidalhikmah.org.uk, Website: www.masjidalhikmah.org.uk
Date of visit: September 2018
The thing that makes this Masjid stand out is the instrumental input and involvement of women in the strategic thinking of the design and facilities of the Masjid, which was in part constructed by a woman as well as the name being chosen by a woman. This has led to the inclusion of a dedicated crèche area as well as a kitchen, large meeting area and office attached to the women’s prayer area.
The foundational aspiration of the Masjid has been to be inclusive and representative of the whole family unit in a practical and functional way. This has translated rather wonderfully in finding the male and female spaces offer the same facilities.
You won’t find fancy chandeliers and decorative art in the Masjid – but what you will find are useful and needed features, like the use of app based technology to allow 24-access for anyone requiring the use of the Masjid in a safe and secure way. In addition, you will find a fully equipped disabled access lift as soon as you enter the women’s side of the Masjid.
You will also not find anyone using buckets for fundraising at this Masjid. As part of its design, a ‘silent’, non-aggressive fundraising wall, as well as contactless pay stations, have been added to each prayer area. This allows anyone at anytime to not only donate, but to specify exactly how they want their money to be used whilst being able to visually see targets and milestones that have been met and those yet to be met. There is also a weekly feedback initiative online which is used for development.
Their website is very professional, intuitive and informative. The facilities section clearly states they have congregational space for women and crèche facilities at Jummah.
The attention to detail really makes this Masjid truly inclusive and accessible for the entire community, Muslim and non-Muslim. This is clear to see in their commitment to opening another building to house their sports programme ‘Urban Fields’, local blood donation drives, neighbourhood watch and health checks for the community at large.
The active involvement of all facets of the Muslim community from representation in its governing structure to a thoughtfully designed practical, functional and modern space has allowed this Masjid to become a true example of how smart leadership can be transformed into a truly forward thinking and innovative project. Their vision is towards development of their community emphasising a strong family environment. The website and the welcoming spaces in the mosque are all conducive to a family and female friendly environment.
Email: info@masjidalhikmah.org.uk, Website: www.masjidalhikmah.org.uk
Date of visit: September 2018