"Noisy" Mosque

This is my five cents which has been hidden in my own mind since I was mature enough to criticize and compare. Having no intention whatsoever to be pro or cons towards any religion, I just bring about what I have been experiencing in my entire life. Any readers finding my writing as an offensive material; please accept my sincere apology.

I find it very difficult to come across solemn ambience in the mosques, particularly the ones I have visited at. It is often times annoying and diminishing the holiness of the rituals being served in the mosque. You may have experienced a moment of Friday praying when kids’ voice is louder than the sermon’s. Chatting is sometimes not enough to them, they play around as if the mosque was their playing park.

The situation is completely different compared to other religions’ worshipping premises, which are very quiet yet sacred. I believe it is neither about the design nor architecture of the compound. The ornaments or embellishment have nothing to do as well to it. I perceive this phenomenon as the discrepancy in regarding worshipping premises. In Islam, mosques are the centre of human’s activities. It is not only a building at which moslems conduct their prayers. Mosques are the meeting point, knowledge sharing centre, schools, dormitories, social rehabilitation centre, and many more at the same times.

The way mosques are introduced to the children is by taking them to the mosques as if the mosques are their own house, at which self-comforting behaviors are okay, and tolerated. In addition, parents have such a thought that kids should be introduced to the mosques at young age, to build their loveliness to the mosques. In other sides, some religions           bring up their religious premises to kids as a sanctified and respectful area. In terms of frequency, having five-times-a-day visit to the mosques, compared to once-in-a-week-or-more visit will bring different impression towards sacredness of worshipping premises.

Both perceptions are true according to their own values, but do you think that there is something we could do about?, when Friday speech is nothing but listening to the kids yelling while playing hide and seek?.

I believe there is a way of overcoming this situation. It does not necessary mean that kids are kept in distance to the mosques. There is a possibility of conducting a “special” Friday praying congregation for kids? It should be cheering, enjoyable, yet knowledgeable. Time may be rearranged, as they are not obliged enough to conduct the real congregation. This is aimed at preparing them to participate at the real ones, once they get older. In this “preparation class”, they might be taught how to properly behave inside the mosques. The roles of adults are also expected to be assistive to this effort: leading by examples. Having a power nap or stereo chit-chat at the mosques in between praying times is showing to kids how disrespectful adults are to the premises.

Anyhow, I miss a sacred and holy ritual while having Friday praying, but I am not brave enough to take an action. Maybe this writing will show how I have been thinking about this, and some people will comment, criticize, curse, or perhaps get inspired by this.