Moskeijat

Moskeijat are houses of worship used by Muslims. They serve as places for daily prayers and, especially on Fridays, for the Jumu'ah congregational prayers. Beyond worship, mosques frequently function as community centers that provide religious education, charitable activities, social support, and cultural events.

Architecturally, a mosque typically includes a main prayer hall oriented toward the Qibla, a mihrab marking the direction to Mecca, and often a minbar from which sermons are delivered. A minaret is a common feature in many mosques, though not universal; in some regions the call to prayer is announced from inside or via other means. Facilities for ritual cleansing (wudu) and for ablution are usually available, and many mosques provide separate spaces for women, as well as classrooms, libraries, and meeting rooms.

Historically, mosques originated in the Arabian Peninsula and evolved through numerous regional styles. As the Muslim world expanded, mosque architecture blended local traditions with core religious elements, giving rise to Ottoman, Persian, Moorish, Indian, Southeast Asian, and modern contemporary forms. Functionally, mosques have long served as centers of learning, jurisprudence, and community administration in addition to worship.

Most mosques are organized as non-profit religious communities, often managed by boards, volunteer committees, or charitable endowments (waqf). They rely on donations, membership dues, and grants for maintenance, staffing, and education programs. Governance and activities are shaped by local laws, community needs, and interfaith engagement.

In Finnish usage, moskeija is the term for a mosque and moskeijat is the plural. Around the world, moskeijat reflect diverse cultures while sharing the core purpose of providing a place for Muslim worship and community life.