Feature Article on Faith & Form: ‘Substance and Sustenance’ - The Cambridge Central Mosque in earth harmony
‘Substance and Sustenance’ - The Cambridge Central Mosque in earth harmony
Ashraf M. Salama
Faith and Form
Volume 52, Issue 3, 14-19
As a “place of prostration,” the term mosque originates from the Arabic word masjid to denote a religious space or a place of worship for Muslims. The mosque in a non-Muslim context is a symbol, a point of reference that provides a framework under which people of a common belief can unite and interact. Representing a unique or unusual building type, it can be viewed as a construct; a stimulus for developing community spirit and a promoter of collective vigor. Primarily, though, it is considered a container in which universal human values and religious traditions and norms of appropriate human behavior and code of conduct are imparted towards implementation into a wider routine of ethical and moral practices within the everyday social environment.
Muslim communities in Western cultures have evolved into diverse sophisticated groups that range from migrant or expatriate skilled professionals to unskilled low-paid labor. They represent different cultural backgrounds, diverse education levels, and various age groups, and (in principle) form a clientele for mosque architecture that did not exist until a few decades ago. While mosques are designed and built to satisfy the religious needs of these communities, they are also perceived as non-verbal statements that convey messages of presence and a collective psyche. This adds a complex layer to the already acknowledged challenges that constrain the design of mosques in non-Muslim contexts which involve: establishing relevance to the physical and socio-cultural contexts, responsiveness to resistance or pressures from the local community, compliance with building bylaws and regulations of the local city council, and instituting references to symbols and visual traditions of regions where these communities come from. Consequently, the challenge of designing a mosque in a non-Muslim setting is to strike a balance between these aspects. The Cambridge Central Mosque is no exception, as it addresses such complexity into a unique landmark that speaks to its physical and cultural context, contributes a positive dialogue within the wider east-west perspectives, and reminds us of the primacy in Muslim belief of harmony with nature.
As a “place of prostration,” the term mosque originates from the Arabic word masjid to denote a religious space or a place of worship for Muslims. The mosque in a non-Muslim context is a symbol, a point of reference that provides a framework under which people of a common belief can unite and interact. Representing a unique or unusual building type, it can be viewed as a construct; a stimulus for developing community spirit and a promoter of collective vigor. Primarily, though, it is considered a container in which universal human values and religious traditions and norms of appropriate human behavior and code of conduct are imparted towards implementation into a wider routine of ethical and moral practices within the everyday social environment.
Muslim communities in Western cultures have evolved into diverse sophisticated groups that range from migrant or expatriate skilled professionals to unskilled low-paid labor. They represent different cultural backgrounds, diverse education levels, and various age groups, and (in principle) form a clientele for mosque architecture that did not exist until a few decades ago. While mosques are designed and built to satisfy the religious needs of these communities, they are also perceived as non-verbal statements that convey messages of presence and a collective psyche. This adds a complex layer to the already acknowledged challenges that constrain the design of mosques in non-Muslim contexts which involve: establishing relevance to the physical and socio-cultural contexts, responsiveness to resistance or pressures from the local community, compliance with building bylaws and regulations of the local city council, and instituting references to symbols and visual traditions of regions where these communities come from. Consequently, the challenge of designing a mosque in a non-Muslim setting is to strike a balance between these aspects. The Cambridge Central Mosque is no exception, as it addresses such complexity into a unique landmark that speaks to its physical and cultural context, contributes a positive dialogue within the wider east-west perspectives, and reminds us of the primacy in Muslim belief of harmony with nature.
Salama, A. M. (2019). Substance and Sustenance: The Cambridge Central Mosque in Earth Harmony, Faith and Form, Essex - Connecticut, United States, Vol 52 No 3, pp. 14-19.
