Is It Okay For A Non Muslim Person To Go To A Mosque Uninvited?

[anon1990]

Just curious about this because I am contemplating converting to Islam?

[Old_Geezer]

I have no idea of normal practice but can not see why not. Surely places of worship would be open to all ?

[jomifl]

Just rember that it is a one way trip...

[maggiebee]

Why don't you just turn up and ask? Visited a mosque as part of our city's "Open Doors" day a couple of years ago. Fascinating.

[jno]

I don't see why not, though it will depend on the individual mosque. Go to one and see if you get in, as with a church.

You may need to learn Arabic to study the Koran.

[gness]

Just curious....when you know so little about Islam why are you contemplating converting?

[sir.prize]

I'm also curious . . . converting from?

[jomifl]

If you are looking for a sense of identity by converting you may achieve the opposite and lose what free will you have too.

[ChillDoubt]

Tip: I don't know your location but would suggest you give the one at Finsbury Park a wide berth.

[boxtops]

Yes, it is. You need to abide by the conduct and dress rules in order to make a visit. It might be helpful to contact the local Imam, or if you have a local Muslim Community group, to meet like-minded people who can then help you to make the visit.

I have worked in the past with the New Muslims Project who are based in Leicestershire - they field loads of enquiries from people interested in learning more about Islam (before they convert, or like you, undecided), they hold open weekends and "make up your mind" workshops - I'd say contact them if you'd like to know about what's going on in your local area, they will know people more local to you. http://www.newmuslimsproject.net/ well worth a look.

[boxtops]

jno is partly right - if you do convert, the prayers are all in Arabic but you can get translated versions of the Koran, which many people prefer. You only need to read it in Arabic if you really want to!

[Khandro]

Going to a mosque is no problem, though you should have someone to guide you so as not to offend by inappropriate procedure, are you male of female, for example.
No need to answer, but I am intrigued by why you are contemplating this as you appear to not be very knowledgeable about Islam. 'Conversion' means changing from one religion to another, do you have a present religion?

[boxtops]

People do use the term "conversion" meaning "to take up" the religion - although Muslims would call this "reverting", since they believe that everyone is born Muslim and choose to take other faiths. Many British "converts" thus call themselves reverts.

[jno]

oh, is that right, boxy? I think all the Muslims I know do read Arabic, so I hadn't realised it wasn't necessary.

[boxtops]

Yes, jno - obviously it's liked if you can read Arabic (and I'd think that most born Muslims would learn in in the madrasa when they go to study at the mosque), but I have an English translation of the Koran on my bookshelf here, with my other comparative religion stuff. The Arabic original is said to be the most pure language of the Koran - they say that when it's translated into other languages, the reader loses a lot of the nuances which are in the original text.

[ludwig]

// you should have someone to guide you so as not to offend by inappropriate procedure //

It's easily done. I caused a stir by jumping up and down in one recently. I'd mistaken it for a bouncy castle partly because of all the shoes lined up outside.

[naomi24]

I’ve visited many mosques uninvited.

//People do use the term "conversion" meaning "to take up" the religion - although Muslims would call this "reverting", since they believe that everyone is born Muslim and choose to take other faiths. Many British "converts" thus call themselves reverts.//

That’s right – even though they were unaware of it Moses was Muslim, as was Abraham – and Jesus – and everyone else throughout mythology and history - and it’s a good indication that Islam is abject nonsense.

[society]

"Is It Okay For A Non Muslim Person To Go To A Mosque Uninvited?"

Just know that you have to remove your shoes. And women worship separately from men.

[boxtops]

...I'll add "and cover your head and arms and wear a long skirt" to that.

[naomi24]

//Just know that you have to remove your shoes. //

.... and in some instances, you have to pay to get them back.

[boxtops]

Really, naomi? Not encountered that - I've seen that people just leave them outside, or pop them in a shopping bag and carry them with them, if they think they might not find them when they come out!