The role of the mosque in the Kurdistan community development

Abstract

Mosque has been a central institution with multiple functions in the social life of Muslims throughout Islamic history. In Kurdistan today, the functions of mosques have been restricted to religious activities related to prayers and mourning ritual only. This study will analyze why the mosques in Sulaymaniah city has not been utilized fully and what are the perception of the people in the city regarding to the functions of mosque and its new roles in the modern Kurdish community. The study is conducted in Kani Kurda neighborhood of Sulaimaniyah city which currently have two mosques. The data used in this study is based on questionnaire survey of 207 respondents in the neighborhood. Statistical techniques like descriptive analysis, cross tabulation and chi square test were used to analyze the survey result. The study shows that generally the respondents did agree that the mosques in the study area had not been optimally utilized and have potential to play more roles in the community. The results of the study indicates that people’s willingness to use mosque for what they perceived to be religion related activities such as Islamic based education (Quran classes, lecture on Islamic topics, formal Islamic education), Islamic cultural shows, parenting class, and solving family issues. They also favour using mosques for administration and judicial purposes, but are afraid that other activities that might belittle the sanctity of the mosque as a place of worship. Among activities that they are not favour are utilizing mosque as a place for business activities, teaching “non-Islamic subjects” such as Arabic, English, skills training, places for elderly activities and other meeting place. This reflects the local culture and values of the Kurdish community with regard to utilization of mosque related to narrow concept of “religion activities”. The findings clearly show that the function of mosques could be expanded from its existing function as a place for prayer and mourning ceremony only. The function of the mosque as place of the community development and service centre that are not related to religious activities require more exposure to the Kurdish people.