Musalla facts for kids
A musalla (pronounced moo-SAH-lah) is a special open area, usually outside a mosque, that Muslims use for prayer. The word comes from the Arabic word sallā, which means "to pray." It's a place where people can gather to perform their prayers, especially when there are too many people for the mosque or for special events.
What is a Musalla?
A musalla is often a large, open space without a roof, though sometimes it might have a simple shelter to protect people from the sun or rain. It's designed to be a clean and peaceful place for prayer. Unlike a mosque, which is a permanent building, a musalla can be a more temporary or flexible prayer area.
Why are Musallas Used?
Musallas are very useful for several reasons:
- Large Gatherings: For big events like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers, many people gather. A musalla provides enough space for everyone to pray together.
- Convenience: Sometimes, a musalla is set up in places where there isn't a mosque nearby, like at an airport, a school, or even a large public park. This makes it easier for Muslims to pray at the correct times.
- Simplicity: A musalla can be very simple, sometimes just a designated clean area on the ground. This shows that prayer can happen anywhere that is clean and suitable.
Musallas Today
Today, you can find musallas in many different places around the world. They are often found in:
- Airports: Many international airports have dedicated prayer rooms or musallas for travelers.
- Shopping Malls: Some large shopping centers provide musallas for shoppers and staff.
- Universities and Schools: Campuses often have musallas to accommodate Muslim students and faculty.
- Workplaces: Some offices and businesses provide musallas for their employees.
These modern musallas might be indoors and look more like a small room, but they serve the same purpose: a dedicated space for prayer.
Images for kids
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Fatihova Musalla, an outdoor musalla.
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A musalla section within a multi-faith prayer room at Hong Kong International Airport.
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