Facilities provided at Medina Mosque categories in to 3, which are Mosque Facilities, Activity Center and Visit & Tours.
Mosque Facilities
The Main Hall is one of the primary features of the mosque and is the most widely used area within the Mosque. All of our congregation are familiar with this particular area as it is where Muslims attend regularly for their five daily prayers. There is a dome within the Main Hall which acts as a centrepiece of the hall. The Mosque is under construction and once complete there will be a display chandelier under the dome. The minaret is also accessible from the Main Hall and this is where the Muedhin announces the Call to Prayer (Adhān). The minaret is under construction and when complete it is hoped will be accessible to visitors.
The Main Hall features an arch (Mihrab) known as the Qibla wall. This wall faces towards the direction of the Kaa’ba in the city of Mecca and indicates the direction Muslims must face when praying to Allah (SWT). There is also a pulpit positioned beside the Mihrab, from where the Imam addresses sermons and lectures, this is known as the Minbar. Copies of the Holy Qur’an in various languages are also situated along the Qibla wall.
The Main Hall is carpeted throughout with a richly decorated carpet which was specially designed and manufactured for SMMTL. The carpet design is designed for each individual to have their space during prayer. The carpet is always kept clean and no shoes can be worn on the carpet. There are numerous pillars to support the structural design and arch shaped green tinted windows lining the Mosque Main Hall. The hall is centrally heated using an underground geothermal heating source. The Main Hall, like the rest of the Mosque, hosts a network of speakers for the amplification of lectures and prayers. The Main Hall is also equipped with a projector and large white screen.
The Main Hall has a capacity of 1,000 to 1500 people which is about the average turnout on a busy Friday. During the main two festivals of EID the mosque has to resort in two separate congregations as to accommodate the large number of people which and not all be accommodated in one congregation.
The ground floor hall serves multipurpose use. The hall is carpeted with the same carpet used in the Main Hall and also has a mihrab. In smaller congregations this hall is used for prayers during the day, the hall also used for different events such as marriages, lectures, meetings, children Islamic classes and so on. It is also a reception room for visitors and school groups and serves as the Mosque’s main function hall. The hall provides a projector screen and fully audio integrated facilities. There are also book shelves with various Quran translations in different languages and a large collection of hadith (sayings of the prophet).
This area, known as the utility hall, also doubles up for functions and services similar to the ground floor Prayer Hall. It is referred to as the utility hall as it is where very young children’s education classes are held. This hall is also used for dinner events that take place and used daily during the month of Ramadan to serve food at the end of the daily fast routine for 30 days.
The utility hall has a large plasma screen which displays the projection from the ground floor hall. This screen is used to display functions which are held in the ground floor in which case the ladies will be seated in the utility hall to preserve their privacy.
In times when the prayer service is being delivered in the main prayer hall the women will use the downstairs ground floor hall.
The utility hall lead’s us into the kitchen area.
This is a facility for the washing and storing of the deceased. According to Islamic law, the body of one who has recently passed away must be buried within 24 hours. Most bodies are washed, stored and prepared by the local Muslim funeral service before being brought to the Mosque for funeral janazah prayer. However, sometimes it is preferred by close relatives that the Mosque takes the responsibility of pre-burial preparations, in which case SMMTL funeral services will handle all until the burial is complete. The Mosque caters for the washing of bodies and for their cold storage after which the Mosque provides an Islamic funeral prayer service for the family, friends and relatives of the deceased.
This is a quiet, partitioned area where individuals may study and read literature on subjects of their choice. We have a good selection of books on Islam in English, Arabic and Urdu as well as leaflets, booklets and magazines on various religious and community topics. Students also use the library for revision and curriculum educational studies. To use the library, please arrange an appointment with the head imam at the Mosque. The library is currently being re-organised and systematically restructured so that it is more user-friendly and can serve greater purpose for the local community. The library access is from the main prayer hall upstairs
The Mosque provides two main areas for worshippers to make ablutions before prayers. Ablution is the act of preparation and self-cleanliness carried out before Muslims stand in prayer and obedience before the Allah (SWT). A Muslim prays five times a day therefore one has to remain pure throughout the day.
There is a wash area for male worshippers and a wash area for female worshippers, both of which are completely equipped with basins, toilets, stools and wash taps and relevant toiletries. Hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation are maintained throughout our wash areas accordingly. Both wash areas are at opposite end of the Mosque so that the men and women when conducting ablution do not see one another or cross each other. There are also two entrances to the Mosque and during busy time one entrance is for women another for men.
The picture above illustrates the current refurbishment of the kitchen area. SMMTL are expanding the kitchen area and utilising the space to accommodate guests and kitchen staff without disturbance.
The entrance to the kitchen is from the Utility hall. The kitchen is used by Mosque staff and individuals or groups hosting religious functions. For such occasions, the use of the kitchen must be booked in advance.
The kitchen is heavily used mostly during Ramadan. Every day during the Month of Ramadan the Mosque provide a daily Iftar before the Maghreb prayer for all that attend the Mosque to break their fast with dates, water and food provided by the local Muslim community and thereafter pray in congregation.
The kitchen has all standard appliances and fittings and we ensure that all facilities within the kitchen are at the correct standard of hygiene and safety as required by British law. We try our utmost best to encourage this measure amongst all users of our kitchen area.
The Mosque has its main office on the ground floor left to the entrance inside the mosque.
The most recent addition to our facilities at the mosque. The lift is for use by those who require such assistance. The lift is mainly used by the disabled or those who cannot comfortably use the stairs. The lift covers the ground floor level and is accessible from the main entrance area and it travels up to the first floor, opening at the hall way of the Main Hall.
The lift is regularly checked to ensure that is in appropriate working order but has an alarm and an electronic air vent, should there be any unexpected problems.
We aim to ensure that our facilities do not fall into that category of restriction. The Mosque endeavours to provide facilities that are available for all, regardless of their medical conditions and constraints.
For drivers with disability, there are disables car parking spaces in both our forecourt car park and our main car park situated right beside the Mosque. However, it is requested that all disabled users clearly display their disabled badges to prevent a ticket or a fine. Cars without badges have no right to park in disabled parking spaces. Any car parked in a disabled bay without a clear badge on the windscreen may be fined up to £100.
Frequently asked questions:
I am Muslim can I park and go shopping?
NO. Car parking facility is only permissible if you are using the Mosque facility for prayer or function, or you have been given a parking permit by the Mosque management committee for any special reason.
I got a clamp what should I do?
If you car has been clamped you will need to contact the relevant company displayed on the boards situated at the front and side of the Mosque. You may be liable to a fine or clamp release fee, please note that the Mosque cannot intervene and the matter will have to be resolved between the car owner and parking Security Company.
There are two main external features of the Mosque which project the Muslim community across the Cty. They are the stunning green dome which sits at the top of the Mosque building and a small minaret which once complete will be towering above the dome and visible across the City centre. The dome, which is made from fiberglass, is green in colour and designed to be maintenance free. The colour of the dome was chosen to reflect the dome of the Prophets Mosque in Saudi Arabia The dome is a feature that is commonly associated with Mosques in many countries although it has very little religious significance.
The dome at its peak is crowned with a gold coloured crescent moon, a symbol largely associated with Islam and new beginnings. The minaret, however, is from where the Muezzin would traditionally announce the Adhān, the call to prayer to everyone on the local area. This call is still declared by the Muezzin from the minaret but by way of an electronic audio system located at the base of the minaret which then amplifies the live broadcast across the Mosque building and outside via speakers. In the UK the minaret does not serve its purpose to announce the Adhan aloud in speakers but the design is symbolic and come to represent Muslim Mosque around the world and recognizable from a distance of the being of a Mosque.
There is limited access within the minaret as it is not complete. Once the minaret is fully erect one standing in the peak of the minaret would be able to see most of the new city centre buildings and landmarks. The Muslim will also get a feel of how the Adhān would have been made during the time of the prophet.
Prayers take place before sunrise, just after midday, mid-afternoon, just after sunset and after dark. The timings vary from day to day because they depend on the position of the sun. For cleanliness, Muslims take off their shoes and wash before praying. They always pray in the direction of Makkah.
Congregational prayers are completed with dua which is done in the congregation and individually.
Activity Center
The hall is based within the Mosque grounds and external to the actual Mosque building. It is where official meetings are held by the Mosque management as well as official engagements. It is also where Mosque officials meet with external bodies including inter-faith bodies, the police, community groups, international guests and other organisations and/or individuals. The room has a number of tables, chairs, projector screen, TV and a small kitchen.
The hall is also available for use for community activities and functions by bona fide community organisations and/or individuals, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, national origin, race and faith of the membership of the applicant organisation.
How to Book:
If you would like to book the community hall for a meeting or function then please refer the following document and complete the application form included in Appendix 1. You can return the completed form by post or email to secretary@medinamosque.org.uk.
Download the Activity center Usage Terms and Application form
Visit & Tours
Visiting Southampton Medina Mosque – SMMTL is one of the most recognised religious buildings in the city of Southampton. Resulting in vast numbers of people visiting the mosque every year. The mosque has a special Guest Book which visitors have been signing; all visitors are encouraged to leave their messages about the mosque in the book.
SMMTL is open to visitors throughout the year. We receive a large number of visitors from schools, colleges and universities wishing to find out more about the workings of a mosque and the Islamic faith for projects and studies.
We also have a number of faith-based groups, organisational visits and tourists who visit the mosque. Most visits are booked via the main office and in writing. We must have notice of at least two weeks for a visit so that we can make the necessary arrangements. City-visiting tourists may drop in without prior appointment.
A normal visit consists of a quick fire exit evacuation procedure, observation of prayer, a tour of the mosque building, PowerPoint presentation and a Q&A or discussion session if requested. Light refreshments and worksheets are also provided for younger visitors. The presentation can be tailored to meet varying levels of knowledge. This is managed by our Imams (priests) at the mosque and volunteers from Muslim community.
How to book a visit or tour?
To book a visit, please download our handy ‘Visitors Guide’. This contains information on what to expect during a visit and our contact details.
Protocols & Etiquetts at the mosque
Dress Code
- Both men and women should dress modestly when visiting the mosque.
- or shorts are prohibited dress inside the mosque for both genders
- Females should cover their head with a scarf and male visitors with a hat, these can be provided by the tour guide.
Prayer Hall
- Shoes should be removed before entering the mosque and placed in the rack provided.
- Please observe quietness during prayer.
- Avoid walking in front of worshippers performing their prayers. (Worshippers who miss the designated prayer time may come to complete their prayers later, and so may be in the mosque when you visit.)
- Food or drinks are not allowed in the prayer hall.
Safety
- Please take care of your belongings at all times. Do not leave any valuables unattended.
- All children must be accompanied by their parents / guardians.
- Any items left behind without prior agreement may be removed and destroyed.