Exploring The “Living Mosque”: Usage Patterns, User Preferences, and Functional Expectations in Mosque Architecture

Ahmet Gün

Abstract


Mosque spaces and facilities traditionally serve as places where Muslim communities can pray, gather, and socialize. However, the functional role of the mosque in social life has begun to decline. This study addresses the question: How are mosques currently used, and to what extent do these spaces meet users' expectations? To explore this, an online survey was conducted with 521 participants from Türkiye, examining their usage patterns, preferences, and functional expectations regarding mosque experiences. Additionally, a workshop was conducted to develop strategic-level proposals on the identified issues. The findings highlight a disjuncture between how mosques are currently used and their potential utilization. The study also identifies discrepancies between the priorities of academia and architectural media compared to those of the general community, as well as gaps between the socio-spatial functions offered by mosques and those desired by the public. Notably, only 18.2% of respondents feel that mosques adequately meet their functional needs. Moreover, mosque usage patterns, as well as functional expectations, were found to vary significantly based on users' gender, age, and education levels. The public wishes to experience the mosques as the center of education, culture, and social life. This study contributes to the field by introducing the "Living Mosque" concept, providing a comprehensive analysis of mosque usage and perceptions in Türkiye, and shedding light on the gaps between existing practices and user expectations. It also proposes strategic-level solutions for enhancing mosque facilities, providing valuable insights for future research, and practical improvements in mosque design and management

Keywords


Living mosque; Mosque usage; User preferences; Functionality; Socio-spatial facilities; User experience; Mosque architecture; Türkiye

Full Text:

PDF

References


[1] N. ‘A. Baharudin, and A. S. Ismail. “Communal Mosques: Design Functionality towards the Development of Sustainability for Community.” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 153, pp. 106-120, 2014. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.10.046.

[2] S. Omer. "Some lessons from Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in architecture: The prophet’s mosque in Madīnah." Intellectual Discourse, vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31436/id.v18i1.140

[3] S. Özaloglu and M. Ö. Gürel. "Designing mosques for secular congregations: Transformations of the mosque as a social Space in Turkey." Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 336-358, 2011.

[4] N. Asif, N. Utaberta, A. Sarram, and S. Ismail. “Design Framework for Urban Mosque in The City Of Kuala Lumpur: A Qualitative Approach.” International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 170, 2018. Doi: https://doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v12i3.1586.

[5] A. Kahera, L. Abdulmalik, and C. Anz. Design criteria for mosques and Islamic centres. London: Routledge, 2009.

[6] M. T. H. M. Rasdi. The mosque as a community development centre: Programme and architectural design guidelines for contemporary Muslim societies. Kuala Lumpur: Penerbit UTM, 1998.

[7] A. Mokhtar. “Design standards for Muslim prayer facilities within public buildings”. ARCC Leadership in Architectural Research, Between Academia and the Profession, pp. 163–169, 2009.

[8] K. Piker, “Special Dossier on Mosque Architecture”, in Cami ve Güncel Mimarlık: Bu Konuyu Ne Kadar Tartışabiliyoruz? (Mosque and Contemporary Architecture: How Much Can We Discuss on This Subject?), Arredemento Mimarlık, 2018.

[9] S. Uygur, “Special Dossier on Mosque Architecture”, in Cami ve Güncel Mimarlık: Bu Konuyu Ne Kadar Tartışabiliyoruz? (Mosque and Contemporary Architecture: How Much Can We Discuss on This Subject?), Arredemento Mimarlık, 2018.

[10] N. Utaberta, N. Asif, M. T. M. Rasdi, M. Y. M. Yunos, N. A. Ismail, S. Ismail. “The Concept of Mosque Based on Islamic Philosophy: A Review Based on Early Islamic Texts and Practices of the Early Generation of the Muslims”. Adv. Environ. Biol., Vol. 9, No. 5, pp. 371-374, 2015.

[11] N. Asif, S. Ismail, and M. I. Shaharil. “The Study on the Functıonal Aspects of Mosque Institution.” Journal of Islamic Architecture, Vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 229-236, 2021. Doi: https://doi.org/10.18860/jia.v6i4.11749 p. 236.

[12] H. Mortada. Traditional Islamic Principles of Built Environment. London: Routledge, 2003.

[13] M. T. M. Rasdi, and N. Utaberta. "The design of Mosques as community development centers from the perspective of the Sunna and Wright’s organic architecture." Journal of Islamic Architecture, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-7, 2012. Doi: https://doi.org/10.18860/jia.v1i1.1710

[14] M. Z. M. Taib and M. T. Rasdi. “Islamic Architecture Evolution: Perception and Behaviour.” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 49, Pp. 293-303, 2012. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.07.027.

[15] M. Ariffin, "A critical review on society’s perception on the usage of mosque." Research Journal of Fisheries and Hydrobiology, Vol. 10, No. 14, pp. 38-41, 2015.

[16] S. Omer. Studies in the Islamic built environment. Kuala Lumpur: International Islamic University Malaysia, 2013.

[17] N. Asif and N. Utaberta, Masjid-The Spiritual and Physical Hub for Community Development (First Edit). Kuala Lumpur: WARIS Research Group, 2016.

[18] O. Grabar. “Art and Culture in the Islamic World.” In Islam: Art and Architecture, pp. 40, 2004.

[19] H. Othman, M. Yazid, M. Yunos, and N. A. İsmail. “Issues and problems of modern mosques design in Malaysia: a critical analysis”. Adv. Environ. Biol, vol. 9, pp. 330–337, 2015.

[20] M. D. Niya, N. Utaberta, and S. Maulan. “Significance of the Application of Universal Design in Mosque Buildings in Malaysia.” Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol. 747, pp. 72-75, 2015. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.747.72.

[21] M. H. Masridin, and A. S. Ismail. “Critical Regionalism Approach for Djami Mosque Design Towards the Aesthetics of Sustainability.” Journal of Islamic Architecture, No. 7, no. 2, pp. 220-232, 2022. Doi: https://doi.org/10.18860/jia.v7i2.17135.

[22] D. Tekeli, “Special Dossier on Mosque Architecture”, in Cami ve Güncel Mimarlık: Bu Konuyu Ne Kadar Tartışabiliyoruz?” (Mosque and Contemporary Architecture: How Much Can We Discuss on This Subject?), Arredemento Mimarlık, 2018.

[23] S. Bozdoğan. Modernism and Nation Building. University of Washington Press, 2001.

[24] B. Batuman, “Appropriating the Masculine Sacred Islamism, Gender, and Mosque Architecture in Contemporary Turkey.” In Routledge Companion to Modernity, Space and Gender, Routledge, 2018.

[25] İ. Türkeri, “Türkiyedeki İslam tapınma mekanı tasarımları ve mimari tasarım paradigmalarının mimari proje yarışmaları üzerinden değerlendirilmesi.” PhD Thesis, Gebze Technical University, Institute of Science, 2016.

[26] Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. Türkiye’nin Nüfus Haritası. Accessed at: https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/turkiyenin-nufus-haritasi-10072021. Accessed date: 15.03.2022

[27] H. D. Arslan and K. Yıldırım,“Perceptual Evaluations of Different Period Mosque Facades: Preference, Complexity, Impressiveness and Stimulative.” MEGARON, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 511-523, 2017. Doi: https://doi.org/10.5505/megaron.2017.34635.

[28] F. Z. Sarıhan, “Türk Mimarisinde Cami İmajı Algısı: Biçim-Form Üzerinden Bir Yaklaşım”, Master's thesis, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University, Institute of Engineering and Natural Sciences, 2015.

[29] UNHCR, “Bilgi Dokümanları ve Tablolar”. Accessed at: https://www.unhcr.org/tr/bilgi-dokumanlari-ve-tablolar. Accessed date: 15.03.2024.

[30] A. Gün and A. Çavuş, “Cami Tasarımında Esneklik Yaklaşımına İlişkin Bir Öneri”, XIIIth International Sinan Symposium, p. 541-557. Edirne, Türkiye, 2023.

[31] A. Gün, Cami Mimarlığını Yeniden Düşünmek Düşlemek. ITU Press, 2023

[32] A. Gün, “Mosque for All, Socio-Spatial Inclusion in Mosque Architecture: The Case of Türkiye”. Journal of Islamic Architecture, vol. 8, no.3, pp: 643-660. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/jia.v8i3.27138




DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/jia.v8i4.27627

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmet Gün

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

 

EDITORIAL OFFICE

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Technology
Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang
Jalan Gajayana 50 Malang, Jawa Timur, Indonesia 65144
Phone (+62) 341 558933, Facsimile (+62) 341 558933
e-mail: journal.islamicarchitecture@gmail.com / jia@uin-malang.ac.id

 

 Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.