Re: Standardization for place of worships
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 10:45 pm
My preference for what it's worth ...
(1) Masjid <placename> - where "Masjid" is really part of the place-of-worship name, hence Friday prayers are performed there, and "placename" the location of the Masjid such as "Kg Baru", "SS6" or similar. AFAIK, all the states "Jabatan/Majlis Agama" would not allow a place to be called Masjid if it doesn't do Friday prayers.
(2) Surau <placename> - for all other Islamic place-of-worship that do not have "Masjid" as part of their name. Such places may or may not do Friday prayers (yes some Surau do Friday prayers, one good example is the Surau at Tabung Haji building near KLCC). Other than "Surau" such places may also be called "Madrasah" (has teaching facilities), "Musalla" (small prayer place) or "Wakaf" (common on Plus highway small layby area).
The most common use of the above POIs for muslims are ...
(1) To find the nearest place for Friday prayers, in a section of a town (KL say) his not familiar with. Can search "Masjid".
(2) To find the nearest place for normal daily prayers. Can in addition search "Surau".
I don't prefer to use "Mosque" because it doesn't differentiate Masjid and Surau. Also all muslims (English, Malays or others) recognize/understand Masjid. Surau is more common used in Malaysia. Musalla (or just plain prayer place) is more common in other countries such as UK and India/Pakistan.
(1) Masjid <placename> - where "Masjid" is really part of the place-of-worship name, hence Friday prayers are performed there, and "placename" the location of the Masjid such as "Kg Baru", "SS6" or similar. AFAIK, all the states "Jabatan/Majlis Agama" would not allow a place to be called Masjid if it doesn't do Friday prayers.
(2) Surau <placename> - for all other Islamic place-of-worship that do not have "Masjid" as part of their name. Such places may or may not do Friday prayers (yes some Surau do Friday prayers, one good example is the Surau at Tabung Haji building near KLCC). Other than "Surau" such places may also be called "Madrasah" (has teaching facilities), "Musalla" (small prayer place) or "Wakaf" (common on Plus highway small layby area).
The most common use of the above POIs for muslims are ...
(1) To find the nearest place for Friday prayers, in a section of a town (KL say) his not familiar with. Can search "Masjid".
(2) To find the nearest place for normal daily prayers. Can in addition search "Surau".
I don't prefer to use "Mosque" because it doesn't differentiate Masjid and Surau. Also all muslims (English, Malays or others) recognize/understand Masjid. Surau is more common used in Malaysia. Musalla (or just plain prayer place) is more common in other countries such as UK and India/Pakistan.