Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions from visitors.
Where are you located?
Our headquarters are in Phoenix, Arizona, along with four regional offices in the U.S.
What is Islam?
Here is an abridged description of Islam.
What is North American Imam’s Federation’s goal?
The mosques and Islamic organizations in the U.S. and Canada serve millions of Muslims. As an Imam provides an individual ministry of purpose, presence, and peace, NAIF aims to replicate that sacred care to the Imam as an individual. This is a collegial peer-to-peer network of advice and support. Through the support of the spiritual care leader, NAIF also aims to provide a united Muslim voice via a consensus from its Imam members.
What exactly is an Imam?
An Imam is a religious leader. The title is most commonly in the context of a worship leader of a mosque and Muslim community. A mosque, or masjid, is literally any place where Muslims make their daily five prayers (salat) performed in the direction of Mecca; it needn’t be a building.
How can I learn more about Islam and arrange to visit my local mosque?
Please visit our “Visit Us” section for more information about scheduling a visit to a mosque in the U.S. or Canada.
What should I wear when I visit a mosque?
Please see our guide about the etiquette of visiting a mosque.
What is jihad?
One misconception about Islam is often the word jihad. Crusaders from the Middle Ages interpreted jihad as a holy war; however, in Islam, jihad means a struggle against evil, which can include everyday temptations.
Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons – Muhammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement that today is the city of Makkah (Mecca), and built a cuboid-shaped building called the Kaa’ba, which Muslims turn toward daily when they pray.
I am concerned (even afraid) about what’s actually going on in the mosque. Are Imams teaching people to be violent?
Mosques are probably America’s best line of defense against terrorism. They actually combat radicalism by providing a community to guide Muslims who have fallen to the rhetoric of radicalism. Mosques, however, remain greatly misunderstood on the American landscape.
Visit a mosque, and listen to what its spiritual leaders and Imams espouse. What you’ll hear is talk about prayer, fasting, charity, kindness to parents, and service to family and community.
If I do visit a mosque, what should I wear?
It is most appropriate to wear modest, loose-fitting clothes. For men, it is better to wear long pants, and for women to wear pants or full-length skirts or dresses, with long sleeves. Muslim women attending the mosque typically wear a headscarf as well. A female visitor may cover her head if she wishes to show respect to other worshipers or to enrich her own experience.
Also, please keep in mind that many Muslims do not shake hands with anyone of the opposite gender. That is, men do not shake hands with women, and women do not shake hands with men. Unless a member of the congregation extends his or her hand first, it is better to not extend yours.
Why do you take your shoes off at mosques?
A mosque is free of statues and utilizes rugs instead of pews. It is appropriate to remove one’s shoes before entering the prayer area in a mosque, so that the floors and carpets aren’t covered with dirt—after all, that is where people pray.
Can I take photos of the mosque when I visit?
Yes. Picture taking is permitted inside many masjids including in the prayer areas. Please ask for permission as well as be mindful to members of the congregation who might not wish to be photographed.
Where are the women in the mosque praying?
Women offer prayers in prayer halls and rooms that are catty-cornered or above the main prayer hall. The separate areas provides women with privacy and modesty. The physical separation also helps a man and woman maintain his or her focus on prayer–instead of one another.
Why are there foot-sinks in the bathroom?
A Muslim must be in a state of physical purification before making his or her prayer. That includes washing the feet. Masjid and Islamic Center restrooms are often equipped with bidets and other modern amenities for the self-purification process (wudu) performed prior to prayers.
What happens when people come late to the prayer?
Latecomers will join the prayer already in progress. After the leader of the prayer (Imam) has finished, that person will complete what he or she missed.
Do mosques promote homegrown terrorism?
To the contrary, mosques are typical American religious institutions. In addition to worship services, most U.S. mosques hold weekend classes for children, offer charity to the poor, provide counseling services and conduct interfaith programs. There have been unfortunate exceptions, and that has led to a renewed commitment among mosque leaders to confront extremism. We hope you will visit a mosque, and find that they can be a premier site of American assimilation and community involvement.
Where are you located?
Our headquarters are in Phoenix, Arizona, along with four regional offices in the U.S.
What is Islam?
Here is an abridged description of Islam.
What is North American Imam’s Federation’s goal?
The mosques and Islamic organizations in the U.S. and Canada serve millions of Muslims. As an Imam provides an individual ministry of purpose, presence, and peace, NAIF aims to replicate that sacred care to the Imam as an individual. This is a collegial peer-to-peer network of advice and support. Through the support of the spiritual care leader, NAIF also aims to provide a united Muslim voice via a consensus from its Imam members.
What exactly is an Imam?
An Imam is a religious leader. The title is most commonly in the context of a worship leader of a mosque and Muslim community. A mosque, or masjid, is literally any place where Muslims make their daily five prayers (salat) performed in the direction of Mecca; it needn’t be a building.
How can I learn more about Islam and arrange to visit my local mosque?
Please visit our “Visit Us” section for more information about scheduling a visit to a mosque in the U.S. or Canada.
What should I wear when I visit a mosque?
Please see our guide about the etiquette of visiting a mosque.
What is jihad?
One misconception about Islam is often the word jihad. Crusaders from the Middle Ages interpreted jihad as a holy war; however, in Islam, jihad means a struggle against evil, which can include everyday temptations.
Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons – Muhammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement that today is the city of Makkah (Mecca), and built a cuboid-shaped building called the Kaa’ba, which Muslims turn toward daily when they pray.
I am concerned (even afraid) about what’s actually going on in the mosque. Are Imams teaching people to be violent?
Mosques are probably America’s best line of defense against terrorism. They actually combat radicalism by providing a community to guide Muslims who have fallen to the rhetoric of radicalism. Mosques, however, remain greatly misunderstood on the American landscape.
Visit a mosque, and listen to what its spiritual leaders and Imams espouse. What you’ll hear is talk about prayer, fasting, charity, kindness to parents, and service to family and community.
If I do visit a mosque, what should I wear?
It is most appropriate to wear modest, loose-fitting clothes. For men, it is better to wear long pants, and for women to wear pants or full-length skirts or dresses, with long sleeves. Muslim women attending the mosque typically wear a headscarf as well. A female visitor may cover her head if she wishes to show respect to other worshipers or to enrich her own experience.
Also, please keep in mind that many Muslims do not shake hands with anyone of the opposite gender. That is, men do not shake hands with women, and women do not shake hands with men. Unless a member of the congregation extends his or her hand first, it is better to not extend yours.
Why do you take your shoes off at mosques?
A mosque is free of statues and utilizes rugs instead of pews. It is appropriate to remove one’s shoes before entering the prayer area in a mosque, so that the floors and carpets aren’t covered with dirt—after all, that is where people pray.
Can I take photos of the mosque when I visit?
Yes. Picture taking is permitted inside many masjids including in the prayer areas. Please ask for permission as well as be mindful to members of the congregation who might not wish to be photographed.
Where are the women in the mosque praying?
Women offer prayers in prayer halls and rooms that are catty-cornered or above the main prayer hall. The separate areas provides women with privacy and modesty. The physical separation also helps a man and woman maintain his or her focus on prayer–instead of one another.
Why are there foot-sinks in the bathroom?
A Muslim must be in a state of physical purification before making his or her prayer. That includes washing the feet. Masjid and Islamic Center restrooms are often equipped with bidets and other modern amenities for the self-purification process (wudu) performed prior to prayers.
What happens when people come late to the prayer?
Latecomers will join the prayer already in progress. After the leader of the prayer (Imam) has finished, that person will complete what he or she missed.
Do mosques promote homegrown terrorism?
To the contrary, mosques are typical American religious institutions. In addition to worship services, most U.S. mosques hold weekend classes for children, offer charity to the poor, provide counseling services and conduct interfaith programs. There have been unfortunate exceptions, and that has led to a renewed commitment among mosque leaders to confront extremism. We hope you will visit a mosque, and find that they can be a premier site of American assimilation and community involvement.
