A Muslim place of worship is called a “Masjid”; not a “Mosque”

May 02, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

The correct word used to describe the place of worship for Muslims is “Masjid” and not “Mosque”. As Muslims just completed their 30 days of fasting in Ramadan, I noted that many are using the word “Mosque”. As recorded in the Book titled: Understanding Islam by Yahiya Emerick – “the word “Mosque” is derived from the Spanish word for mosquito and came into use during the Christian invasion of Muslim in Spain in the fifteenth century. The forces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella boasted they would swat out Muslim prayer houses like mosquitoes”
The name Muslims should be used when referring to a “Mosque” is the Arabic word “Masjid”, which translates as a place of bowing down – prostration, an act that Muslims perform during prayer -salah.
In Guyana and in India, based on my interaction with Indians from India, I note that the word “Masjid” is commonly used; but today’s Imams and Muslims in most parts of the world are using “mosque” as the acceptable description of their place of worship. Also, it is noted that many Masjids are titled with the word “Mosque” added on, such as the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Given all of that, it makes me wonder whether Muslims ever gave thought to the origin of the word they so commonly use.

Thank you,
Faizul Rahim

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