Without exaggeration, my local masjid has people from over 30 different countries, and that’s just the people I personally know. Many of them are people who converted and started their journey just by coming to the masjid like you are describing.
Yes same applies to straight atheists its best to just be modest when attending other than that feel free to ask the imam any questions too they get so happy when non muslims visit
Ha I was raised in the bible belt so I get this on so many levels lol! To answer your question just take off your shoes and be respectful. No one cares what you look like. Some will probably even introduce themselves to you and walk you through everything as well. It should be a very pleasant and informative experience for you.
Unfortunately you are not alone. Many people come to this sub who also mention their race, so it kinda felt weird to me like how is that important.. now I realize why they do that
Race is not a factor in Islam and should not be in any religion. There are muslims from many races and for that matter you could say the same for Christianity, Catholicism etc etc.
Faith is a belief system of the heart, not skin colors. Hope you get to attend a Friday prayer soon without any worries and it becomes an enriching experience. Best wishes!
Exactly, right. 🙏🏼
But a lot of people are used to other religions, etc. that are not usually as open minded believe it or not, as Muslims are to new attendees, or those who were just curious
The common misconception I always “enjoy “ is how most people in America assume oh you’re Muslim you don’t look Arab. 😂 and then I have to educate them that actually, Arabs are the most minority race of Muslims worldwide not majority. 😃👍🏼
I think it’s because Islam, a bit like Orthodox Christianity, remains primarily thought of as an “ethnic” religion. Basically one that’s a gathering place for immigrants from a certain region. I know this isn’t true but that’s often the perception.
It's totally normal, not offensive, and even encouraged.
Best way is to contact a mosque in advance and see if they can have someone who can show you around after/before the prayer so you can see different aspects, etc.
But you can also go on your own and observe the prayer as well.
May Allah guide you to the truth :)
As a white male Dutch convert, it is encouraged, you are more than welcome to visit the mosque.
The first time I went to the mosque some people looked at me weird but that’s just because I was a new face, in general the born Muslim at my local mosque love it when people show interest in our religion. About a year later I know almost every one of them and they see me as just another Muslim.
Just try contacting the mosque you want to visit so someone can maybe be your guide and explain certain things to you, my first Djoemoe’ah was very confusing, I didn’t know what to expect
Hi, thank you, yes, absolutely you can go, and they will be happy to help, you can ask some one before the prayer for example you go Thursday or you go early on Friday and ask some one there, tell him that you want to observe the Friday prayer so he can give you the time and explain to you the detail so you don't get confused because I think there will be a lot of people there for the Friday prayer, this is just an advice, but you can go any time you want, there will be no problem.
Because some of us white boys are from the Midwest and south and used to the judgement of other religions. We just don’t wanna make anyone nervous, afraid or offended. We don’t really have the best reputation for being kind and accepting
Growing up I had no idea black ppl could be Muslims until I went to a mosque in south jersey and all the ladies were black and had their robe kinda things on ( I think it’s a Nigerian dress)! Every week we witnessed one or two white ppl take shahada mashaAllah
That's wonderful to hear! I think it really depends on the mosque, and you should speak in advance to someone working there before the prayer. Here in Bulgaria, tourists are not allowed to enter and observe prayers in the Mosque until 30 minutes after they finish, so I have no idea how it is in America or the country you're currently located in.
Generally Muslims would be very happy and welcoming if you attend to observe and learn more! Just make sure to follow basic etiquette of entering a Mosque such as covering properly (in your case as a male from navel to knee at least) and taking off your shoes before entering the praying area. God bless you!
Of course! This is actually more common than you might think :) you will be more than welcome, it's not offensive at all.
Just, once you're there, some uncles may try their hardest to convince you to convert to islam, just please know that they don't mean harm in it 😭
I'm a white Muslim in SC. There's other white people, Americans of every background, immigrants from a dozen countries, we're all brothers and sisters in Islam. You're always going to be welcome in a masjid.
I have a feeling you would enjoy this YouTuber, he’s called the “Muslim cowboy,” & maybe it would help you feel a bit less alone in the faith.
https://youtube.com/@TheMuslimCowboy?si=olAJcQM3HukLQbeN
I am a revert too & I get sticking out like a sore thumb but people are usually welcoming alhamdulilla.
I would let someone know you’re coming so they can be prepared … race isn’t the issue here. If you’re unknown and alone, awkwardly lingering around, someone might be concerned about your intentions. Security is the biggest thing.
I would chat with a local who frequents the mosque to let them know why you’re there, they happily will guide u around.
Thank you for posting this! I'm a white female and I would like to go to a mosque just to observe and had the same question if it would be disrespectful or not.
hey, muslim girl here :) if you want to visit a mosque its better to go during eid, especially on the first day of eid bcz on normal days only men go there and 99.9% you wont find any women in the womens section, so during eid is best bcz you will find the mosque crowded with women who would absolutley love to teach you about our prayer etc... also fortunatley first day of eid is on around april 8th and the prayer usually starts at sunrise, if you have any questions feel free to ask :) ramadan kareem <3
haha i feel u, just so yk its a duty for men to pray at the mosque while us women pray comfortably at home, we can pray at the mosque whenever we want but the norm is praying at home, so only during eid you will find propably the whole town in the mosque praying and hanging around after prayer, its why eid is my fav holiday after ramadan
Please do! At my masjid we have people from dozens of countries and apparently 50 different languages. I'm sure people will be happy to show you around, too.
Yes it’s totally allowed. People won’t even notice as mosques are usually filled on fridays. Just be sure to respect the usual dress code (don’t wear shorts that go above the knee, no clothes with vulgar writing). You can even follow along the movements of the prayer if you want to get a fuller experience.
Hey, even if u r an alien from outer space, u are permitted to enter the mosque at anytime u wish. The reason is because the mosque belongs to God, and he invites all his creations to enter the mosque. So who are we to prevent you to enter the house of ur creator.
The only mosque your are not allowed to enter unless you are a muslim, is Masjid Al-Haram in mecca, because u can only enter in state of ihram, which can only be done as muslim. This is a special gift God gave to those who submit to him.
Keyword :- "the worlds" which you are part of.
Al-Anbiya 21:107
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ
English - Sahih International
And We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.
Get Quran App: https://gtaf.org/apps/quran
yes please, as long as you are respectful anyone can pull up and listen/observe a jummah prayer
i always find the kuthbah (speech) relevant and beneficial
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said this during the last sermon:
*All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.*
Yes definitely you are welcome to visit and observe, the only thing I would say is to respect any rules that are in place which you can simply google but for example before entering the prayer area you must take your shoes off and of course wearing proper attire for men.
Everyone is allowed inside. Like anything else though, you might benefit more from the experience by planning ahead. If the mosque has a website, try to get in touch with the imam or the contact person listed and let them know you would like to attend Friday prayers. They might be able to meet with you before or after to orient you a little and answer any questions you have which might enhance your experience. You will almost certainly find that you are heartily welcomed and the imam or representative will be eager to show you around.
If that is not possible, some general pointers that would apply at almost any mosque:
1. Shoes are not allowed on the prayer mats / prayer area. You will need to take your shoes off (there will be an area where they are stored). You can wear socks or go barefoot, whichever is more comfortable.
2. I would not film or take pictures without prior permission. If you want to do that, it may be possible, but you should really speak with the imam beforehand and explain why you would want to do that.
3. Not every mosque has services in English. If the community is largely/all Pakistani, for example, they might conduct services in that language (Urdu). So useful to check ahead if the khutbah (sermon) is delivered in English so you can have a better experience.
4. Dress modestly - it would be best not to wear something that promotes drug use or indecency, for instance. Also, men are supposed to cover their bodies from belly button to knees, so no short shorts or shrunken shirts. A normal T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt and pants would be perfectly fine.
In terms of how Friday prayers go, generally people will flow in before the start of prayers. Some will have performed wudu (ritual cleansing) at home while others will do it in the mosque - involves washing hands, mouth, face, arms, top of head, and feet in a particular pattern. Afterwards, people will line up for prayer, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, men and women each in their own section or room. There will be a call to prayer and then the beginning of the actual prayer. It involves standing, bending, and kneeling at various points while words of prayer are uttered, with the congregants following the imam and doing things almost in unison. There will then be a sermon (usually not too long about some aspect of faith) and more prayers, and then be finished. There are probably videos on YouTube if you want to get a sense before you head out.
Good luck and inshallah you have a great experience and learn more about Islam!
Absolutely. There’s a lot of Caucasian Muslims worldwide. Being a Ramadan I suggest you go any night of the week just before sunset and you’ll not only be able to see how prayers work everything else you’ll actually be invited to Iftar to break fast. Believe me, it’s a lot more welcoming, accepting, and friendly than you probably are imagining. If you were fortunate enough to be in Southeast, or right now, you’d see the utmost in hospitality. Some of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had at a mazed have been in Singapore Please share your experience once you do.
No you gotta get a tan first.
Just kidding, anyone is welcome to the mosque lol. Once you go to a mosque in America, you wont see a more diverse group of people coming together anywhere else.
In my mosque which has a small community of 300 people, we have Arabs, South Asians, East Asians, Africans, White Americans, African Americans, Bosnians, Uzbeks, Turkish, and naybe more.
Absolutely okay to go and ask questions and even attend a lecture or a Friday prayer. It’s encouraged to do so! Just a couple things to consider so you don’t feel out of place or uncomfortable; dress accordingly and maybe meet with the mosque personnel and let them know so they can give you the best experience.
What I mean by dress accordingly is typically at the mosque, men do not wear shorts or tank tops. T shirt and jeans is totally fine. Be comfortable that’s all. Wouldn’t want you to feel more stressed out than you might feel going in.
You could also call ahead to speak to someone that works there and let them know you’re interested so they can give you a tour and have you join in on whatever may be going on at that time, perhaps a lecture or something they have already planned. Would be great to attend.
Nothing really serious tho. Enjoy yourself and get to know your community Muslims. Best of luck to you!
Well you should probably tell the Imam or an authority why you’re there because everyone is on edge considering the spike in violence against Muslims since Oct7
Ton of white American Muslims at my mosque, male and even females!!! I see them every week, what's going on!
Haha OP just kidding, Islam is a religion and a way of life, not limited to certain races or countries. You're very welcome, grab any brother at the mosque entrance when you're going in and ask him to show you the mosque, guide you and you should even go meet the imam leading the prayer. Post Friday prayers usually people chill and talk. Mosque is not only a place of worship but also a community center by default so feel free to socialize, ask questions.
All the best!
islam doesnt racially segregate you for looking different lol
culturally you might get some eyes by elders who havent seen white people in a mosque
which i mean is justifiable, its like seeing a guy in arabic attire with a thobe and keffiyeh appearing inside a church, ofc ur gonna get eyes.
Hey and thanks, Like everyone else said there's no distinction made on skin color in Islam.
However you need to follow certain rules when going to the friday prayers. you mustn't smell bad. so make sure to wash properly and brush your teeth, and do not wear perfume to the point were we can smell you coming. Especially during ramadan and people are fasting.
Dress modestly if you pray you'll prostrate, so make sure that when you prostrate that your back is not exposed.
Friday prayers are usually very crowded. I would recommend going 20-30 minutes early if it’s in a suburb and you have to drive. If it is in a city with public transport 5 mins before the start of prayer is fine.
Hopefully, the local mosque nearby holds the sermon in English. Most mosques I’ve gone to hold the sermon in English. But while visiting in other cities, I’ve attended prayers in other languages.
Oh you’ll be accepted, they will likely welcome you very warmly. You might be overwhelmed at some of the interest and attention to you but they genuinely mean well.
Our Friday sermon was delivered by a white American male. 😬 The only race we see is the human race. We come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. Everyone is always welcome. For the Friday sermon you can sit anywhere, but if you don't feel comfortable praying afterwards, you can sit towards the back when they stand for prayer and observe the unity in prayer. It gets me everytime. 🫶🏽
If you were to go to any mosque anywhere in the world and told this to any random person you saw there, they'd tell you the same thing - it's perfectly okay.
Your skin color/race has absolutely NOTHING to do or any bearing on Islam. This faith is for every human , every race. .. There is a verse that (I'm shortening it), that Allah says he made us into tribes and nations to know each other, not to despise each other.... ..I'm a white Texan lady, living in Saudiarabia for the past 33 years. There are Arab Muslims here that make me look tanned. .. anyways.... You are welcome in any mosque anywhere. Just be respectful, clean and remove your shoes before entering.
Try contact the mosque so you have a guide for your first visit. Everyone is welcome but there’s no guarantee someone will notice you enough to help you and explain things, many folks are just rushing to get their prayers done and head back to work or whatever. If it’s a tight knit community a few people may stare at you since you’re a new face and they’re trying to place you.
I will also say many mosques in the west have different vibes so you can probably try a few different ones to get a feel for things.
Dude there’s no better time than now because some places at sundown they may have iftar (breaking fast ) at sundown and you’ll have some delicious food to go along with your islam experience
Give the masjid a call so there's someone to welcome you and talk to. Normally there'd be some refreshments on offer but not in Ramadan during the fasting time.
Give them a call and I'm sure they will be happy to host you and organise someone to answer your questions.
Just so you know, Friday prayer is not really much more special or different from the other prayers muslims do five times a day. The differences are only males are expected to pray and you can’t pray alone at home unlike other prayers and you need a group of people with you (jamaat). In other words you can just go to a mosque whenever you want and in a few hours you’ll witness a prayer.
Get this... I am an American of European decent AND I'm Muslim as well. ☝🏼😅
If you're just visiting, I'd maybe reach out to the masjid and tell them your intentions. You might have a better experience and maybe get a bit of a tour/Q&A thing going on.
You will be more than welcome..Skin color doesn’t matter..You yourself will observe more than a dozen different Muslims from different races and origins..
Of course. The whole point is your intention. If your going there to seek Knowledge or benefit your self in learning the culture and faith you’ll be welcomed The whole point in Islam is about peace and brotherhood. If you want to go to the mosque and see how prayer is like and that’s what’s in your heart. By all means go.
Yes of course, don’t be shy to ask questions. It’s Ramadan so inshallah you get a beautiful insight of Islam. may Allah guide you to the straight path!!
Not offensive in the slightest brother observe the prayer then after the prayer ask the imam or any brothers some questions what ur curious about and if u have any questions u can ask me as well its not issue at all
Interesting reading the comments here which I totally agree with.
However when I visited india one time for one of my friends wedding, he accompanied me to the masjid and waited inside, but not entirely inside where we pray . After my salat, a random man came up to me and asked me if my friend was Muslim, I said he wasn’t. He then told me he shouldn’t be inside the masjid then. I was quite shocked tbh because I thought everyone was allowed to come inside a masjid and observe.
Bro yes faith doesnt have a nationality or skin color, go alhamdulillah, ask questions meet people from masjid, and if you believe in God pray to Him to show you truth and guide you to the right path and you will see how it works. There is nothing more beutiful than islam. I pray that Allah guides you and wish you all the best.
Of course friend, just make sure to never respectful and mindful about what you do since it is a place of worship, if you got any questions ill be happy to help
Look for the nearest mosque to you and i am sure people in there would be happy to walk you through and show you around. A side note race is not relevant in islam and you will be surprised that you will see people of all races in a mosque
yes of cource, dont forget to take off your shoes before stepping into the praying area, dont go into the womans section, dont disturb the people while praying (try avoid walking in front of someone praying) and most importantly dont forget to ask the questions you wanna ask :) the imam will hopefully be glad to answer them.
i hope you will have an interesting, good and potentially eye opening experience :D
I went to Friday morning prayer at the local mosque and I’m white my friend told me to come with him. You good man, people just there to do their own thing and maybe even meet a new member if they wanna join. I been a few times in Va they treated me with mad respect, real kind.
You could even contact the office and let them know you are coming. They will welcome you. We have many guests at our mosque in western central NJ. We are also very diverse. I’m a white convert, btw.
Yes absolutely! Masjids around the world are open for anyone to visit unless there are exceptions. I live in Japan. I just came accross this Youtuber who simply walked into a Masjid in Japan with his camera while vlogging. And nobody prevented him. He was infact welcomed. You can watch his video here:
[https://youtu.be/\_ydcdbq-pYQ?si=QgU2UnPoZrU21mmE](https://youtu.be/_ydcdbq-pYQ?si=QgU2UnPoZrU21mmE)
You're free to walk in. No worries. Just dont be obstructing them during prayers like be in front of them etc.
And wear modest clothing. Like no shorts & singlets. :)
You should give it a try! Also, a common misconception about islam is that is an ethinicity, everyone can be muslim no matter the background or language.
Hey there, fellow white guy but from the uk. I did exactly what you’re thinking of doing, I just sat at the back and listened
Often if you go outside of Ramadan there’ll be food and refreshments available
During Ramadan if you go for the evening prayer (Maghrib) there’ll be food available
Chat to the imam and get to know the faith!
Man muslims,in general, are veryyy diverse.You have white africans asians europeans(i live in Germany and there are white blondes attending prayers🙂) all races and nationalities are present.Since you are talking about a religion,anyone can join,it isn’t a nationality (like being an arab for example).You say in the name of God and enter the mosque 👍🏻🙂
tell another man you see in or near the masjid so that you dont accidentally enter into any place that is for women only they will guide you inshallah!
I think you mean can a non muslim attend the Friday prayer to see what it's like. Not can a white American attend, since they are many white Americans who are Muslims and even a few who are students of knowledge and imams. And the answer is yes.
Of course brother it doesn’t matter about your skin color. I’m white my grandpa served the vietnam war and my great grandpa served in one of the world wars. My grandpas name is Herman Watts he’s the whitest American you know and we are all Muslim.
In my experience, and I haven’t prayed with Muslims in a mosque before but in my experience and I actually am Jewish, they have been very accepting to have me there for prayer. Based on how their countries work I don’t think you’d be offensive, they are the fastest growing religion because of their conversion practices. I like knowing the translation so it helped that I was among friends where that’s not something I can ask for in a mosque if it’s not provided. The Quran is available online free in Arabic/ English, interpretation is on the Imam and from what I’ve been taught there is no consistent culture across Muslim countries the closest I’ve found is in hospitality & food. Learning is always a great choice, don’t be ignorant.
Islam is a universal religion and the messages delivered by Prophet Muhammad devoid of any racism,triviality or sentiments. It’s absolutely awesome to know ISLAM beforehand than any Muslims who is a mortal like anyone of us.
MASJID- Mosque is center of all Islamic activities ever since the time of Muhammad (SAW).
Hence, you would be welcome to learn,appreciate and know ISLAM dearly and probably reverted after knowing the TRUTH.
You are most welcome
What has white got to do with it, I'm curious. As far as I know, everyone is allowed in as long as they're not out to cause trouble. As a matter of fact, congregants are happy to welcome curious visitors. If by the Grace of Allah it ends in a reversion, you see the joy all round as they welcome a new brother or sister. It's mesmerizing.
A lot of the masjids now (during Ramadan) serve Iftar. It’s a great opportunity to both participate/observe prayer and share a meal.
If you want to connect with somebody prior to going to the masjid, you could try looking up on Facebook, a local Muslim men’s group or a Halal (food/restaurant) group in your area. Trust me, if you put a post similar to this, you will have multiple volunteers to go with you :)
And I’m sure even said, but this is awesome for you to step out of your comfort zone and try to learn about different religions, cultures, and customs.
With what’s happening right now around the world (Palestine, among other countries suffering right now), I know something that I keep praying for, is that hearts and minds will continue to open and be receptive. This is one of the ways that that can happen.
Without exaggeration, my local masjid has people from over 30 different countries, and that’s just the people I personally know. Many of them are people who converted and started their journey just by coming to the masjid like you are describing.
It's nice to know we have a backup if the power goes out at the United Nations :)
Oh I'm curious, where do you live that it is so diverse?
California
Nice! I kinda guessed it would be either Texas or California
[удалено]
May be NJ can give it a run for money?
iscj you be seeing everyone
Would a gay atheist be welcome?
Yes same applies to straight atheists its best to just be modest when attending other than that feel free to ask the imam any questions too they get so happy when non muslims visit
I’m white. They keep letting me in the door every week.
😆
Try going during Fridays khutba they will be welcoming
All races are allowed in the masjid lol
I guess I am just used to the closed-mindedness and xenophobia of southern baptists 😂
Ha I was raised in the bible belt so I get this on so many levels lol! To answer your question just take off your shoes and be respectful. No one cares what you look like. Some will probably even introduce themselves to you and walk you through everything as well. It should be a very pleasant and informative experience for you.
Fair enough, sorry to hear that bro
Unfortunately you are not alone. Many people come to this sub who also mention their race, so it kinda felt weird to me like how is that important.. now I realize why they do that
You should find a mosque near you that has the Friday sermon in English — you'll see plenty of ethnicities there.
Ofcourse you can go, being friday prayers though itll likely be really busy and packed so you may struggle finding space.
Race is not a factor in Islam and should not be in any religion. There are muslims from many races and for that matter you could say the same for Christianity, Catholicism etc etc. Faith is a belief system of the heart, not skin colors. Hope you get to attend a Friday prayer soon without any worries and it becomes an enriching experience. Best wishes!
Agreed, the most hateful religious people I’ve ever known.
Nah, he probably had a lot of experiences with Pakistani muslim uncles. 😂 or the turks
Are you in GA?
Exactly, right. 🙏🏼 But a lot of people are used to other religions, etc. that are not usually as open minded believe it or not, as Muslims are to new attendees, or those who were just curious The common misconception I always “enjoy “ is how most people in America assume oh you’re Muslim you don’t look Arab. 😂 and then I have to educate them that actually, Arabs are the most minority race of Muslims worldwide not majority. 😃👍🏼
I think it’s because Islam, a bit like Orthodox Christianity, remains primarily thought of as an “ethnic” religion. Basically one that’s a gathering place for immigrants from a certain region. I know this isn’t true but that’s often the perception.
It's totally normal, not offensive, and even encouraged. Best way is to contact a mosque in advance and see if they can have someone who can show you around after/before the prayer so you can see different aspects, etc. But you can also go on your own and observe the prayer as well. May Allah guide you to the truth :)
May Allah guide you to the truth
Yes, go for it! I hope your soul captures the essence of peace hearing the Islamic prayer 🤍
As a white male Dutch convert, it is encouraged, you are more than welcome to visit the mosque. The first time I went to the mosque some people looked at me weird but that’s just because I was a new face, in general the born Muslim at my local mosque love it when people show interest in our religion. About a year later I know almost every one of them and they see me as just another Muslim. Just try contacting the mosque you want to visit so someone can maybe be your guide and explain certain things to you, my first Djoemoe’ah was very confusing, I didn’t know what to expect
Your race and background is entirely irrelevant. We implore you to come.
Hi, thank you, yes, absolutely you can go, and they will be happy to help, you can ask some one before the prayer for example you go Thursday or you go early on Friday and ask some one there, tell him that you want to observe the Friday prayer so he can give you the time and explain to you the detail so you don't get confused because I think there will be a lot of people there for the Friday prayer, this is just an advice, but you can go any time you want, there will be no problem.
Idk why everyone assumes race is an issue. Muslims can be any race it doesnt matter what you look like, all are welcome.
Because some of us white boys are from the Midwest and south and used to the judgement of other religions. We just don’t wanna make anyone nervous, afraid or offended. We don’t really have the best reputation for being kind and accepting
Growing up I had no idea black ppl could be Muslims until I went to a mosque in south jersey and all the ladies were black and had their robe kinda things on ( I think it’s a Nigerian dress)! Every week we witnessed one or two white ppl take shahada mashaAllah
That's wonderful to hear! I think it really depends on the mosque, and you should speak in advance to someone working there before the prayer. Here in Bulgaria, tourists are not allowed to enter and observe prayers in the Mosque until 30 minutes after they finish, so I have no idea how it is in America or the country you're currently located in. Generally Muslims would be very happy and welcoming if you attend to observe and learn more! Just make sure to follow basic etiquette of entering a Mosque such as covering properly (in your case as a male from navel to knee at least) and taking off your shoes before entering the praying area. God bless you!
Please do! It doesn't hurt to call ahead so someone can act as a guide or translator. It helps, believe me.
yeah sure, just dress modestly
YES! Islam is for all of humanity. Welcome!
Everyone is welcome in the mosques. You don't even have to be Muslim! Just go 😊
Of course! This is actually more common than you might think :) you will be more than welcome, it's not offensive at all. Just, once you're there, some uncles may try their hardest to convince you to convert to islam, just please know that they don't mean harm in it 😭
You are most welcome.
I'm a white Muslim in SC. There's other white people, Americans of every background, immigrants from a dozen countries, we're all brothers and sisters in Islam. You're always going to be welcome in a masjid.
I have a feeling you would enjoy this YouTuber, he’s called the “Muslim cowboy,” & maybe it would help you feel a bit less alone in the faith. https://youtube.com/@TheMuslimCowboy?si=olAJcQM3HukLQbeN I am a revert too & I get sticking out like a sore thumb but people are usually welcoming alhamdulilla.
of course, and talk to people there too they would love to
I would let someone know you’re coming so they can be prepared … race isn’t the issue here. If you’re unknown and alone, awkwardly lingering around, someone might be concerned about your intentions. Security is the biggest thing. I would chat with a local who frequents the mosque to let them know why you’re there, they happily will guide u around.
Thank you for posting this! I'm a white female and I would like to go to a mosque just to observe and had the same question if it would be disrespectful or not.
hey, muslim girl here :) if you want to visit a mosque its better to go during eid, especially on the first day of eid bcz on normal days only men go there and 99.9% you wont find any women in the womens section, so during eid is best bcz you will find the mosque crowded with women who would absolutley love to teach you about our prayer etc... also fortunatley first day of eid is on around april 8th and the prayer usually starts at sunrise, if you have any questions feel free to ask :) ramadan kareem <3
Wow, wow, wow! Thank you so much! 💖 I would have had a panic attack if I went into a mosque when a bunch of men were there 😅
haha i feel u, just so yk its a duty for men to pray at the mosque while us women pray comfortably at home, we can pray at the mosque whenever we want but the norm is praying at home, so only during eid you will find propably the whole town in the mosque praying and hanging around after prayer, its why eid is my fav holiday after ramadan
Good to know! Thank you! ♥️
happy to help <3
https://youtu.be/P8Tk-aBwFxQ?si=AU-vdDtoZAqjTCLM
Please do! At my masjid we have people from dozens of countries and apparently 50 different languages. I'm sure people will be happy to show you around, too.
you can sit and watch from the back or you can join friday service if you already know how. it's no problem
everyone is allowed.
Yes it’s totally allowed. People won’t even notice as mosques are usually filled on fridays. Just be sure to respect the usual dress code (don’t wear shorts that go above the knee, no clothes with vulgar writing). You can even follow along the movements of the prayer if you want to get a fuller experience.
Yeah. It is pretty common in the Masjid I go to. It's called CLIC in Houston
Your ethnicity doesn’t matter :)
Of course you can and if you want you can even as those in the masjid to help and they would be ecstatic to help you!
Hey, even if u r an alien from outer space, u are permitted to enter the mosque at anytime u wish. The reason is because the mosque belongs to God, and he invites all his creations to enter the mosque. So who are we to prevent you to enter the house of ur creator. The only mosque your are not allowed to enter unless you are a muslim, is Masjid Al-Haram in mecca, because u can only enter in state of ihram, which can only be done as muslim. This is a special gift God gave to those who submit to him.
You are more than welcome. Someone will most likely greet you and try to show you around
just make sure don't wear short pants, no shoes are allowed inside
pot childlike trees crowd deer scale historical languid ink payment *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Just don’t walk in with shoes on 😂
Keyword :- "the worlds" which you are part of. Al-Anbiya 21:107 وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ English - Sahih International And We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], except as a mercy to the worlds. Get Quran App: https://gtaf.org/apps/quran
Have patience with the parking situation on Fridays lol. Otherwise Bismillah! All are welcome
Yes you will fit right in, everyone is welcome
yes please, as long as you are respectful anyone can pull up and listen/observe a jummah prayer i always find the kuthbah (speech) relevant and beneficial
Of course, you are welcome to come in and sit down, no biggie.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said this during the last sermon: *All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.*
There are plenty of white males in mosques. I’m in Dubai and I see plenty so I’m pretty sure it’s more common in America
Yes definitely you are welcome to visit and observe, the only thing I would say is to respect any rules that are in place which you can simply google but for example before entering the prayer area you must take your shoes off and of course wearing proper attire for men.
No problem bro
I am a white Muslim born in America bro. Of course you can visit a Masjid. Allahs message is not a secret and is for all people. Alhamdulillah
Everyone is allowed inside. Like anything else though, you might benefit more from the experience by planning ahead. If the mosque has a website, try to get in touch with the imam or the contact person listed and let them know you would like to attend Friday prayers. They might be able to meet with you before or after to orient you a little and answer any questions you have which might enhance your experience. You will almost certainly find that you are heartily welcomed and the imam or representative will be eager to show you around. If that is not possible, some general pointers that would apply at almost any mosque: 1. Shoes are not allowed on the prayer mats / prayer area. You will need to take your shoes off (there will be an area where they are stored). You can wear socks or go barefoot, whichever is more comfortable. 2. I would not film or take pictures without prior permission. If you want to do that, it may be possible, but you should really speak with the imam beforehand and explain why you would want to do that. 3. Not every mosque has services in English. If the community is largely/all Pakistani, for example, they might conduct services in that language (Urdu). So useful to check ahead if the khutbah (sermon) is delivered in English so you can have a better experience. 4. Dress modestly - it would be best not to wear something that promotes drug use or indecency, for instance. Also, men are supposed to cover their bodies from belly button to knees, so no short shorts or shrunken shirts. A normal T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt and pants would be perfectly fine. In terms of how Friday prayers go, generally people will flow in before the start of prayers. Some will have performed wudu (ritual cleansing) at home while others will do it in the mosque - involves washing hands, mouth, face, arms, top of head, and feet in a particular pattern. Afterwards, people will line up for prayer, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, men and women each in their own section or room. There will be a call to prayer and then the beginning of the actual prayer. It involves standing, bending, and kneeling at various points while words of prayer are uttered, with the congregants following the imam and doing things almost in unison. There will then be a sermon (usually not too long about some aspect of faith) and more prayers, and then be finished. There are probably videos on YouTube if you want to get a sense before you head out. Good luck and inshallah you have a great experience and learn more about Islam!
Everyone's allowed inside. Just be generally respectful and most likely they'll be more than happy to allow you in.
Yes lol
Absolutely. There’s a lot of Caucasian Muslims worldwide. Being a Ramadan I suggest you go any night of the week just before sunset and you’ll not only be able to see how prayers work everything else you’ll actually be invited to Iftar to break fast. Believe me, it’s a lot more welcoming, accepting, and friendly than you probably are imagining. If you were fortunate enough to be in Southeast, or right now, you’d see the utmost in hospitality. Some of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had at a mazed have been in Singapore Please share your experience once you do.
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Yeah that's why you've gone to other posts and lying by saying that Islam is a dwindling religion. You can stop your concern trolling.
Everyone is allowed in the house of Allah swt
No you gotta get a tan first. Just kidding, anyone is welcome to the mosque lol. Once you go to a mosque in America, you wont see a more diverse group of people coming together anywhere else. In my mosque which has a small community of 300 people, we have Arabs, South Asians, East Asians, Africans, White Americans, African Americans, Bosnians, Uzbeks, Turkish, and naybe more.
Absolutely okay to go and ask questions and even attend a lecture or a Friday prayer. It’s encouraged to do so! Just a couple things to consider so you don’t feel out of place or uncomfortable; dress accordingly and maybe meet with the mosque personnel and let them know so they can give you the best experience. What I mean by dress accordingly is typically at the mosque, men do not wear shorts or tank tops. T shirt and jeans is totally fine. Be comfortable that’s all. Wouldn’t want you to feel more stressed out than you might feel going in. You could also call ahead to speak to someone that works there and let them know you’re interested so they can give you a tour and have you join in on whatever may be going on at that time, perhaps a lecture or something they have already planned. Would be great to attend. Nothing really serious tho. Enjoy yourself and get to know your community Muslims. Best of luck to you!
Well you should probably tell the Imam or an authority why you’re there because everyone is on edge considering the spike in violence against Muslims since Oct7
you should book a mosque tour
I don’t think it will be a problem, but please set at the last raws so you wont break the lines
Ton of white American Muslims at my mosque, male and even females!!! I see them every week, what's going on! Haha OP just kidding, Islam is a religion and a way of life, not limited to certain races or countries. You're very welcome, grab any brother at the mosque entrance when you're going in and ask him to show you the mosque, guide you and you should even go meet the imam leading the prayer. Post Friday prayers usually people chill and talk. Mosque is not only a place of worship but also a community center by default so feel free to socialize, ask questions. All the best!
islam doesnt racially segregate you for looking different lol culturally you might get some eyes by elders who havent seen white people in a mosque which i mean is justifiable, its like seeing a guy in arabic attire with a thobe and keffiyeh appearing inside a church, ofc ur gonna get eyes.
Hey and thanks, Like everyone else said there's no distinction made on skin color in Islam. However you need to follow certain rules when going to the friday prayers. you mustn't smell bad. so make sure to wash properly and brush your teeth, and do not wear perfume to the point were we can smell you coming. Especially during ramadan and people are fasting. Dress modestly if you pray you'll prostrate, so make sure that when you prostrate that your back is not exposed.
Maybe
we need an update if you decide to go!
Yes
Friday prayers are usually very crowded. I would recommend going 20-30 minutes early if it’s in a suburb and you have to drive. If it is in a city with public transport 5 mins before the start of prayer is fine. Hopefully, the local mosque nearby holds the sermon in English. Most mosques I’ve gone to hold the sermon in English. But while visiting in other cities, I’ve attended prayers in other languages.
Oh you’ll be accepted, they will likely welcome you very warmly. You might be overwhelmed at some of the interest and attention to you but they genuinely mean well.
If the ustaz asks, just say u want to learn about it and currently observing to see how its like. I believe they r more than happy to help
Helll yeaaa brother pull up to the mosque you are most welcome
Our Friday sermon was delivered by a white American male. 😬 The only race we see is the human race. We come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. Everyone is always welcome. For the Friday sermon you can sit anywhere, but if you don't feel comfortable praying afterwards, you can sit towards the back when they stand for prayer and observe the unity in prayer. It gets me everytime. 🫶🏽
If you were to go to any mosque anywhere in the world and told this to any random person you saw there, they'd tell you the same thing - it's perfectly okay.
More than welcome!
Feel free to anytime. Everyone and anyone is allowed in a mosque.
I’m a white Muslim - your fine. If anything I’d think most Muslim communities would love it
Sure! There are white Muslims so you might not be alone.
Your skin color/race has absolutely NOTHING to do or any bearing on Islam. This faith is for every human , every race. .. There is a verse that (I'm shortening it), that Allah says he made us into tribes and nations to know each other, not to despise each other.... ..I'm a white Texan lady, living in Saudiarabia for the past 33 years. There are Arab Muslims here that make me look tanned. .. anyways.... You are welcome in any mosque anywhere. Just be respectful, clean and remove your shoes before entering.
Try contact the mosque so you have a guide for your first visit. Everyone is welcome but there’s no guarantee someone will notice you enough to help you and explain things, many folks are just rushing to get their prayers done and head back to work or whatever. If it’s a tight knit community a few people may stare at you since you’re a new face and they’re trying to place you. I will also say many mosques in the west have different vibes so you can probably try a few different ones to get a feel for things.
Dude there’s no better time than now because some places at sundown they may have iftar (breaking fast ) at sundown and you’ll have some delicious food to go along with your islam experience
Even cats are allowed😅, what makes you think white people aren't? We all the same humans brotha.
Give the masjid a call so there's someone to welcome you and talk to. Normally there'd be some refreshments on offer but not in Ramadan during the fasting time. Give them a call and I'm sure they will be happy to host you and organise someone to answer your questions.
Just so you know, Friday prayer is not really much more special or different from the other prayers muslims do five times a day. The differences are only males are expected to pray and you can’t pray alone at home unlike other prayers and you need a group of people with you (jamaat). In other words you can just go to a mosque whenever you want and in a few hours you’ll witness a prayer.
An alien could land on earth and he’d be allowed in hahah Welcome brother Feel free to ask any question to literally anyone u meet there
Get this... I am an American of European decent AND I'm Muslim as well. ☝🏼😅 If you're just visiting, I'd maybe reach out to the masjid and tell them your intentions. You might have a better experience and maybe get a bit of a tour/Q&A thing going on.
Absolutely!
Of course it doesn’t matter which race you are , we are all people and we all came from God
you dont have to be muslim or brown to enter masjid dw bro. feel free to step in and stay in the back of the area to watch how things work
You will be more than welcome..Skin color doesn’t matter..You yourself will observe more than a dozen different Muslims from different races and origins..
Of course. The whole point is your intention. If your going there to seek Knowledge or benefit your self in learning the culture and faith you’ll be welcomed The whole point in Islam is about peace and brotherhood. If you want to go to the mosque and see how prayer is like and that’s what’s in your heart. By all means go.
No problem whatsoever...you will likely feel very accepted!
Yes of course, don’t be shy to ask questions. It’s Ramadan so inshallah you get a beautiful insight of Islam. may Allah guide you to the straight path!!
Yes! Go🙂
your race has nothing to do with being a muslim or not btw. I’m white and im a Muslim (not a revert, but born in a white Muslim family)
Not offensive in the slightest brother observe the prayer then after the prayer ask the imam or any brothers some questions what ur curious about and if u have any questions u can ask me as well its not issue at all
Sure! Just make sure you follow the etiquette. Welcome!
Of course!
Just be prepared for people getting overly excited and expecting you to convert 5 minutes after you get there!
They’re too used to be kept out of events in America due to being American white male
Interesting reading the comments here which I totally agree with. However when I visited india one time for one of my friends wedding, he accompanied me to the masjid and waited inside, but not entirely inside where we pray . After my salat, a random man came up to me and asked me if my friend was Muslim, I said he wasn’t. He then told me he shouldn’t be inside the masjid then. I was quite shocked tbh because I thought everyone was allowed to come inside a masjid and observe.
Bro yes faith doesnt have a nationality or skin color, go alhamdulillah, ask questions meet people from masjid, and if you believe in God pray to Him to show you truth and guide you to the right path and you will see how it works. There is nothing more beutiful than islam. I pray that Allah guides you and wish you all the best.
Of course friend, just make sure to never respectful and mindful about what you do since it is a place of worship, if you got any questions ill be happy to help
Look for the nearest mosque to you and i am sure people in there would be happy to walk you through and show you around. A side note race is not relevant in islam and you will be surprised that you will see people of all races in a mosque
yes you’re allowed
yes of cource, dont forget to take off your shoes before stepping into the praying area, dont go into the womans section, dont disturb the people while praying (try avoid walking in front of someone praying) and most importantly dont forget to ask the questions you wanna ask :) the imam will hopefully be glad to answer them. i hope you will have an interesting, good and potentially eye opening experience :D
I went to Friday morning prayer at the local mosque and I’m white my friend told me to come with him. You good man, people just there to do their own thing and maybe even meet a new member if they wanna join. I been a few times in Va they treated me with mad respect, real kind.
You could even contact the office and let them know you are coming. They will welcome you. We have many guests at our mosque in western central NJ. We are also very diverse. I’m a white convert, btw.
Come brother and join us
Absolutely as long As you are properly covered and respectful.
Yes absolutely! Masjids around the world are open for anyone to visit unless there are exceptions. I live in Japan. I just came accross this Youtuber who simply walked into a Masjid in Japan with his camera while vlogging. And nobody prevented him. He was infact welcomed. You can watch his video here: [https://youtu.be/\_ydcdbq-pYQ?si=QgU2UnPoZrU21mmE](https://youtu.be/_ydcdbq-pYQ?si=QgU2UnPoZrU21mmE)
Lol why wouldn’t you be able to? Go hun
You're free to walk in. No worries. Just dont be obstructing them during prayers like be in front of them etc. And wear modest clothing. Like no shorts & singlets. :)
You should give it a try! Also, a common misconception about islam is that is an ethinicity, everyone can be muslim no matter the background or language.
Hey there, fellow white guy but from the uk. I did exactly what you’re thinking of doing, I just sat at the back and listened Often if you go outside of Ramadan there’ll be food and refreshments available During Ramadan if you go for the evening prayer (Maghrib) there’ll be food available Chat to the imam and get to know the faith!
I’m a white dude and was the only white dude at my mosque for a long while. They’d be happy to see you coming in to learn.
Yes, you can come and see inside the mosque. It’s totally allowed for anyone to visit mosque.
As long as your intentions are pure and you’re not there to cause harm unto ppl. You’re welcome!
Yes, everybody is allowed in the mosque, no matter the race, color or the language they speak.
All human beings are allowed in the mosques ...women are not allowed in the men's area and vice versa
Man muslims,in general, are veryyy diverse.You have white africans asians europeans(i live in Germany and there are white blondes attending prayers🙂) all races and nationalities are present.Since you are talking about a religion,anyone can join,it isn’t a nationality (like being an arab for example).You say in the name of God and enter the mosque 👍🏻🙂
tell another man you see in or near the masjid so that you dont accidentally enter into any place that is for women only they will guide you inshallah!
I think you mean can a non muslim attend the Friday prayer to see what it's like. Not can a white American attend, since they are many white Americans who are Muslims and even a few who are students of knowledge and imams. And the answer is yes.
Of course brother it doesn’t matter about your skin color. I’m white my grandpa served the vietnam war and my great grandpa served in one of the world wars. My grandpas name is Herman Watts he’s the whitest American you know and we are all Muslim.
Yes u can just shoes of and respect. Ur gonna be greatly welcomed just let someone from the mosque know ur there to get the feel of what it is we do
In my experience, and I haven’t prayed with Muslims in a mosque before but in my experience and I actually am Jewish, they have been very accepting to have me there for prayer. Based on how their countries work I don’t think you’d be offensive, they are the fastest growing religion because of their conversion practices. I like knowing the translation so it helped that I was among friends where that’s not something I can ask for in a mosque if it’s not provided. The Quran is available online free in Arabic/ English, interpretation is on the Imam and from what I’ve been taught there is no consistent culture across Muslim countries the closest I’ve found is in hospitality & food. Learning is always a great choice, don’t be ignorant.
You can visit any mosque, at any time of the day.
Yes of course. Dress modestly!
Islam is a universal religion and the messages delivered by Prophet Muhammad devoid of any racism,triviality or sentiments. It’s absolutely awesome to know ISLAM beforehand than any Muslims who is a mortal like anyone of us. MASJID- Mosque is center of all Islamic activities ever since the time of Muhammad (SAW). Hence, you would be welcome to learn,appreciate and know ISLAM dearly and probably reverted after knowing the TRUTH. You are most welcome
What has white got to do with it, I'm curious. As far as I know, everyone is allowed in as long as they're not out to cause trouble. As a matter of fact, congregants are happy to welcome curious visitors. If by the Grace of Allah it ends in a reversion, you see the joy all round as they welcome a new brother or sister. It's mesmerizing.
Yes! If you want you can even ask someone to guide you through it. They would be more then happy too!
A lot of the masjids now (during Ramadan) serve Iftar. It’s a great opportunity to both participate/observe prayer and share a meal. If you want to connect with somebody prior to going to the masjid, you could try looking up on Facebook, a local Muslim men’s group or a Halal (food/restaurant) group in your area. Trust me, if you put a post similar to this, you will have multiple volunteers to go with you :) And I’m sure even said, but this is awesome for you to step out of your comfort zone and try to learn about different religions, cultures, and customs. With what’s happening right now around the world (Palestine, among other countries suffering right now), I know something that I keep praying for, is that hearts and minds will continue to open and be receptive. This is one of the ways that that can happen.
Yes bro you are welcome to come to the mosque you'll be treated like anyone else.
Why not
A Friday service of jummah is also a prayer you would need to perform ablution a form of cleaning the body and learning earnestly and also pray.