Masjid Design Concept

In the Eastern hemisphere, Mosque designs have experienced fourteen centuries of development, while in the Western hemisphere, mosque design is clearly an architectural novelty. While the mosque in North America has the same purpose and scope to mumin in the Eastern hemisphere, the regional settings cannot be overlooked during the design process; environmental and regional infrastructure must be taken into account.

The Dawoodi Bohra mosque, in addition to its primary function as a site for prayers and madrasa, should take into account the hospitality concept of the community. Almost every religious function is followed by a jaman (meal) and when ever the Dai-al Mutlaq graces the community with his visit, all the mumin from around the world are invited. The common area is designed to be flexible, to accomodate for such circumstances.

Attendance in our Jamaat varies between ten and twenty-five thaals (eight mumin per thaal) during Ashara and Ramadhan. At present, general functions do not exceed fifteen thaals.

Proposed Site Plan:

The site is compose of two separate lots, a two-acre and an adjoining three-acre lot. The two-acre lot is the current site of the Markaz, while the three-acre lot is the site of the Dar-ul Imarat. County regulations require us to file a subdivision application, should we combine the two lots. In addition, both existing structures would have to be demolished. By keeping the new Masjid structure on the two-acre lot and dedicate the extra land in the back for additional land required for septic and green area, the 3-bedroom house could be saved for Darul Imarat. Adjoining the right side of the property is a Seven-Days Adventist Church. At present, with the church's consent, we use the church's parking lot in winter months, while they use our lot on Saturdays for additional parking. The parking-lot design of the new masjid will connect the two adjacent lots for convenience. County regulations also require a storm-water management pond. The Church has a large pond on their property and will be open to a discussion for the joint use of that pond, which may allow the County to excuse us from building our own.

Building Design:

The Masjid is the most prominent part of the Markaz, while all the other functions are held in auxiliary units. The design reflects this by projecting the Masjid outward and keeping it higher then the rest of the structure. With the exception of the dedicated Masjid area, the interior layout is designed to serve a multifunctional role; the layout minimizes the space wasted for corridors and circulation. All the plumbing is concentrated on one side of the building to better protect it from sever winters. The first and second floors have full bathrooms with eastern toilets and double doors. On special occasions, they may be separated from the main toilets to serve as a full bath for VIP-private rooms.

The areas are zoned to open spaces as required for climate control. The Dumb waiter from the kitchen makes all the levels accessible for serving jaman on special occasions.

The minaret is adapted from Al-Jame Al-Juyshia in Cairo, Egypt. The pointed arches, the medallion, the Minaret and the Qibla are revival of Fatimi Architecture and is becoming a standard for all the Masjids build in the time of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS). The geometrical Arabic design on top of the Masjid and main entrance represents chain of continuity.