Religious Studies GCSE visit to the Al Mahdi Centre

The visit to the Al Mahdi Centre, the Fareham Mosque, was beneficial and interesting to all. When we arrived we were surprised to see that there is no dome or obvious ‘mosque’ shaped building. Sheikh Fazle told us that there had been a great deal of planning with the local community and that the Centre is designed to fit in with the environment; it is of a similar architectural shape to the nearby Titchfield Abbey.  We were surprised to hear that solar panels are concealed on the roof and that copper pipes run through the grounds bringing hot underfloor heating. These things are in support of the desire to be a steward, a ‘khalifa’, on behalf of God.

Once inside were shown areas such as the prayer halls; the mihrab facing towards Mecca; the classrooms or ‘Madrassah’; the kitchen, where meals can be cooked for 300 people on special occasions, and the area for wudu or ritual washing.  In this room deceased members of the community are washed and prepared for burial – and this made us stop and think about our own lives.

Some memorable parts of the visit included when we all took part in the prayer positions, prostrating and placing our heads on the floor; listening to Sheikh from our class reciting the Qu’ran, and the very interesting question and answer session led by Sheikh Fazle where we could give our own views and develop a further understanding of Islam.

Mrs J Turner
Head of Philosophy Religious Studies & Head of Chaplaincy