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Original poster

Living opposite a mosque

64 replies

Sandrine1982 · 14/08/2021 12:42

Just after a bit of advice. We're thinking of putting an offer on a house that ticks most of our boxes.
It is just across the road from a (not very large) mosque, so I wonder what the potential drawbacks might be. I'm very sensitive to noise but I don't think mosques are particularly noisy places of worship, since in the UK they are not allowed to broadcast the call for prayers. (For the same reason I wouldn't want to live next to a church if the bells rang several times a day, even just on a Sunday.) I've also heard that parking can be an issue especially on Fridays, but this shouldn't be a problem as we don't really use our car much. But it might bother me if cars are constantly revving outside our windows trying to find a space? I don't know.
Does anyone have experience living near a mosque? How would you describe it?

(Respectful replies only, please. This is not about religion)

Thanks in advance :)

OP posts:

Brown76 · 14/08/2021 12:43

My first thought was parking problems. Is there controlled parking in the area? Can you find out from neighbours if this is an issue.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 14/08/2021 12:45

Only parking issues really. I don't think mosque goers would be particularly antisocial or noisy

Wombatstew · 14/08/2021 12:46

Can you go there at different times of the day / week and see what the parking is like?

GoWalkabout · 14/08/2021 12:47

I'd go down there on a Friday and get a feel

flashbac · 14/08/2021 12:47

It depends. Is it a well used mosque? It could get quite noisy in Ramadan and don't forget about dawn prayers (but not many go to the mosque for this). Willing to share rough location?
If you are not bothered about parking and If your house is set back from the road and/or your bedroom is not at the front it might not be an issue.

user1471530109 · 14/08/2021 12:49

Go on a Friday afternoon/evening. The mosques where I used to live would mean roads were actually blocked due to the parking issues. Although these were much bigger places from the sounds of it.

NiceTwin · 14/08/2021 12:52

They certainly do have a call to prayer at the larger mosques in our area.
We are approx 5 miles as the crow flies and we can hear it if the weather conditions allow.

Mosques are very sociable places, so it's not a case of prayers over and go home, there is usually a lot of hanging about and chatting.
Parking is notoriously bad around mosques, think of the school run, cars slung anywhere and everywhere, especially if running late.
Personally, I would swerve it unless you are tolerant of noise.

PeonyTime · 14/08/2021 12:52

I've lived close to a mosque, but not in the UK.
Things to consider : the call to prayer, but you've already covered that (we used to get it in stereo, from 2 different mosques, 5 times a day, you quickly get used to it).

Friday mornings - that is like a Sunday church service, and the most frequently attended. Check parking. I'd be surprised if it was noisy, just busy. I'd check it out next week.

I'd also find out when Quran classes were held for the kids, and go look at that time too.

Ramadan - often additional people attending prayers during the holy month. You wont be able to check this out tho.

1990b · 14/08/2021 12:53

If its busy on a Friday, its because it Jummah prayers . Friday is the most important day of the week for prayers.

If the mosque has classes for children and adults it could also get busy at pick up time.

During Ramadan, there are more people attending mosque for prayers and evening taraweh prayers which are straight after isha prayers ( the last of the 5 )

Xyzzzzz · 14/08/2021 12:56

My nursery is near one and on a Friday it’s very busy and struggle to park etc. They also run classes on an evening for children that are busy too. Best to check yourself

Original poster

Sandrine1982 · 14/08/2021 12:59

Thanks everyone. I've heard that the call for prayer was allowed in some mosques in the UK for ramadan. How can I check which ones?

OP posts:

Oblomov21 · 14/08/2021 12:59

It would be an absolute no from me. I drive past a mosque in my way to work. Can cause gridlock.

wizzywig · 14/08/2021 13:01

Some carry out weddings, parts of a funeral service. It's like living near any place of worship

flashbac · 14/08/2021 13:04

@NiceTwin

They certainly do have a call to prayer at the larger mosques in our area. We are approx 5 miles as the crow flies and we can hear it if the weather conditions allow.

What area is this? Genuine question.

middleeasternpromise · 14/08/2021 13:05

I lived opposite a mosque, it was a medium sized community mosque - I honestly never saw it as a problem. There was a pattern of busyness as people have said, parking could get a bit increased around prayer times but actually lots of people walked or maybe parked further away because they didn't want to get stuck either. I am in a city so its not like buildings sit empty - it would have been something else with associated useage. I now live near a restaurant and I would much prefer the mosque. The restaurant users are loud; disrespectful parkers; anti-social. The mosque was a very courteous community member in my experience.

TheQueef · 14/08/2021 13:05

Go and see it on a Friday at prayer time.
It's the easiest way.
If you can cope with that every week then consider it.

Mamamamasaurus · 14/08/2021 13:08

I'm about 3 miles away from the nearest mosque (ATCF) and I can hear the prayer calls if the wind is in the right direction

Parking can be a bit difficult but mainly on a Friday so I'd recommend going and seeing how busy it gets around 1-2:30pm on Fridays. Ramadan will always be busier and more people will attend earlier prayers.

That said, if the mosque is in a built up area, they'll be more considerate of the surrounding houses. DH has heard the Imam asking the congregation to be considerate of the local houses when it comes to leaving and parking during busy times. If the area you're looking at has a higher Muslim population, you may find that more people walk to mosque as opposed to driving though - FIL used to walk from our house even though he could have driven, it was just part of his 'process for going to mosque'

Original poster

Sandrine1982 · 14/08/2021 13:22

Those people who hear the prayer calls... how? Is this in the uk? Or do you hear the call from inside the mosque??

OP posts:

LobotomisedIceSkatingFan · 14/08/2021 13:31

I think I'd quite like it, notwithstanding the traffic. I'm intrigued by the idea that the call to prayer isn't permitted in the UK. Is that true? Struggle to believe it when we have church bells.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/08/2021 13:31

Less than a mile away from several mosques here. Never heard a thing, the traffic's a bit busy on Fridays during Ramadan.

Mind you, don't have an issue with church bells, either. Do have an issue with loudly amplified charismatic/evangelical stuff, though. BIG issue - mainly due to being publicly bollocked repeatedly by an ex boss for trying to keep the output to under 120dB and still being told it wasn't loud enough for The Lord to hear it. Just fuck off. If he can hear bloody single sparrow chirps (yes, I have actually read the book rather than just scrawl all over it with highlighters and gel pens where you're told to look), he can bloody well hear a bunch of middle class white folk without breaking noise pollution and health and safety laws.

Original poster

Sandrine1982 · 14/08/2021 13:33

OP posts:

eightlivesdown · 14/08/2021 13:34

@Sandrine1982

Those people who hear the prayer calls... how? Is this in the uk? Or do you hear the call from inside the mosque??

From Wiki:

On 5 May 2020 Waltham Forest council, London, gave eight mosques permission to publicly broadcast its call to prayer during Ramadan. On 14 May 2020 Newham Council followed suit, granting permission to nineteen mosques within the London borough to publicly broadcast its call to prayer during Ramadan. Many residents in the area of Newham, in dispute of the decision, wrote to the Mayor's office occupied by Rokshana Fiaz. On the 20 May 2020 residents concerned with the public broadcast to prayer received a response back from the Mayor in which she stated: "I am sorry if you were offended by the call to prayer, but the Council does not propose to take any further action or correspond further on this matter."

Harrow Council proposed a planning application to allow Harrow Central Mosque to publicly broadcast its prayer call every Friday at 6 pm for three months.

On 31 May 2020, Maidenhead Mosque was given permission by Maidenhead council to publicly broadcast its call to prayer on a one-off occasion.

JustJustWhy · 14/08/2021 13:34

I can't stand the awful noise of church bells. I love the call to prayer though!

reprehensibleme · 14/08/2021 13:35

Lobotomised, I think call to prayer is fine, just not through loudspeakers.

TheQueef · 14/08/2021 13:38

I loved it when I did years ago.
Free food almost every day and people ambling around to chat to, saying hello.
I didn't have kids or a car then.
I couldn't cope trying to drive there though.

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