Year 6 visited Leicester Central Mosque to deepen their understanding of Islam and explore our RE question, “What do people believe?”

Pupils explored the main prayer areas and a smaller prayer section, learning how these spaces are used for worship. They learnt about the Five Pillars of Islam and the importance of prayer in Muslims’ daily lives. They also discovered why prayer times change with the seasons, while remaining linked to the same parts of the day, such as dawn and sunset. The prayer times are displayed on a screen in the mosque, and the community know about the times as a timetable is uploaded and distributed each month.

The children explored the mosque’s features, including the beautifully decorated mihrab, which shows the direction of prayer, and the minbar, where the Friday sermon is delivered. They saw the names and attributes of the Prophet Muhammad displayed to the left of the mihrab and the 99 beautiful names of Allah displayed to the right. They also learnt how the dome’s design helps project sound around the prayer hall.

During their visit to the wudhu area, pupils learnt that washing before prayer has both a physical and a spiritual meaning. As well as cleaning the body, Muslims believe that wudhu helps wash away sins and prepares the heart and mind for worship.

Seeing these features first-hand helped pupils connect their classroom learning with a working place of worship and understand the mosque’s role in the community.

Thank you to Leicester Central Mosque for welcoming us and sharing their knowledge with our pupils.