Rethinking Mosque Spaces in Shaping British Muslim Identity

Young British Muslims have been active in efforts to interrogate the existing norms within the traditional mosque landscape, especially regarding how “mosque politics” has complicated their construction of identity and community. Two prominent themes emerged around “mosque politics”: design and diversity. The last was particularly pertinent and timely. For example, plans for the opening of a women-led mosque in Bradford in 2015 reinforced the exclusionary nature of mainstream mosques.

My discussions with young British Muslims underlined the argument in Vincent Biondo’s 2006 article The Architecture of Mosques in the US and Britain that traditional mosque architecture in Western contexts creates confused identities for Muslims. Coupled with the ethnocentricity of British mosques, this has often complicated the desire for young British Muslims to integrate their faith and national identities. This raises an important question: could a cohesive British Muslim identity be formed if the mosque fulfils its original and historic role as an open communal space?

Through my research, I explored the socio-spatial role of mosques in shaping a cohesive British Muslim identity, with a particular focus on design and diversity. “Socio-spatial” refers to how social relations shape and are shaped by spatial environments. This term is helpful in illustrating the role of the mosque as both a religious and social space, using Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina as an example. As part of my Fellowship, I travelled to Canada, South Africa and the United States to research best practice in mosque design and functionality amongst minority Muslim communities, interviewing Muslim stakeholders and conducting over 30 individual meetings and large focus groups to develop the key themes in my research.

I am cautious to offer recommendations which could be seen as prescriptive for several reasons. First, there are no strict religious rules in mosque design, allowing Muslim communities to create places of worship which align with their needs. It would be unwise, therefore, to determine what is acceptable as this depends on the requirements of each local community. Furthermore, such flexibility in mosque design is an asset, and one which should be promoted.

Second, I am aware of grassroots initiatives, led and facilitated by Muslim organisations in the UK, working to change the current paradigm in mosque design and functionality. For example, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the largest and most diverse representative body for the British Muslim community in the UK, offers training around good governance in this area. Consequently, it seems sensible to let such initiatives run their course.

Third, it would be impossible to recreate the current mosque landscape in the UK to better express modern architectural styles. Despite their architectural shortcomings, existing mosques in the UK were built to reflect a certain historical context. They are a testament to a bygone era and an impetus to build new ones differently in the future – the recently built Cambridge Central Mosque in Cambridge is a salient example.

With that in mind, my research provides three practical recommendations that could help foster a cohesive faith and national identity amongst young British Muslims, especially in relation to the mosque’s role:

1. The representation of young British Muslims from diverse backgrounds to mosque committees, boards or other governing structures.
2. Where mosques are unable for practical reasons to support them within their existing structures, the development of supplementary “third spaces” designed for young and diverse British Muslims to fulfil their social, cultural and spiritual needs.
3. Training and guidance for existing mosque boards and committees around best practice on mosque design, particularly in respect of (a) creating spaces for women and other marginalised groups and (b) focusing funding efforts for these objectives.

I sincerely hope that mosque leaders and wider stakeholders will be encouraged to empower the younger generation to create mosques that reflect and reinforce a 21st-century Western context.