Masjid (Mosque) Planning

The paper identifies those planning factors which are peculiar to masjids, including optimum siting to attract the maximum number of muslims; external and internal facilities required by Islam; utilities, including approximations of electrical, water, and sewage requirements; shape and size of the structure; separate entrances for men, women, and staff; an environment conducive to maximum spiritual inspiration and purification; distance from transportation centers and daily conveniences; and parking requirements, which vary from masjid to masjid. Daily activities should be centered around the ordinary masjid (which would require little parking), periodical requirements should be centered around the jumma masjid (which would require a well-developed parking area), and requirements centralized for one entire urban area should be near the Eid Prayer area (which would require numerous parking areas).