Tips for Visiting
Thank you for your interest in visiting our center. Our doors are open to you, and we welcome you to come and visit us. We offer free tours, opportunities to observe any of our five daily prayers or Friday prayer service, or meet with someone to answer any questions you have about Islam. Please click on our visit us page in order schedule a day and time to visit.
We are more that happy to host you and welcome you to our center and make your visit as enjoyable and pleasant as possible.
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Metairie, LA 70003
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FAQ's & tips for visiting JMA
Your personal guide to visiting the Jefferson Muslim Association.
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Can I, a non-Muslim, visit the mosque?
Yes, you most certainly can! Our mosque is open to non-Muslims of all faiths and backgrounds. We highly look forward to welcoming you inside our place of worship.
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To visit the mosque, do I need to contact you ahead of time?
We want to make sure that you have a guide to host you on your visit and that that we can coordinate a convenient day and time for you to visit, so yes, it is best for you to contact us ahead of time. This is especially important if you would like to observe one of our daily prayers, in which we can let you know of the times you can attend.
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As is usually practiced when entering any place of worship, we ask that all, men and women, dress modestly. For men, this usually means wearing pants that at least cover the knees. For women, this means wearing long, loose-fitting clothing. Skirts should be avoided. Women should wear the headscarf (or hijab). It is a requirement for entering the mosque. If you would like to wear a scarf but do not have one, we can provide you with one upon request.
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In places of prayer, which are usually carpeting, you will be required to remove your shoes, as this is done to maintain the cleanliness of the prayer areas. There are shoe racks located near both the men’s and women’s prayer halls where shoes can be placed.
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In our mosque, men and women pray in separate prayer halls. Thus, if you would like to observe one of our daily prayers, please be aware that you will be observing the prayer in one the respective prayer halls based on your gender. Your guide will be sure to lead you to the correct prayer hall.
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Is it okay to ask questions during my visit?
Yes! Please do not hesitate to ask any questions that may come to mind. We are more than happy to answer any and all questions (in fact, we encourage it!)
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Due to more strict rules of modesty in Islam, it is not usually the practice that men and women shake hands with members of the opposite sex (men shaking hands with men and women with women is of course done). Please do not be offended if a member of the opposite sex does not shake your hand. They do not mean it as a matter of disrespect or to avoid you. You might see them instead make a slight bow with their hand over their heart, as a way of greeting you.
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Observing Jumu’ah (Friday prayer)
The Jumu’ah (Arabic for Friday) prayer is a special congregational prayer held weekly on Friday afternoons during the timing of the second prayer of the day for Muslims. The Jumu’ah consists of a sermon delivered by the khateeb (one who delivers the sermon) followed by a communal prayer. You are more than welcome to observe any Friday prayer. Just give us a call or email us and we can arrange it for you.
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Is there anything else I need to be aware of?
Another greeting you might hear from congregants is the Muslim greeting of “As-salamu ‘alaykum" (meaning peace be with you). The answer, if you would like to use it, is “Wa-alaykum-as-salam" (peace be with you, too).
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