An Anthropological Perspective on the Mosque in Pakistan

Mughal, M.A.Z.

Abstract

The mosque occupies a central position in the social as well as religious life of Muslims. It is not only a place of worship where rituals are performed, but also serves as a social space where Muslims take part in welfare activities. The design and architecture of the mosque have local as well as global influences, representing religious, economic, and esthetic dimensions of Muslim social organization. Therefore, Muslims' association with the mosque has much significance from social, political, and economic perspectives. Based on an ethnographic example, this report aims to highlight the use of mosque space in the cultural context of rural Pakistan. In addition to discussing the sociospatial relationships around the mosque, I discuss how Muslims' beliefs about the world and the afterlife shape these relationships.

Citation

Mughal, M. (2015). An Anthropological Perspective on the Mosque in Pakistan. Asian Anthropology, 14(2), 166-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/1683478x.2015.1055543

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2016
• Journal: Asian Anthropology
• Print ISSN: 1683-478X
• Electronic ISSN: 2168-4227
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 166-181
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1683478x.2015.1055543
• Keywords: Mosques, Pakistan, Muslims, Sociospatial relationships, Welfare.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1402602