Mosque VS Masjid...

Wednesday, August 11, 2004 6:03 PM
===========================

I just want to share this with all off you...got this from someone... The greatest enemy to knowledge is not ignorance , it is the illusion of knowledge - STEPHEN HAWKING

PLEASE CALL OUR MASJID "MASJID"! Not "MOSQUE"!!!
Please read this and pass it on to any Muslims, as much as you can. It is vital and important information. Muslims should now refrain from using the term "Mosque". I was flipping through this book the other day called "THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING ISLAM" and it is filled with fun facts. One of them concerns the term "Mosque."

So many of us think that this is the English translation of Masjid. I'm sure none of us ever wondered how this term came into being when it really had little in common with how it sounded compared to 'Masjid'. (We were very young when we were taught this English word. Our mind then were not critical & analytical, so didn't dare to ask/challenge our teachers, right?).

Anyway this book pointed out that the term 'mosque' is derived from the Spanish word for "mosquito." It was termed as such because during the Crusades, King Ferdinand said they were going to go and swat the Muslims "like mosquitoes". (Where else can they find Muslims in large number to be swatted if not in a Masjid?). So, they cheekily termed "Masjid" as "Mosque".

So dear Muslim brothers and sisters, refrain from using this term which is obviously a disgusting slap in the face to the Ummah. Educate our brothers and sisters to the history and etymology of this word.

And let us replace it with the word which is MEANT to be used: Masjid! The Place of Prostration!! Not Mosque: the place to be watted! If any of you have doubts about this, then please go look for the book and read it.