The Role of the Mosque as Community Center: A Social Sustainable Approach

Mosque the most important institution in Islam and is a center and symbol of Islam in the Islamic community. Since its inception, the mosque played a pivotal role and was considered as center of community development. It played a vital role in enhancing the spirituality and social bonds of the community at large. The current condition of the contemporary mosque as community center is deteriorating and the role of the Mosque in our lives is receiving less attention and recognition. The mosque in the current scenarios is used as place of worship only and the relationship with the mosque is very limited and timely only. The Muslim community will not experience a positive change if they do not change the status and functions of the mosques i.e. if they constructively change themselves and their relationship with their mosques. Muslim community itself has caused a crisis and it is a dire need to regain the status of the mosque as community center to avoid the collapse of ummah.This research aims to introduce the idea of changing uses and meaning of the mosque in contemporary Muslim societies by evaluating the social sustainability and the multiuse of the mosque. The method is to examine textual reference Quran and hadith and to adopt approach towards typological development of the mosque in the case studies as follows:1. To critically examine the position, roles and functions of the mosque institution as a community center in Muslim history.2. To provide a blueprint for restoring the intrinsic status and roles of the mosque institution as a community center today.