The role of the mosque and church in rites of worship

Abstract

Three important and essential elements in the establishment of the religious rites within Islam and Christianity include the following: (1) a place to conduct these rites of worship, namely mosques and churches, (2) religious clerics or priests, and (3) ritual instructions. Of these, the mosque and the church hold great importance as the veritable cradle for the establishment of the religious rites and practices of these faiths. Hence, if we wish to understand what is transpiring today with regard to religious rites of Islam and Christianity, we must recognize the essential nature of the mosque and church and their utility. In terms of establishing rites of worship for a religious community, the mosque and church have many benefits that cannot be ignored by Muslim and Christian clerics nor the general body of the faithful. Amongst these benefits are protection and strengthening of religion and faith in God, expansion of religious society, and instilment of unity amongst the faithful.