All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection, data Analysis and data interpretation were done by Mofassera Jahan, Mahmuda Haque Moon and Nasrin Sultana. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Mofassera Jahan and Mahmuda Haque Moon. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Research paper Title
Rethinking the purpose of mosque open spaces in the context of Bangladesh
Personal Biography
1. Mofassera Jahan (mofassera1303@gmail.com):
Currently working at PERCEIVE; a research based organization, leads the research team by coordinating the research project, designing the experimental or measurement techniques, writing and editing the manuscript for substantive content. Achieved her Bachelor of Architecture(B.Arch.) degree from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology with merit and developed a great interest in Universal design, Child-friendly design, Built environment, Urban design, Green Architecture, and Heritage management. Have a conference paper published in "3rd International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural development (COSVARD 2020)" at smart village lab of University of Melbourne. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge to make a significant contribution to the future cities.
2. Mahmuda Haque Moon (mahmuda.arch@diu.edu.bd):
Working as a Lecturer in the dept. of Architecture at Daffodil International University. She achieved her B.Arch. from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. Her research interests include sustainable and inclusive design practices, with a particular focus on creating environments that prioritize the needs of children and women. She is keen on exploring green architecture with eco-friendly principles into urban planning and Landscape design.
3. Nasrin Sultana (nasrinandsultana@gmail.com):
Recently working at 'PERCEIVE'. She is a member of research team where she collect necessary data, analysis them and assist in report writing. Completed her Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree from Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology with merit. She had a growing interest in urban design and planning, Housing design, Sustainable design, and architectural conservation.
Paper Abstract
In Bangladesh, where Islam is the predominant faith, mosques and their open spaces primarily function as centers for prayer and Quranic education, often limiting their role in broader community engagement. This paper will address the significant barriers preventing mosque open spaces from fulfilling broader social functions, with a particular focus on the inclusion of women and girls in the context of Bangladesh. Through a series of case studies of mosque open spaces from the top six big cities—Dhaka, Chittagong, Barishal, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet—of Bangladesh, the paper aims to analyze existing practices and seeks to demonstrate how mosque open spaces can evolve from being predominantly religious centers to more vibrant and multifunctional hubs that contribute to urban inclusivity and cohesion. The mosque areas are chosen with an emphasis on their location to the more dense areas and to the socio-economic status of that specific area’s people. Additionally, the study will examine how people’s socio-economic status influences the exclusion of women from the mosque open spaces, based on the interviews and questionnaires. After analyzing the case studies, it shows that, except for a few mosques, most of the mosque areas neither work as a communal gathering place nor have the provision of women for praying. The questionnaire and interviews reveals that lack of proper religious knowledge and negligence in the women's access to these areas made the situation worse. The study will suggest modifications that include- accessible facilities, dedicated spaces for women’s activities, and flexible areas that can contribute to a more equitable urban environment by creating awareness and ensuring the participation of community people.
