Japan Mosque

Masjid (mosque) is place of worship of Allah - the Only God of this universe -

Masjid is also a center of Muslim Ummah (community) in each area. Muslims gather in masjids for performing the Salat (prayer) & to deepen their knowledge about Islam. Children & newly converted Muslims, learn about Islam & reading the Holy Quran. Programs for lectures of renowned Muslim scholars are also arranged in most Masjids.

In Japan, there are about 60 Masjids (as of December 2010), most of which are built in last 20 years. The 1st Masjid in Japan was built in 1935 in Kobe (port city near Osaka), & 2nd in 1938 in Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. After the gap of about 30 years, some Masjids were built in 1960s. Masjid building rush was started after 1990, when foreign Muslims (most of whom came to Japan in 80s) became economically established & settled their roots in the Japan's soil. Many of these foreign Muslims have married to Japanese converted Muslims. Alhamdolillah, the Japanese Muslim community is increasing steadily in Japan. Masjids are the centers of these small communities, scattered throughout Japan. These Masjids are not only the place of prayers for these Muslims, but also a place of study, especially for converted Muslims & new generation. Most of the Masjids have facilities for women & children.

Masjids throughout Japan are familiar in their localities & neighboring areas. But for people who travel to other areas, or for people visiting Japan for a short time, it is difficult to find a Masjid in their traveling region. This website is an effort to provide information about all Masjids in Japan at one place, so that anyone can easily find a Masjid in any area.

Ali Ibn Abi Talib

Ali ibn Abi (or Abu) Talib (Arabic: علي بن أبي طالب) (ca. 21 March 598 – 661) was an early Islamic leader. He is seen by the Sunni Muslims as the fourth and last of the Khulafā-i-Rāshidūn (rightly guided caliphs). Shi'a Muslims see him as the first imam and the first rightful caliph. He was also Muhammad's cousin, and, after marrying Fatima, his son-in-law as well. Thus, he is a revered figure for all Muslims, although there is dispute regarding whether he is next, or fourth, from Muhammad in merit. All Muslims respect his piety, however, and he is an important figure within the mystical (Sufi) branch of Islam where he is often cited as a link in the initiatic chain (silsilah) that each Sufi masters traces back to Muhammad. He is especially remembered for his strong conviction that inner piety must be expressed externally in just acts and in compassion for the disadvantaged. Thus, although often cited as the cause of contention between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, Ali is also a figure around whom Muslims unite, a reconciling figure given impetus by recent moves towards the mutual recognition of different legal schools in Islam. Many Sunni regard Shi’a as fifth school alongside the four Sunni schools. The Jordan declaration recognizes eight schools in total; the Amman Message, published June 7, 2005 (see Islam). On the other hand, rivalry between Sunnis and Shi'a Muslims has been damaging to the unity of Islam and to Muslims' ability to practice the ideals of their Prophet, which called for the care of all and respect for all within the ummah.

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