Schools Visit-Redhill Jamia Mosque

For School Visits

Visiting a mosque can be a spiritually enriching and culturally enlightening experience. If you are planning a visit to a mosque in Surrey, here are some helpful tips and insights to ensure an enjoyable and respectful experience. A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims. It serves as a community centre where people gather for prayers, educational activities, and social services. In Surrey, there are several mosques, each with its unique architecture and community, reflecting the diverse Muslim population in the area.

Exploring Local Faith

A Visit to Redhill Jamia Mosque

Organising a school visit to the Redhill Jamia Mosque Al-Mustafa (also known as the Redhill Islamic Centre) is a great way to provide students with a hands-on look at Islamic faith and local community life.

As-salamu alaykum—Peace be upon you all.

A Message from the Head Imam

On behalf of the community here at Redhill Jamia Mosque, I would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to the teachers and students of your school.

We believe that our mosque is not just a place of prayer, but a house of learning and a hub for our local neighbours. In Islam, the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred duty, and we are truly honoured that you have chosen to spend part of your school day with us to learn about our faith and traditions.

Today, you aren’t just visitors; you are our guests. We invite you to look around, to listen, and—most importantly—to ask questions. Whether you are curious about the patterns on our walls, the way we pray, or how we serve the people of borough of Reigate and Benstead, no question is too small.

We hope that when you leave us today, you take with you a deeper understanding of your Muslim neighbors and a sense of the peace that we strive to build here every day. We are so glad to have you with us.”

Before You Enter: Arrival and Etiquette

When the school bus pulls up, there are a few immediate cultural norms to keep in mind.

Modest Dress:

Both students and staff should wear loose-fitting clothing. Generally, arms and legs should be covered (long trousers or skirts and long-sleeved shirts are ideal).

The Shoe Zone:

Upon entering, everyone will be asked to remove their shoes and place them on the provided racks. This keeps the prayer carpets clean, as worshippers prostrate their faces onto them.

Head Coverings:

Advanced Tools

Headscarves may be required for female students and staff, or they may choose to bring their own. This act serves as a sign of respect rather than an obligation of faith for visitors.

Hoodies:

If students are wearing hoodies, they’ll usually be asked to keep their hoods down inside the building.

Gendered Entrances:

Some mosques have separate entrances for men and women. However, for school tours, Redhill Jamia usually directs the entire group through the main entrance. Just keep an eye out for signage so the group stays together.

The Carpets:

Once the shoes are off, the carpeted area is considered a "sacred space." This is where the "no running" rule is most important.

What to expect during this visit:

Step Inside the Mosque

Dress Code

Q&A Session

The Imam will likely greet the group with a slight nod or a hand over his heart—a traditional sign of respect and sincerity.

He will often invite the students to sit on the carpet in a circle around him. This breaks down the "teacher-student" barrier and makes the session feel more like a community chat.

He will likely emphasise that the mosque is a community space, often mentioning the charity work or food drives they host, showing that the building serves a purpose beyond just the five daily prayers.

Individuals who visit without pre-booking should enquire with the Visits Team or Reception staff on arrival about the possibility of a guided tour dependent upon staff availability.

For group tours, please complete our Booking Form ahead of the proposed visit. Dates get booked very quickly, so please book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Group sizes are normally up to 30 people. Tours last on average an hour and a half, but can be adjusted if required.

Students and Teacher who attend are given a tour of the whole Mosque premises, followed by a “Question & Answer” session. Some schools may bring their own work sheet of questions for their students to go through with our guide. Various simple leaflets and Islamic literature are presented to the students if and when the needs arise.