Displaying prayer times in a mosque
Clearly displaying the prayer times and broadcasting them to the community is part of a mosque's daily life. Several solutions exist, from the screen in the hall to the app on the faithful's phone. Here is how they differ and how to choose.
The great mosques once employed a muwaqqit, an astronomer charged with determining the time of prayers using instruments like the astrolabe. Measuring the time of prayer was long a matter of science.
Two distinct needs
Two uses must be separated. On one side, the display in the mosque, on a screen visible from the prayer hall, showing the day's times and the countdown to the iqama. On the other, the broadcast to the community, through an app or a site, so that the faithful can check the times from home. The best solutions cover both from the same times.
The criteria that matter
- Times set by the imam rather than only calculated, to reflect the mosque's real choices.
- A clear, customisable on-screen display, with messages and events.
- An app or a site for the faithful, linked to the same times.
- The cost, both up front and over time, and the equipment needed.
- Data protection: the absence of advertising and collection, a sensitive point for a community.
Mawaqit, the reference solution
In the world of mosques, Mawaqit has established itself as the most widespread solution. It is free, ad-free and open source, which means its code is open and verifiable. The times are set by each mosque's imam, then broadcast both on a display screen in the hall and on an app used by the faithful, who stay linked to their mosque this way. Its model, with no collection of personal data, makes it a solid option for most projects.
Masjidbox and the management platforms
Mawaqit is not alone in this field. Masjidbox, for example, is a paid solution designed for mosques: the screen is driven remotely from a browser, works offline once synchronised, and displays the times alongside announcements, events and donation campaigns. The model rests on a subscription, where Mawaqit stays free. For a team that wants a turnkey solution with support, this can be defended; a small mosque, though, will often find what it needs in a free option. Other mosque-management software also includes a time-display module, to examine case by case.
Standalone electronic clocks
Before connected screens, many mosques and homes used dedicated prayer clocks, and they remain widespread. The Al-Harameen brand is the most common: these wall clocks calculate the times themselves for thousands of cities, trigger the adhan, indicate the qibla and display the Hijri and Gregorian calendars. They cost little and need no connection, but they offer neither times finely set by the imam nor a linked app for the faithful. It is a simple, reliable display, useful as a complement or for a small hall.
Apps for the faithful
On the faithful's side, many consumer apps give the times on the phone. Salaat First, for example, is free, available in several languages and offers the common French and North African calculation methods; there are others like Athan. They are convenient, but they calculate the times from a method and a position, without being linked to the precise times of a given mosque. Their business model also varies, sometimes funded by advertising or data exploitation, which is worth a look before recommending an app to a whole community. A solution like Mawaqit or Masjidbox keeps the advantage of syncing the faithful with the real times of their mosque.
How to choose
For a small structure, a free solution linking screen and app covers the essentials at no cost. For a larger mosque or one wanting a very polished display, dedicated equipment can be justified. In every case, start from the times set by the imam, and check what becomes of the faithful's data. This subject is part of the day-to-day management of the place.
Frequently asked questions
What is the solution most used by mosques?
Mawaqit is today the reference solution: free, ad-free and open source, it is used by thousands of mosques. The times are set by the imam, and it offers both an on-screen display and an app for the faithful.
Should the times be set by the imam or calculated automatically?
Both approaches exist. Times set by the imam reflect the mosque's real choices, notably the gap between the adhan and the iqama. Purely calculated times are convenient but remain approximations. For a mosque, setting by the imam is generally preferred.
What equipment is needed for the on-screen display?
Usually a screen and a small box that drives the display, sometimes supplied by the chosen solution. Some mosques opt for a dedicated prayer clock sold by specialist suppliers. The choice depends on the budget and the level of customisation wanted.
Do these tools protect the data of the faithful?
This varies by solution. Some, like Mawaqit, highlight the absence of advertising and data collection. It is a criterion to look at closely, especially for an app meant for a whole community.
Are there alternatives to Mawaqit?
Yes. Masjidbox is a paid solution that drives the screen remotely and brings together times, announcements and donations. Standalone prayer clocks, like those of the Al-Harameen brand, offer a simple display with no connection. And on the faithful's side, apps like Salaat First give the times on the phone. Each meets a different need according to budget and level of customisation.
To go further
This guide complements our overview page, Building a mosque in France, and the Management & operation area.