Islamic "mosqueing" and the appropriation of public spaces

mosqueing, adj., claiming a public or private space through the Islamic act of prostrating in prayer.

appropriate, v., to take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.

On 16 March 2026 Trafalgar Square in London saw a large public gathering of Muslims celebrating the end of the Ramadan fast. In attendance was the Muslim mayor of London Sadik Khan and senior Islamic clerics. A large area was fenced off for the occasion, during which thousands of people prostrated in prayer, with men at the front and women separated into a group placed behind them. Loudspeakers issued verses from the Qur'an and other statements, people shouted Allahu Akbar!, proclaiming Islam as the one true faith, above all others. Needless to say, some people took exception to this, including Conservative Party member of Parliament Nick Timothy who subsequently issued on X a statement proclaiming it "an act of domination" as follows:

Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination. The adhan - which declares there is no god but allah and Muhammad is his messenger - is, when called in a public place, a declaration of domination. Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions. And given their explicit repudiation of Christianity they certainly do not belong in our churches and cathedrals. I am not suggesting everybody at Trafalgar Square last night is an Islamist. But the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook. Trafalgar Square belongs to all of us. It is a national memorial to our independence and our salvation. Last night was not like a televised football match or a St Patrick’s Day celebration. It was an act of domination and therefore division. It shouldn’t happen again (Timothy 2026).

This resulted in a flurry of criticism calling him an Islamophobe; called for his sacking from the party; and calling for his to withdraw his remarks, otherwise he would be accused of "hate speech" and likely face criminal action under British law. Needless to say, he did not back down or retract; he was not sacked from his party or parliament; and widespread support rose up in his defence.

Why such controversy? Google AI will tell you in part why, in answer to the question put by the present writer:

Q: What is the Islamic meaning of mosque?

Ans.: A mosque, known in Arabic as a masjid, means "place of prostration" and is a dedicated space for Muslims to gather for prayer and worship of Allah. It serves as a community center for daily prayers, Friday sermons, education, and reflection. While a mosque is typically a covered building, any clean, open space can serve this purpose, reflecting the concept that the entire earth can be a place of worship.

Recent controversy surrounding the Muslim "taking over" of public spaces in Europe, the Americas and Australia reveals that there is more to it then Google AI reveals. The practice of senior Islamic clerics and others, including large crowds of Muslims, prostrating in prayer within non-Islamic mosque building spaces such as Christian churches, Trafalgar Square in London, and in front of the Town Hall, Sydney, this has historically bore deeper significance.

In 637AD Calif Omar entered Jerusalem and when talking to Patriarch Sof.... (Ibrahim 2026).

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References

Arora, Aron, There’s nothing sinister about Muslim prayers in Trafalgar Square. As a bishop, I reject the right’s attacks on worship, The Guardian, 20 March 2026.

Ibrahim, Raymond, Muslims turn doormat Christians into Prayermats, Raymond Ibrahim, 28 March 2026, YouTube, duration: 130.02 minutes. Relevant discussion at approximate 75 minute mark.

Sacerdoti, Jonathan, Feeling uncomfortable about Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square isn’t racist, The Spectator, 19 March 2026.

timothy, Nick, [Comment on Trafalgar Square Islamic event], X.com, 17 March 2026. 

Wikipedia, Conversion of non-Islamic spaces into places of worship, Wikipedia, accessed 29 March 2026.

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Last updated: 29 March 2026

Michael Organ, Australia