BFA+MFA 2022

Virtual Space, 2022

Alaa Albarazy

MetaMosque – Envisioning the Mosque as a Virtual Public Space

MFA in Design

Historically, the mosque was not only a space for communal prayer but also a place for building a community. Today, however, with conflicts and diseases fragmenting society, people are less able to gather physically in large spaces, such as mosques. Out of necessity, people rely increasingly on technology to get together and interact virtually. In this context, my research challenges the notion of the mosque as a mere physical space, proposing, instead, its extension into virtual space. Recent global events pose the question: Can the metaverse offer an opportunity for the mosque to reassert itself as a public space? MetaMosque facilitates vital, spiritual and communal functions—similar to a physical mosque—creating a sense of belonging and unity across social and physical boundaries. Rather than replacing the traditional mosque's capabilities, MetaMosque extends them, forming a virtual public space and contributing to a more accessible and inclusive virtual society.