Walking into a Mosque as a westerner can be a foreign feeling, we understand, but rest assured you will be met with warmth and hospitality. You will have the opportunity to experience an architectural marvel and see what it would feel like walking into a Mosque in the Middle East. We ask that all our guests view this as a memorable opportunity to experience just a small piece of our everyday lives as Muslims. Expect to be on your best behavior, as if you were to walk into a beautiful cathedral. Chairs will be provided to our guests in need - the rest of our guests will join us in being seated on the carpet. Masjid Al Hayy is gracious enough to allow our families and friends to sit with their spouses and partners; traditionally men and women sit, pray and gather separately at the mosque. Since they are kind enough to allow us the opportunity for all of our family and friends to sit together (gender mix), it is imperative that our guests act respectful and do not partake in public displays of affection or inappropriate behavior (this does not include affection of family members to their children, grandchildren). This also includes respectful mannerisms, language and general behavior. We ask that our guests respect and comply with these rules fully or otherwise will be escorted out of the Mosque.

Yes! Every woman entering the Mosque (who has reached the age of puberty) will be required to cover her head out of respect using a scarf. No worries though, our female family and friends will not need to wear under-scarves or pin their hijab; No experience will be needed to execute your hijab properly. All you will need to do is pull your hair into a low bun, place the scarf over your head and flip one of the scarf tails over your shoulder! The top of your hair and hairline should be covered - it's that easy! Anyone needing assistance or who may have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us! THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE AND GUESTS WHO ARE UNWILLING TO COMPLY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE MOSQUE.

We're glad you asked! This is one of the most important details for our guests to be informed about. Men and women alike are required to follow specific dress code in order to enter the mosque and attend the Nikkah. For Men: Men are permitted to wear short or long sleeve shirts and pants (Formal jeans are allowed without any frays or holes). Shirts should be solid (may be patterned) but free of any graphic design or imaging. Men are required to cover their knees, even when sitting, so shorts are not permitted in the Mosque. You will remove your shoes upon entering and place them in a cubby; while socks are not required, they are HIGHLY encouraged. Guests with tattoos are asked to cover them to the best degree possible (i.e. long shirts, socks, collared shirts.) Tattoos that cannot be covered (face, hands, etc) are permissible so long as they are not offensive. For Women: Women are permitted to wear any of the following: Dress, skirt and blouse or pants and blouse. This being said, there are strict requirements pertaining to the garments worn. Dresses - Dresses must be long sleeve and reach close to the ankle (maxi dress length) and the fabric should be heavily opaque. They are not permitted to be low cut in the chest or back area - no cleavage should be visible and the neckline should sit high enough that a headscarf can cover any exposed skin. The neckline in the back of the dress should also sit at a modest height. Dresses may not have any slits or fabric cutouts. Dresses may be form fitting at the waist or bodice, but should not be fully form-fitted or displaying the figure underneath. Skirt and Blouse - Skirts and Blouses must follow the same rules as dresses. Skirts must be approximately ankle length and not contain any slits or cutouts; they must also be free flowing and not formfitting. Blouses must be long sleeve and highly opaque; they cannot be low cut in the front or back neckline and must not contain any graphics or imaging (patterns are acceptable.) Blouse length must meet the skirt. Pants - Pants follow the same rules as dresses. All skin must be covered and pants must be at approximate ankle length (no capris or chinos.) Pants must be loose and semi free flowing (similar to gaucho style pants.) They should not be form fitting or tightly revealing the figure underneath. Jeans are not permitted for women. Pants should not contain any slits or cutouts. The same requests for tattoos apply to women as well. The same requests for socks apply to women as well. DRESSCODE IS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE MOSQUE AND IS NON-NEGOTIABLE. GUESTS UNWILLING TO COMPLY OR DRESSED INAPPROPRIATELY WILL BE TURNED AWAY AT THE DOOR.

While children also need to follow some basic attire guidelines, they are slightly more lenient than the restrictions for adults. For young boys, long pants or formal jeans and a short sleeve or long sleeve shirt is permissible (patterns are allowed) no graphic designs or imagery. For young girls (not at the age of puberty) dresses or a skirt and top is allowed. The dress/skirt must fall comfortably below the knee. Dresses and tops must not be low cut in either the front or back neckline and must not have any slits or cutouts. Young girls are not required to wear hijab, but we request as a sign of respect that they do.

Contrary to the fear that western media has pumped into this phrase, Allahu Akbar actually just means "Allah is the greatest" We say Allahu Akbar when we are celebrating or in times of struggle, known also as "Jihad". Jihad is another word that has been grossly misused in the west and has indoctrinated uneducated individuals into ignorance regarding the actual meaning. So if, during the Nikkah, the Imam says "Takbeer" - you will hear the muslims in the room respond with "Allahu Akbar" in celebration and our guests are more than welcome to join in.

Since the reception will be taking place at a different venue, guests may wear whatever they choose. Our only request is that your choice of clothing is respectably modest (i.e. no super short dresses, high slits, exceedingly low cut tops or extremely tight dresses.) While there are no set rules in place for the reception venue, it is still a family event and there will be children in attendance. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated.

We have decided to bend on this for the sake of our guests and allow alcohol. While we will NOT be providing alcohol, guests are permitted to bring their own wine and beer. There will be a licensed bartender working that will be REQUIRED to distribute all alcoholic beverages. It is imperative that we clarify that any alcohol brought and consumed at the venue MUST be served by the bartender due to liability reasons, failure to do so will cause the venue to penalize us. This puts us in a position where we will require noncompliant guests to leave the reception, so we ask everyone be understanding and compliant. We will provide tubs with ice for alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. IF there is spare room in the kitchen fridge, it may also be stored there, but we will not be able to determine this until the day of the wedding. Guests will be responsible for keeping track of their own alcohol content, count and location. We, nor the bartender, are responsible for any discrepancies. Drink only what you bring and do not consume what is not yours. At the end of the reception, our guests are responsible for taking their alcohol with them at the end of the night.