Year 8 students recently visited Morden Mosque as part of their Religious Studies programme, gaining a valuable first-hand insight into Islam and the role faith plays in communities around the world.
The visit provided an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Islamic beliefs and practices while exploring connections between Islam, Christianity and Judaism, the Abrahamic faiths they have been studying in class.
During a guided tour of the mosque and community centre, students learned about the Five Pillars of Islam, the importance of daily prayer and the beliefs that shape the lives of Muslims across the globe. They also explored the role of the mosque as both a place of worship and an important community hub.
Students impressed their hosts with the quality of their questions, demonstrating genuine curiosity and a strong desire to learn more about different faith traditions. Discussions focused on how religious beliefs influence everyday life and the significance of worship, community and service within Islam.
One of the highlights of the visit was an immersive virtual reality experience, which enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of Hajj, the pilgrimage undertaken by millions of Muslims. The experience helped bring classroom learning to life and offered a powerful perspective on one of the most significant journeys in the Islamic faith.
Reflecting on the visit, Josh in Year 8 said:
“On 14 October we took a trip to Morden Islamic Centre where we learned about the Five Pillars of Islam. We learned that Islam, Judaism and Christianity are all monotheistic religions and all believe in prophets. We also learned about the place of prayer and that people have to pray five times per day at specific times. We also got to do a VR experience going through Hajj. Overall, it was a really fun experience and everybody learned things about Islam and is excited to take a deeper dive.”
By engaging directly with a living faith community, students were able to make meaningful connections between their classroom studies and the wider world, developing a richer understanding of religious belief, culture and identity.
We are grateful to the staff and Imam at Morden Mosque for their warm welcome and engaging presentation, and to Miss Merchant for helping to facilitate such a memorable and enriching experience. Congratulations also to our Year 8 students, whose thoughtful questions and excellent engagement were highly praised throughout the visit.