Mosque Restrooms

[Yumanite]

So, I was at an event yesterday that took place outside of a mosque. I went inside to use the restroom, and I noticed a couple things which I would have been embarassed to ask anyone about (thank goodness for the SDMB).

First of all, there was some kind of trough on the floor with taps at foot-level. Seemed to be for foot bathing. What's up with that?

Also, inside the stall, next to the toilet, there was a hose with a spigot, and a little bucket with a spout like people use for watering plants. The toilet was otherwise equipped in the standard fashion. Didn't look like a bidet or anything.

So, can someone kindly explain these things to me? I would appreciate it.

[Duck Duck Goose]

Just guessing here.

Ritual washing is really important in Islam. So I'm guessing you were looking at the footbath, and at the arrangement-for-washing-off-one's-private-parts without having to have a bidet installed next to the toilet (there probably wasn't room for two appliances, if it was a typical American toilet stall).

http://www.saburchill.com/history/ch...islam/003.html

Before entering the hall of prayer you have to take off your shoes, wash your feet, face ,hands and arms. Often there are baths if you want a complete wash.

[Yumanite]

Thanks for taking a stab at it, DDG.

I'm kinda surprised that no one else seems to be able to answer "from the know" -- I think this dropped off the radar too fast. So, I'll give it a little bump, then let it die if no one takes the bait.

[panamajack]

I don't know enough about mosques to know what the trough is, but the watering can is something not restricted to mosques. I only know the Hindi word for it (the watering can), which is lota.

It's the usual way (for many people in the world) of cleaning yourself after evacuating your bowels. Compare it to toilet paper, which is often thought of as unsanitary by those who use water. While those who only use water use the hand to wipe, it's often the case where both are available that people use both -- water, then just one wipe with paper.

[Chronos]

In my college Intro to Islam class, we visited a mosque, and there were, indeed, extra fixtures in the lavatory for foot-washing, which are a part of the required ablutions.