Mosques are not temples or 'houses of God', and no liturgical acts are performed in them. They are a place for prayer and meditation, and a meeting place. Believers come to the mosque to perform their ritual, mandatory prayers with others, although private prayer is also practised. Believers face the qibla when praying, bowing when necessary and reciting verses from the Qur'an.
Mosques are also centres for training and learning. In the weekly sermon given during Friday prayers, the imam discusses a specific religious theme recited from the minbar (pulpit) and, outside prayer times, the learned can give conferences on theological or scientific topics.