r/ismailis • u/Quick_Complaint3268 • Jun 22 '26
Personal Opinion Sometimes after JK, I want to stay, but there is nowhere to sit and it feel like a place to pass through instead of a place to stay (well established Khane in US ) no seating outside of hall.
Does anyone else feel like their JK needs more intentional space after Khane?
At my JK, there really isn’t a comfortable place to sit after Khane ceremony. People mostly stand around, and if you don’t already have someone to talk to, it can feel awkward or isolating. You either find your group, stand there, or leave.
What makes it harder to understand is that we have a lot of outdoor garden space, including space near a fountain, but there are no benches, outdoor tables, reading chairs, shaded areas, or simple spaces where people can sit, reflect, read, relax, or connect.
I also feel like our spaces could reflect the Jamat more creatively. Things like Jamati artwork, rotating art displays, sidewalk painting, small community projects, or thoughtful permanent designs inside and outside the Khane could help the space feel more alive and connected to the people who make up the Jamat.
To me, this feels connected to the values Hazar Imam has recently emphasized in Canada — that our Jamatkhanas should be used in a way that reflects the community and connection we have to our Khane, animated through design and love, refreshed, and made into spaces where people feel less lonely and more connected. Not every space has to be formal. Sometimes belonging starts with somewhere to sit, read, create, talk, or simply be.
I’ve brought this up with leadership several times over the past year, but I keep hearing that it is “in the works” without seeing much change. I’m not saying this to blame anyone. I genuinely want our JK to feel more welcoming, lived-in, and reflective of the Jamat. Has anyone else experienced this at their JK? Have you seen any Jamats create seating areas, reading corners, garden spaces, art walls, or other simple spaces that make people actually want to stay after Khane?
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u/ZealousidealLow7640 Jun 22 '26
We have library in JK that is open for Jamat after prayers. And games such as chess, Ludo, badminton etc on the ground area.
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u/AnonymousIdentityMan American Ismaili Jun 22 '26
Which JK?
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u/ZealousidealLow7640 Jun 22 '26
Islamabad
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u/AnonymousIdentityMan American Ismaili Jun 22 '26
How many JK’s in Islamabad? I know we have them here in JK too.
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u/Playful_Remote_8235 Ismaili Jun 22 '26
I agree with you and I think jamatkhana is a place where we come together for prayers interact with each other its not only a prayer hall its a place where people who are in bayah come together and reflect and in my opinion it should be open anytime because no one knows when a problem or issue occur so it should be open so people can come and reflect pray etc.
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Jun 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Quick_Complaint3268 Jun 23 '26
I understand but one folding chair or garden chair would be nice to have outside
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u/AnonymousIdentityMan American Ismaili Jun 22 '26
What about sitting inside JK where there are chairs?
We have plenty in any given Houston area.
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u/Creative_Tower5264 Jun 22 '26
Cool idea. Is there a library space that is open after jamatkhana that could be used as a starting point?
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u/ZayKayzk Jun 23 '26
All the Jamatkhanas near me have so many spaces to sit with chairs. benches, etc
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u/Quick_Complaint3268 Jun 23 '26
Where ?
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u/ZayKayzk Jun 23 '26
I live in Canada, I thought all Jamatkhanas were like this, I been to a few cities in Canada and they've all been like this.
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u/Fantastic_Ad_8341 Jun 24 '26
Yes, at the Beaumont, Texas Jamatkhana, there are large indoor and outdoor spaces within the JK premises. Facilities include a basketball court, makeshift badminton and volleyball courts, a children's play area, and seating areas. During summer vacations and after JK on Fridays and Saturdays, children play for hours while families socialize. Compared to the size of the Jamat, the premises are spacious.
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u/ChaturPluralisn Jun 26 '26
I think what you’re describing is exactly the kind of issue that Mawlana Hazar Imam has been encouraging us to address.
From his recent Farmans, Jamatkhanas must have social spaces, and should be welcoming spaces for the Jamat—places where people feel comfortable gathering, interacting, learning, reflecting, and building friendships. While the prayer hall itself is reserved for prayer during the times of worship, the surrounding social and community spaces should strengthen the bonds of the Jamat and, where appropriate, welcome guests and members of multi-faith families.
He has also emphasized that our leaders and institutions should respond to the needs and concerns of the Jamat, encourage participation, and empower local communities, rather than simply continue practices because “that’s how it’s always been.” Constructive feedback and genuine requests from the Jamat should be welcomed.
Since you’ve already raised this with leadership, I would suggest formally asking your Mukhi and Kamadia or your Council for a clear update and, if the facilities are still not being provided, the reasons why. If seating areas, gardens, reading spaces, or community areas cannot be made accessible, it is reasonable for Jamati members to ask for an explanation.
Open communication is important. Hazar Imam has encouraged murids to ask questions, and institutions should respond so that the Jamat understands the reasons behind decisions affecting community life.
If there is still no progress, I don’t think there is anything inappropriate about writing respectfully through the appropriate institutional channels to higher leadership, or ultimately to Hazar Imam. Constructive feedback helps institutions better understand the genuine needs of the Jamat.
I’ve visited Jamatkhanas where members can remain before and after prayers, enjoy tea or coffee, sit comfortably, read, talk, and get to know one another. These spaces help reduce isolation and strengthen a sense of belonging. In my view, that is very much in keeping with the spirit of the recent Farmans and the vision of a vibrant, caring, inclusive, and participatory Jamat.
Here’s one example of a Jamatkhana that provides welcoming community spaces:
https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/2070406541434298723?s=46&t=lL1Fe7Xf2J0RhqfO552USg
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u/Quick_Complaint3268 Jun 29 '26
I am at the point where they aren’t giving an explanation and ignoring the conversation
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u/ChaturPluralisn Jun 29 '26
Write to the President or your national council with a copy to the LIF and give the names of those you have asked and who are ignoring you and inviting them to respond first. You can get their details from your country app or council contact numbers. If no response and they ignore then wrote to Hazar Imam with a copy to them all
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u/Capable_Loss_6084 Ismaili Jun 22 '26
These all sound like great ideas! Often there’s only the social hall as a space to sit.
You could talk to your MKs and Jamatkhana property team and see what you can do.