Straight from the horse's mouth - masjids (mosques) are fortresses of
Islam, from which Muslim armies sprang up to spread Islam's
"message" to the world ...

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Masjid: the fortress of Islamic faith
Published: Friday, 14 March, 2008, 03:19 AM Doha Time

THE Masjid is the fortress of faith; the guardian of virtues; the home of the
pious; the meeting place of Muslims; the centre of consultation and mutual 
advice, and the first school from which the Muslim graduates. The Masjid 
provides relief and respite to the needy and the distressed. Muslim armies 
sprang from the Masjid and spread the message of Islam to all parts of the 
world within a short time.

[...]

Full story at "Gulf Times" Qatar
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/
article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=207179&version=1&template_id=47&parent_id=27

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