Journal of Culture-Communication Studies

Journal of Culture-Communication Studies

Investing group communication within mosque (Case of Jame Safa Mosque, Tehran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
ali hajimisa nafoti 1
mohammad reza borzooei 2
meysam farokhi 3
1 Master's Degree, Culture and Communications Group, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran. (Corresponding Author) Email: hajimousa@isu.ac.ir / orcid: 0009-0006-9321-0702
2 Assistant Professor, Communications and Media Group, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran. Email: Borzooei@isu.ac.ir / orcid: 0000-0002-0482-0685
3 Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Cultural Studies, Refah Faculty, Tehran, Iran. Email: Farokhi@refah.ac.ir ORCID:0000-0003-0430-7192
10.22083/jccs.2025.463560.3883
Abstract
Introduction: Mosques have always played a significant role in Islamic societies, with group communication holding particular importance in these environments. Among all forms of communication, face-to-face communication stands out as one of the most effective and prevalent, especially within mosques. The ongoing presence of individuals during daily prayers facilitates this face-to-face interaction, fostering increased communication and social interaction among participants. Strengthening these interpersonal connections and guiding individuals can lead to more fruitful outcomes from these relationships. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to examine group communication within the context of Safa Mosque. The conceptual framework of this research is grounded in group dynamics, chosen due to its emphasis on interaction and communication within small, dense, and interdependent groups, as exemplified by the social fabric of Safa Mosque. The theory of group dynamics posits that individual behavior is significantly shaped by the characteristics of the group. In this context, teamwork refers to the systematic and purposeful collaboration of group members.
Method: This study adopts a qualitative research approach. It is cross-sectional in terms of timing, exploratory in nature, and applied in purpose. The study population consisted of all cultural and religious activists within the mosque. Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 individuals, including instructors, assistant instructors, and members of the advisory board. Interviews were continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Through the coding and analysis of raw data, 355 open codes (the smallest meaningful units) were initially extracted. These were subsequently grouped into 109 basic concepts, which emerged from the synthesis of the open codes and provided structure and coherence to the findings. The validity of the data was ensured through methods such as expert review, citation triangulation, transferability checks, and participant validation.
Results: The findings indicate that group communication within Safa Mosque encompasses themes such as:
Social regeneration and comprehensive empowerment,
Instructor-centered/trait-centered hierarchies,
Network-based support,
Collective good and operational rationality,
Continuous performance evaluation,
Role dynamics and diversity,
Program outsourcing,
Needs-based and specialized planning, and
Interactive and integrated trainability.
Due to the hierarchical and circle-based nature of these relationships-rooted in semantic frameworks of mentorship and discipleship (interpreted as instructor-centered/trait-centered hierarchies)-knowledge is transferred through multi-directional interactions. Social acceptance and learning are facilitated through established communication styles within defined groups and circles. Consequently, multilayered connections and affiliations have emerged, enabling the integration of individuals in terms of both function and density.
Discussion and Conclusion: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering a deeper exploration of group communication and revealing new dimensions of these interpersonal relationships. The results show that group communication in Safa Mosque is evolving towards a ritual-based communication model. These communications, while possessing top-down ritualistic aspects, are primarily rooted in organic ritual processes tied to the context of interaction.
Within the framework of the ritual approach at Safa Grand Mosque, communication transcends the mere transmission of religious content; it becomes a mechanism for community preservation over time and adaptation to contemporary developments. Therefore, communication within the mosque is not solely concerned with the spatial dissemination of religious teachings but also with the temporal continuity and cohesion of the community.
Due to the interdependent structure of the circles, they are not isolated units. Rather, their diverse needs and areas of specialization create interconnections that reinforce group unity. While each group has distinct roles and functions, a shared structural framework prevents fragmentation. In this setting, linear message transmission is not the focus. Instead, group communication is characterized by a collective effort to co-construct meaning, centered on themes such as sharing, participation, unity, fellowship, and shared belief. Emphasis is placed on internal communicative fulfillment, not on the instrumental use of communication for individual or group-centric objectives.
Keywords
religious communication
coach-oriented
Collective good and operational rationality
group interactions
Jame Safa Mosque

Subjects

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