Every Friday prayer in our mosque brings the same familiar sight – a true chaos of shoes at the entrance. Dozens, sometimes hundreds of pairs of shoes, scattered without order, piled on top of each other, some even blocking the entrance itself. When the prayer ends, the search begins – “Where are my shoes?”, “Who stepped on them?”, “Why did someone accidentally wear mine?”

This scene, although common in many Muslim communities, is something rarely seen in Japan. There, entrances to temples, traditional houses, and even schools are examples of discipline and order. Shoes are neatly arranged, with their toes facing outward for easier wearing. No one rushes to throw them anywhere, nor is anyone afraid they won’t find their own.

So why does this simple practice seem impossible for us? Is it habit, lack of awareness, or do we simply not pay attention?

Imagine, just for a moment, what it would look like if everyone entering the mosque left their shoes carefully and organized. How much time would we save? How much better impression would we leave? How much would we respect the cleanliness of our places of prayer?

Order is not only a reflection of discipline, but also of respect – respect for the place, for others, and for oneself. Perhaps it is time to learn something from Japanese culture and bring that spirit of organization into our mosques as well. After all, faith teaches us cleanliness, and order is part of it.