The Bohra community has always been highly organized and closely knit. As the Lamu mosque demonstrated, mosques were also used as community centers. They contained eating rooms, kitchens, madrassas, cemeteries, gusl khanna (rooms for washing and preparing the deceased before burial), ablution facilities, and frequently a priest’s home.

A ninesquare mandala, a distinctive layout shared by all mosques, was used in the main prayer area. Men use the ground floor, while women gather on the first story. Contrary to Sunni Muslim practice, women are urged to participate in the group prayers. The women can hear and follow the religious service without being observed by the males downstairs thanks to the mandala’s centre square being left empty.