Guiding Principles

The core values and philosophy that drive every design decision at MTWS. These principles ensure our digital presence reflects our community's mission and values.

Our Mission

Understanding the foundation of our community guides every design choice we make.

Community First

Since 2002, Masjid Tawheed Was-Sunnah has served the Research Triangle Park area as a center for worship, learning, and community building. Our digital presence reflects this commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

  • • Welcoming to all backgrounds and levels of knowledge
  • • Clear, jargon-free communication
  • • Multilingual support (English and Arabic)
  • • Accessible design for all abilities

Educational Excellence

We believe in the power of knowledge to transform lives. Our design system prioritizes clarity, readability, and intuitive navigation to support learning.

  • • Information hierarchy that guides understanding
  • • Readable typography optimized for long-form content
  • • Interactive elements that engage learners
  • • Consistent patterns that reduce cognitive load

Design Philosophy

How our values translate into concrete design decisions.

Clarity Above All

Every design element should serve a clear purpose and enhance understanding.

In Practice:

  • • High contrast ratios for optimal readability
  • • Generous white space to reduce visual clutter
  • • Logical information hierarchy
  • • Consistent iconography with clear meanings

Example:

Seminar Information
Understanding Tawheed
📅 December 15, 2024
🕐 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Main Prayer Hall

Clear visual hierarchy with icons for quick scanning

Universal Accessibility

Design that works for everyone, regardless of ability or technology.

Visual

  • • WCAG AA contrast compliance
  • • Scalable text and interfaces
  • • Color is never the only indicator
  • • Clear focus states

Motor

  • • Minimum 44px touch targets
  • • Keyboard navigation support
  • • Generous click areas
  • • No time-sensitive actions

Cognitive

  • • Consistent patterns
  • • Clear error messages
  • • Logical navigation flows
  • • Ample white space

Cultural Sensitivity

Respectful representation of Islamic values and multicultural community.

Islamic Elements:

  • • Authentic Arabic typography for Quranic text
  • • Appropriate use of Islamic terminology
  • • Respectful imagery and iconography
  • • Prayer time considerations in scheduling

Inclusive Design:

  • • Multilingual content support
  • • Diverse representation in imagery
  • • Gender-sensitive language and design
  • • Accommodation for different technical literacy levels

Tone of Voice

How we communicate through words to build trust and understanding.

We Are:

Welcoming & Warm

Using inclusive language that makes everyone feel at home, regardless of their background or level of Islamic knowledge.

Clear & Direct

Avoiding jargon and explaining concepts in accessible terms. Information is presented logically and concisely.

Respectful & Dignified

Maintaining the reverence appropriate for religious content while remaining approachable and human.

We Avoid:

Exclusionary Language

No assumptions about prior knowledge or background. We explain terms and provide context.

Overly Casual Tone

While friendly, we maintain respect for the sacred nature of our content and community.

Complexity for Its Own Sake

Simple, clear communication is always preferred over unnecessarily complex language.

Writing Examples

✓ Good

Seminar Description:

"Join us for an enlightening discussion about the concept of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah). This session is perfect for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding, whether you're new to Islam or seeking to strengthen your knowledge."

Error Message:

"We couldn't process your registration right now. Please check your internet connection and try again. If you continue to have trouble, feel free to contact us at tech@mtws.org."

✗ Avoid

Too Exclusive:

"Advanced seminar on Tawheed for serious students of Islamic theology. Basic knowledge of Arabic and Islamic jurisprudence assumed."

Unhelpful Error:

"Error 500: Internal server error occurred during form submission process."

Implementation Guidelines

Practical guidance for applying these principles in real projects.

Before You Design or Code

Questions to Ask:

  • Does this serve our community's needs?
  • Is this accessible to users with different abilities?
  • Can someone new to our community understand this?
  • Does this respect our Islamic values and diversity?
  • Is this the simplest way to achieve the goal?

Success Metrics:

  • Users can complete tasks without assistance
  • Content is accessible across devices and assistive technologies
  • Community feedback indicates feeling welcomed and understood
  • New visitors can navigate and find relevant information easily
  • Load times and performance meet accessibility standards

Building Together

These principles guide us, but they evolve with our community. Your feedback and contributions help us create digital experiences that truly serve our mission.