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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Omar Ibn Al-Khatab mosque | Mosque in Brazil

The Omar Ibn Al-Khatab mosque

If you love architecture or are a Muslim this is a must-visit place when traveling to the Iguassu Falls.

Personally I’m not Muslim but cannot avoid feeling drifted to a mystical state when visiting the Omar Ibn Al-Khatab mosque.

Taking beautiful pictures of mosques is easy when the building, its surroundings and the blue sky make such a perfect match! But why use words when pictures can show you the ‘magic’ of this place?

You certainly cannot believe you’re not in the Middle East!The mosque and Arab school located in the same ground were built with contributions of Lebanese immigrants living in Foz do Iguaçu, it is an impressive proof of these peoples commitment to the city.

source: iguassu-misted-falls-vacation.com

Monday, April 13, 2009

National Mosque of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria | mosque in nigeria

National Mosque of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Cordoba Mosque : Mosque in Spain

he Mezquita dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba reached its zenith under a new emir, Abd ar-Rahman 111 who was one of the great rulers of Islamic history. At this time Córdoba was the largest, most prosperous cities of Europe, outshining Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture and the arts. The development of the Great Mosque paralleled these new heights of splendour.

Today the Mezquita as it is known can be visited throughout the year for 6 Euro entrance fee. The approach is via the Patio de los Naranjos, a classic Islamic ablutions courtyard which preserves both its orange trees and fountains. When the mosque was used for Moslem prayer, all nineteen naves were open to this courtyard allowing the rows of interior columns to appear like an extension of the tree with brilliant shafts of sunlight filtering through.

Arches & Pillars

The arches of the Mosque

A first glimpse is immensely exciting. Jan Morris described it as "so near the desert in its tentlike forest of supporting pillars." The architect introduced another, horseshoe-shaped arch above the lower pillars. A second and purely aesthetic innovation was to alternate brick and stone in the arches, creating the red and white striped pattern which gives a unity and distinctive character to the whole design. There are more than 850 coloured granite jasper and marble pillars in total. Sunlight streams in from windows in the four cupolas creating interesting effects combined with artificial light from the thousands of small oil lights.

The Mihrab

This traditionally had two functions in Islamic worship, first it indicated the direction of Mecca (therefore prayer) and it also amplified the words of the Imam, the prayer leader. At Cordóba it is particularly magnificent. The shell-shaped ceiling is carved from a single block of marble and the chambers on either side are decorated with exquisite Byzantine mosaics of gold. The worn flagstones indicate where pilgrims crouched on their knees. The Cordoba Mosque Mihrab looks south in the same way as the Damascus mosque and not south east in the direction of Mecca.

andalucia.com

Islamic buiding and architecture

Monday, February 9, 2009

Paris Mosque; Mosque in France

Paris Mosque



source: wikipedia

Monday, January 26, 2009

Shah Jehan Mosque: Mosque in Britain



Opened in 1889, the Shah Jehan Mosque was the first mosque to be built in Britain. It was built it to provide a place of worship for Muslims in the area. It has been built in a traditional style and has a dome on its roof. It is very close to New Monument School and most of the Muslim families whose children go to the school go to this mosque. source: butwhatsitlike