Mosque Project
Since pre-Islamic times Mecca has always been known as a sacred site, however due to mass construction and modernization, the sacredness of this holy city may be slowly dying. Mecca contains the Holy Mosque and the Kaaba. The Kaaba is a tall, box-like structure which stands in a courtyard in the center of the Holy Mosque, and it became established as the main object of pilgrimages to Mecca (Dictionary of Islamic Architecture). Mecca is the birth place of the prophet Muhammad and contains a lot of important historical sites such as the site where Muhammad was born, the house of the prophet’s wife Khadijah and the house of Abu Bakr, as well as Muhammad’s grandson’s house which was flattened by the King’s palace. All of these historical sites were demolished and replaces with hotels or even public bathrooms (The Guardian).
The main building that towers over the Holy Mosque is Abraj al-Bait, which houses an array of apartments and luxury hotels. This building is the second tallest building in the world. Sami Angawi, architect and founder of the Hajj Research Center, says that “They are turning the holy sanctuary into a machine, a city which has no identity, no heritage, no culture and not natural environment (The Guardian).” Many sites that are important to not only Islam but also the history of the prophet have been demolished and replaced with new buildings. Eventual the Holy Mosque will be surrounded by high rise buildings and hotels. Residents were evicted with only a weeks notice and many of which still haven’t received compensation from the government. Irfan al-Alawi, executive director of the UK-based Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, stated that “locals who have lived here for generations, are being force...
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...onstruction around the mosque takes away from the seriousness, holiness, and sacredness of the mosque which I think will effect later generations by making the pilgrimage not seem as serious and spiritual, and eventual could even damage the meaning of the Hajj.
Ashley Fleetwood
Word Count: 1,236
Bibliography
Ankara. “Kaaba like imprisoned with construction: turkey’s top religion official”. Hurriyet Daily News. 18 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. http://archnet.org/library/dictionary/entry.jsp?entry_id=DIA0463&mode=full
Butt, Riazat. “Mecca’s mega architecture casts shadow of hajj”. The Guardian. 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/oct/23/mecca-architecture-hajj1
ArchNet Digital Library. “Mecca”. Dictionary of Islamic Architecture. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. http://archnet.org/library/dictionary/entry.jsp?entry_id=DIA0463&mode=full
The Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah is one of the five pillars of Islam "arkan-al-Islam”- Its purpose is essentially to facilitate the act of submission to Allah which is pinnacle to all followers of Islam. "Perform the pilgrimage and the visit [to Mecca] for Allah" Surah 2:196. It has enormous significance, not only for the pilgrim undertaking the Hajj but also for the wider Muslim community, the Umma, as it allows for all individuals to gain unification of faith. Such purpose can be examined through considering various rituals; the stand before Allah "wuquf", the stoning of the pillars at Mina, the commemoration of the festival of sacrifice "Id-ul-Adha", the circling of the Ka'bah and drawing water from the well of Zamzam. Such rituals give example to a profound meaning of the Islamic faith and upon completion, the individual is fulfilling to the ultimate goal of Islam, a more perfect submission to Allah.
Another great leader of the Moguhal Empire was Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan. He inherited a rich empire full of opportunity(1996). With Jahn's love for his empire and land he decided to order the construction of the Taj Mahal which would also serve as a tomb for his dead wife Mumtaz Mahal. With advances in architecture, the Taj Mahal was not impossible to build, however it was considered a modern marvel at the time and a national landmark today(1996). During the Moguhal Empire there have bee...
Ettinghausen, Richard, Oleg Grabar, and Sheila Blair. The art and architecture of Islam 650-1250. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin Books, 1987.
Among the most beloved traditions and rituals of the Islamic faith is a pilgrimage that unites Muslims around the world. It is known as the Hajj, an Arabic word meaning “to set out for a place” (“Short History of Hajj”). It is one of the five pillars that define the Islamic faith. The Hajj itself is a five day trip into Mecca, the Islamic holy city, as well as surrounding areas. It is a trip that thousands of Muslims undergo each year. It is a staple of Islamic faith, as well as a spiritual and emotional journey that brings Muslims closer to God.
Essentially unchanged for more than thirteen centuries, the Dome of the Rock remains one of the world’s most beautiful and enduring architectural treasures. Adorned with its magnificent gold dome and elaborate quranic inscriptions, the structure intimately represents the world’s second largest religion in a city historically associated with the three Semitic faiths. Representation, however, is not the only effect of this site. Despite its intended purpose, the Dome of the Rock inherently stands as the focal center of a millennium-old religious controversy. Located on what is essentially the world’s holiest site (obviously a speculative assertion) and inscribed with proclamations of Islamic religious superiority, the Dome symbolizes far more than Muhammad’s ascension to heaven.
The Suleymaniye mosque was truly a masterpiece during the time it was built in the mid 1500s. Today, it still never fails to captivate its audience through the complexity of its design and the intellectual analysis of its significance. The mosque was actually said to be as magnificent as the Seven Wonders of the World according to two European travelers, Freynes Moryson and John Sanderson, soon after its completion (Nelipogulu 221). The mosque is definitely symbolic in the city of Istanbul, sitting a top the highest hill, in that it represents central power and strength of the Turkish Empire (see Image 1) (Yayinlari 30). As we take a closer look at the Suleymaniye we see many aspects of religion through its sensual and visual experience. We also find a great deal of complexity, from the contradictory aspects Sinan applied to the mosque, throughout a more in depth intellectual analysis.
Mecca is also known as Makkah and its full name is Makkah al-Mukkaramah. Mecca is a city in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia. It is known as the holiest site in the Islamic religion. The history of Mecca goes back as early as the fifth century. It was an independent and powerful city in pre-Islamic times. It is the religious center for Islamic people and it houses the Kaaba and the Great Mosque. It is also the birthplace of Muhammad, the first capital of caliphate, and the center of present day mosques. In 630 Muhammad and some of his followers went into the city of Mecca and captured it. Mecca is said to have started one of the most important religions in the world and it brings together the Islamic religion.
Inc, E. T. (2003). A monument of Imeasurable beauty & love. Retrieved Feb 11, 2012, from Taj Mahal: http://www.tajmahal.travel/
Each of the buildings is individual yet connected by covered walkways known by all who enter here as bridges'. The Islamic Center community building holds cl...
Islamic art and architecture is a blend from three or more different cultural traditions from the east. The Arab, Turkish, and Persian traditions are three such traditions that were adopted into the Islamic art and architecture design. The best expressions of Islamic art and architecture are found in Muslim mosques. The mosque serves as a place where Muslims can come together for prayer of Islam. Mosques are also a center for information, education, and dispute settlement. One of the most famous mosques of the Islamic art is the Great Mosque of Samarra in preset day Iraq. The Great Mosque of Samarra also has a spiral staircase on the outside of it.
In the following essay, I will be comparing and contrasting to architectural pieces by the Indians. The first is the Taj Mahal, a building constructed from white marble that took seventeen years to build in honor of Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Z. Haq). This piece of architectural beauty belonged to the Mughal’s, the Muslim emperors in India (Z. Haq). The second is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, a holy, dome shaped structure that covers the body of the Buddha in honor of him and his contributions to Buddhism (Fischer, Julia). Furthermore, this structure was made of ruins, rocks, mud, and covered in bricks (Fischer, Julia). Both pieces of architecture are significant to the Indians, however they do contrast in some ways.
I think a gigantic funerary mosque of white marble, built in Agra by order of the Mogul emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the Taj Mahal is the most perfect jewel of Moslem art in India and is one of the universally admired architectures of the world’s heritage. Not only see the beautiful Taj Mahal from the video, I also knew the history of itself and its country. A white marble tomb sums up many of the formal themes that have played through Islamic architecture. The video did talk a lot of how much Shah Jahan himself and his father loved art and made many gorgeous artworks. Taj Mahal’s refined style is a conspicuous contrast to the Hindu architecture of pre-Islamic India, with its thick walls, arches, and heavy supports. Even though Taj Mahal is the symbol of grief and sadness, it still has it beauty looks from marble and sand stone.
This essay will discuss the significance of the Taj Mahal on a global scale in context with the themes studied in lectures and tutorials. This essay will explore the architectural significance, along with the representation of religion, criticisms and will closely examine the themes of death and memory and the significance of the Taj Mahal on a global scale.
A 27-acre part of land is estimated to border Burj Khalifa formulated by the architects of the SWA group. Besides the core scheme Burj Khalifa is based on the symmetries and the triple-lobed design of desert
Taj Mahal. ( Mahal is the word in urdu language used for Palace) How can I describe The Taj Mahal? You can’t its impossible. You just have to experience it. To gaze in wonder at that magnificent dome and elegant gardens will be a moment that you remember for the rest of your life. It is one of the greatest sights in the world, some say the greatest, and like Victoria Falls, The Grand Canyon, and Macchu Picchu, it simply is one of those things you have to see in your life. The architectural grace and symmetry of the Taj Mahal just takes your breath away. We had chosen our visit carefully--the sun was setting and the light that washed over the Taj was golden in color. The minarets were now stark against the setting sun . The actual dome was a surprise, it is not yellow-white but blue-white and covered in inscriptions and detail. From below it looked like something out of "Arabian Nights." But inside were the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The central tomb is a lofty chamber with light streaming through fine latticework, and hanging above was an elaborate lamp. Words cannot describe its beauty when you stand on that marble platform overlooking the Yamuna, with the setting sun turning it into a golden ribbon. You may a...