Friday 23 January 2015

20th Largest Mosque in the World (by capacity)

1. Masjid al-Haram, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Built: Between 634 and 644

Function: Active


Capacity of the worshiper: 4.000.000


Area: 400,800 m² 


Architecture style: Otthoman Empire




2. Imam Reza Shrine, Mashhad, Iran

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3. Imam Husayn Shrine and Al Abbas Mosque, Karbala, Iraq

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4. Al-Masjid al-Nabawi, Medina, Saudi Arabia

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5. Jamkaran Mosque, Qom, Iran

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6. Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

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7. Imam Ali Mosque, Najaf, Iraq

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8. Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

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9. Bara Imambara, Lucknow, India

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10. Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan

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Tuesday 22 October 2013

Putrajaya Mosque




     The city of Putrajaya is located south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It serves as a center of government that compliments the capital city. Within this modern city lays a gem of Islamic architecture called the Putra Mosque. The mosque was named in honor of the former and first Prime Minister of Malaysia Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al–Haj. Construction of the mosque began in June 1997 and was completed two years later in September 1999.  Resting on the Putrajaya Lake, the mosque is located next to the Perdana Putra which houses the Malaysian Prime Minister’s office.



     While the mosque’s design is derived from several Islamic styles, its main influence is the Persian Islamic architecture of the Safavid period. The 116-metre minaret is influenced by the design of the Sheikh Omar mosque in Baghdad, while the basement wall of the mosque resembles that of the King Hassan mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. The mosque gets its pink hue from the “rosa-j” Malaysian granite that offsets the cengal woodwork on the doors, windows and panels The prayer hall is elegant and simple and supported by 12 columns that prop a 36 meter diameter dome. The mimbar (pulpit) and mehrab (niche that denotes the direction of Mecca) are adorned with Islamic calligraphy. With the help of computers, intricate mosaics for the mosque were designed and produced locally. Even the sound system is state of the art, always giving the effect that the Imam’s voice is coming from right in front of you. The mosque itself can accommodate 10,000 worshippers and the courtyard outside an additional 5,000 people.



Analysis















































































Personal Experience

AUDREY WONG
As a non-Muslim, it is an honor to be able to visit and enter a mosque because in my perception, it is the most sacred place ever. When I first entered the mosque, it welcomed us with a grand and huge entrance. The height and proportion of Putra Mosque indeed amazed me, giving me a sense that human couldn’t outreach to
God/Allah easily as He is the most holy God. It was even more beautiful when seeing it up close especially the dome. Its pink color indeed adds a solemn yet serene feeling in me. Seeing light and shadow casted by all the detailing eventually gave me a sense of astonishment as the building seems to be able to speak for itself and tell us how God is trying to reach out to us.

ATHIRAH YEN
As a Muslim and an architecture students, the mosque gave me an insight on mankind's ability to details
and prominence which was captivated in one building. It shows how important the input of knowledge is to acquire creation at great heights.
Also known as the 'Pink Mosque', it is located next to the lake where the feeling of serendipity is instantly felt as I walk through the Mamluk arched gate of wind blowing with a cool feeling coming from the river. It gave me a glimpse of paradise far from the maddening crowd. It gave me the feeling of that there is no relationship greater than the relationship with God, (Allah) and I.

CHONG YEN NEE
In the mosque, I feel the existence of God when  standing in the large prayer hall. By achieving the greater high of the dome, I can feel closer to the God. It gives me a calm sense which I can throw out the complicated mind and hear to the God.

MABEL LOUI
As a non-muslim Malaysian, I do feel that there is a sense of ‘peace’ and calm when I walk through the main Iwan and courtyard. The organization of functional spaces work as a purification filter of the human body and mind.

The first level of purification is the main Iwan where I feel that I’m elevated from the chaotic of urban life. Moreover, the massive courtyard is the second level of purification where one is getting ready for prayer. Lastly is the main prayer hall with central dome, where one truly feel closer to Allah.  


SYIFA FAUZIA HASNIL
In my opinion (as a muslim) putra mosque has its interesting characteristic, for example the pink colour of the mosque that attracts the visitor. Basically the mosque is like any other mosque that has islamic architecture principles. For the interior the mosque is really rich in the detailing, putra mosque adapts 3 basic concepts that the architect applied on its design.
For some foreigner that doesn't really believe in religion, they like the arhitecture, and also how they should dress properly when the visitor enter the mosque by wearing the robe.


Interview

Interviewer: Syifa, Athirah and Yen Nee
Interviewee: Paul (US)

Q: What is your name?
A: Paul.

Q: Where are you from?
A: US

Q: What is your first impression?
A: It’s special and great.

Q: Why you think it is special?
A: Because of its size and seem like people very religious. The mosque is giving sense of peaceful.

Q: What do you feel when you enter the mosque?
A: A nice place, I have never been such a kind of beautiful mosque.

Q: Are you Islamic believer?
A: No. I’m Buddhist. Anyway, I take impression and take some paper, the synopsis, read it and get some understand about that, who is the Allah? The Islam God.




Interviewer: Yen Nee
Interviewees: Ma Yuan and Shi Xin (Xi An- China)

Q: Where are you come from?
A: Xi An.

Q: Are you the first time visit this mosque?
A: Yes. We’re Muslim and first times visit to Malaysia.

Q: What is your impression to this mosque?
A: It’s nice and magnificent.

Q: How is it architecture?
A: It’s great.

Q: Are you coming to praying?
A: They don’t let visitors go in and only the local Muslims is allowed praying in the prayer hall.

Q: Have you been visit many mosques?

A: No, but some of the mosques in my country. 


Interviewer (A): Syifa and Mabel Loui
Interviewee (B): Yuhanis (local Muslim)

Q : What is your first impression for this mosque?
A : Bahasa Melayu boleh tak?

Q : Boleh.
A : Melambangkan satu symbol keagamaan dan symbol pepaduaan. Dalam masjid, boleh menjadi tempat untuk bergumplu, melaksanakan keagamaan and semua orang islam boleh berkumplu di sini.

Q : Pertama kali impression?
A : Sangat bangga. Sangat cantik. Satu lambang.

Q : Ada spiritual senses apabila kamu masuk sini?
A : Of course ada sebab masuk tempat yang suci, kita akan rasa tenang dan damai.

Q : Sering tak masuk masjid ini?
A : Saya jarang-jarang masuk sini sebab saya tinggal jauh.

Q : Oh, dekat mana?
A : Gombak.

Q : Oh ya, jauhnya.
A : Saya datang hari ini sebab anak ada interview di Putrajaya.  



Interviewer (A): Mabel Loui and Syifa
Interviewee (B):  Alexandra (tourist from Portugal)

Q : Why do come here?
A : To Putrajaya?

Q : Yes, to this mosque?
A : Because my friend Maria has the kindness to bring me here. She is a blessed girl. And this is my first time in a mosque.

Q : What do you feel when you step into the mosque?
A : Well, it’s completely different. I’m from Portugal; we have churches and catholic churches. So this is completely different in terms of architecture and the spaces. We have benches, here there are no benches. And as Maria is explaining to me, there are no living figures, only the… calligraphy. That is very nice. And it’s been very “cool” inside the mosque in my first Islamic country.

Q : What do you feel when you first step into the mosque?
A : Well about feeling. It’s, urgh, amaze. Because I’m not such a religious person, I just rather to see the architecture to inner feeling for myself.

Q : Ok, thank you. 

References:
http://creativemuslims.com/2010/25-breathtaking-photos-of-putra-mosque-putrajaya-malaysia/

 http://travel.mylaunchpad.com.my/index.cfm?var_dir=destination.details&ID=A015AF93-188B-76AA-00A190908E0F95AF
http://www.asianpictures.org/putrajaya_mosque.html
http://colour-of-putrajaya.blogspot.com/2009/12/putra-mosque.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wazari/6321943447/
http://thechroniclesofmariane.blogspot.com/2013/07/pink-mosque-putrajaya-and-blue-mosque.html

http://architectureinmalaysia.wikispaces.com/Putrajaya Mosque

Image references:
http://creativemuslims.com/2010/25-breathtaking-photos-of-putra-mosque-putrajaya-malaysia/

Islamic architecture in Spain

Timeline

Conquest 700-756

700 - Tangier was taken over by the Berber general, Tariq ibn Ziyad





711 - He led the Muslim army into Al-Andalus. Tariq won agains the visigothic king. Roderic was killed and defeated at the battlefield




714 - First Muslim campaigned at the south east part of the Iberian peninsula and in the lower Ebro valley



717 - Cordoba becomes the capital of Muslim


732 - A Muslim army was defeated at tours, France


740 - The Arab Umayyad caliphate was not supported with tax revenues by the Berbers who rebel agains them



755 - Abd Ar-Rahman I of Umayyad dynasty escaped Abbasids by fleeing to Iberia


Umayyad period 756 - 929


756 - Abd Ar-Rahman I proclaim himself Emir of Cordoba establishing the umayyad emirate of Cordoba




785 - Construction of great mosque Cordoba begins on the grounds of visigothic church and was completed in 976





801 - Almonaster the royal mosque was built at the spanish provice of Huelva, Andalusia





822 - Ziryab comes to Al-Andalus and revolutionizes its culture. He becomes Emir of Cordoba





920 - The city of San Esteban de Gormaz was taken over by the Muslim forces under Abd Al- Rahman's command



Umayyad caliphate 929 - 1027




929 - Abd Al-Rahman III proclaimed himself caliph of Cordoba, when faced with the Fatimids' thread of invasion. It broke all ties with the Baghdad's Abbasid caliphate. Abd Al-Rahman III took over Toledo.





999 - Mosque of Cristo de la Luz was built by Abd Al-Rahman III to serves as a neighborhood mosque, was known as Bab Al-Mardum


1000 - Cordoba became the largest city in Europe with over 500,000 people


First Taifa period 1031 - 1126

1031 - The caliphate of Cordoba falls, Al-Andalus to unite the Taifa under the murabitun movement





1050 - Mezquite de las Tornerias seated in Roman foundations was built in the city of Toledo




1086 - Yusuf ibn Tashifin leads the Murabitun into Al-Andalus and defeat Alfonso VI, slowing the reqonquista. 




1126 - The greatest Muslim jurist and philosopher, ibn Rushd is born in Cordoba.



Decline and submission to christian and muwahidun 1148 - 1227


1130 - The Muwahidun replace the murabitun as the rulers of al-Andalus





1146 - The Muwahidun are defeated at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa





1213 - Abu Ya'qub Yusuf II becomes Almohad caliph





1227 - Denia falls to the reconquista and will remain in Christian hands thereafter



Second Taifa period 1236 - 1248 


1236 - Cordoba falls to Castile. The great Mosque is converted to a church





1248 - Sevile falls to Castile. Alcazar of Seville began its construction until 1600



Empire of Granada 1252 - 1300


1252 - The empire of Granada is the only Muslim kingdom left in Al-Andalus





1300 - The Alhambra palace is built




Castile-Aragon conquers the kingdom of Granada 1482 - 1491





1481 - Siege of Loja king Ferdinand II of Aragon attacks Garadine city of Loja on first July. The city is defended by one Ibrahim Ali al-Attar. He then returns to Cordoba.



1491 - The Muslim in Granada surrender to the Christians



Aftermath 1491 - 1616




1492 - Granada, the last Muslim kingdom of al-Andalus, falls to the kingdom or Aragon of Castile



1502 - Islam is made illegal in Spain. All muslim are forced to hide their faith. They pretend to be Christian known as the 'Moriscos'





1609 - 1616 - All 'Moriscos' are forced to leave. No Muslim remain in Spain




Alhambra's timeline


7th century - military regiment from the Umayyad dynasty landed in Gibraltar




9th century - Red fort



11th century - Alcazaba





13th century - Suburban gate




14th century - Wine gate


Comares palaces


Gate of justice


Gate of the seven stories


Court of the lions


Tower of captives




15th century - Partal





16th century - Palace of Charles V



Churches of Saint Maria de la Alhambra



Introduction

     The Alhambra was so called because of its reddish walls (in Arabic, («qa'lat al-Hamra'» means Red Castle). It is located on top of the hill al-Sabika, on the left bank of the river Darro, to the west of the city of Granada and in front of the neighbourhoods of the Albaicin and of the Alcazaba.

  The Alhambra is located on a strategic point, with a view over the whole city and the meadow (la Vega), and this fact leads to believe that other buildings were already on that site before the Muslims arrived. The complex is surrounded by ramparts and has an irregular shape. It limits with the valley of the river Darro on its northern side, with the valley of al-Sabika on its southern side and with the street Cuesta del Rey Chico on the eastern side. The Cuesta del Rey Chico is also the border between the neighbourhood of the Albaicin and the gardens of the Generalife, located on top of the Hill of the Sun (Cerro del Sol).

  The Alhambra was a palace, a citadel, fortress, and the home of the Nasrid sultans, high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers (from the 13th to the 14th century).
Today, the monument is divided into four main areas: the Palaces, the military zone or Alcazaba, the city or Medina and the agricultural estate of the Generalife. All of these areas are surrounded by woods, gardens and orchards.

  Carlos V Palace Other notable buildings belonging to a different time period are also included, such as the Renaissance style Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra Museum (most of the items are from the site of the monument) and the Fine Art Museum.




7 principals of Islamic Architecture


1. Tawhid - unity and Uniquity of Allah


Expansion of Alhambra



Alhambra is the place that is built through out different era, from Islam dynasty until Christian. The last one they expanded Alhambra, is for a Church for Charles V. Rather than that, they expand the the archive place and a parking to ease the tourist to visit Alhambra.


Urban planning



The way Alhambra is built is really obvious that that is build for palace, by building it on the hill that has a great view of its surrounding.



2. Ihtiram - respect, propriety or adab

Respectful to God




Respecting God by designing a pilar or even the wall that is built His verses from the Quran, because in Islam we can’t describe Him as something that exist but seeing from His creation.

Geometry


The entire building is based on rectangles generated by square roots. These complex geometric ideas used in the architecture are derived from the ideas of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras and the Pythagorean Theorem


3. Ikhlas - sincerity

Court and garden



A lot of garden that is found in Alhambra for example, the comarres palaces, the court of the lions also partal. Because the water describes the purest symbol of life to the Moors. The Alhambra is decorated with water: standing still, cascading, masking secret conversations, and drip-dropping playfully.


4. Ilm - knowledge


Design and technology

Qanats, gently sloping underground tunnels, were constructed to deliver water from underground aquifers over long distances. Water was also diverted from rivers and collected in cisterns before being distributed by acequias, gravity-fed irrigation channels that delivered water to a terraced landscape, before returning the flow to the river. This ideas provides a way to begin to “re-learn” and reuse the technology theory.


Inscription & light expression


Illuminating effects of sun rays & moon light to reveal intricacy


5. Iqtisad - balance

Symmetry



Functional and spiritual elements- harmony through point of intersection most beneficial to achieve the stability of the soul. A lot of symmetrical element that is found in Alhambra, to show that the building need to be balance.


6. Haya - modesty

Sanctuary, privacy and respect


Open court that not only serves an environmental purpose but- addresses the different roles and responsibilities of the sexes.


7. Dzikr - remembrance

Repetition


In Islamic architecture remembrance or as well as the repetition should be the characteristic, it derives fromt the word Dzikr.  For instances, the wall that repeats the verses of Allah on the carved wall. Other than that it also can be found the repetition of the dome from the interior. 



Group's board







References: 

http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/info/historicalintroduction.asp
http://www.granadatur.com/en/city-guide/monuments/alhambra/historic-information/
http://www.ithaca.edu/osman/crs/sp10/265/cal/projects/g3/tpaper.pdf
http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/moorish-to-modern-ancient-lessons-for-contemporary-gardens/
http://www.ricksteves.com/tms/article.cfm?id=272&extras=false


Image references:
http://alizul2.blogspot.com/2011/08/28-ramadan-battle-of-guadalete-tariq.html

http://www.theclacks.org.uk/Holidays/Cordoba/
http://alandalusalandalus.tumblr.com/post/10175721015/abd-ar-rahman-al-dakhil-the-immigrant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abd_ar-Rahman_I.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mezquita_de_C%C3%B3rdoba_-_Techo.jpg
http://www.minube.net/place/almonaster-la-real-mosque-a249621
http://enrico-macias.musicblog.fr/1419585/ziryab/
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:San_Esteban_de_Gormaz_-_6255216.jpg
http://burgospedia1.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/abd-al-rahman-iii-abderraman-campanas-por-la-provincia-de-burgos-en-el-934/
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187489-d313506-Reviews-Mosque_of_Christ_of_the_Light-Toledo_Province_of_Toledo_Castile_La_Mancha.html
http://www.unaventanadesdemadrid.com/toledo-i.html
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.cat&categoryid=200810234749
http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?tag=ibn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_Las_Navas_de_Tolosa.jpg
http://www.levity.com/alchemy/islam21.html
http://www.ifitsmagic.com/Denia.htm
http://danrathbone.com/images/BigTrip3/SpainToPortugal/SpainToPortugal%20(56).jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vista_de_la_Alhambra.jpg
https://nobility.org/2011/08/11/unwisely-king-ferdinand-lays-siege-to-loja%E2%80%94death-of-the-youthful-don-roderigo-tellez-giron-grand-master-of-calatrava/
http://perso.wanadoo.es/ibg3/castilla.html
http://historiadecalp.net/expulsion.htm
http://www.britisharmedforces.org/scli_%20pages/pages/keith_scudamore.htm
http://www.123rf.com/photo_20158621_the-red-fort-of-the-alhambra-palace-in-granada-spain.html
http://blogs.artinfo.com/secrethistoryofart/2011/03/25/inside-the-masterpiece-the-alhambra-part-i/
http://islamic-arts.org/2013/the-alhambra/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cjkonya/7517602860/
http://www.theaussienomad.com/travel-thoughts/the-alhambra-granada/
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/29133657
http://www.greathall.com/photoalbum/spain-alhambra.html
http://dailyinspires.com/alhambra-wallpapers/
http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/typo3temp/pics/8ad2ca1439.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Partal_Palace,_Alhambra,_Spain.JPG
http://www.fmschmitt.com/travels/spain/granada_province/granada/PalaceCharlesV.htm
http://granadainfo.com/alhambra/simple_trip_alhambra.html
http://world-visits.blogspot.com/2012/11/alhambra-is-historycal-palace-in-spain.html
http://josiesjoy.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/granada-and-the-alhambra/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/3200980183/
http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/spain-very-moorish/1159480/
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/magnificent-ceiling-dome-with-exquisite-detail-granada-spain-john-a-shiron.html