Mosques are at the heart of Islamic life. Muslims spend much time inside mosques during #Ramadan as they congregate for communal prayers. Many mosques are renowned for the beauty & artistry of their interiors.
For #Ramadan we look inside 24 mosques across the world…
A thread…
1/ Putra Mosque, Malaysia
The principal mosque of Putrajaya, Malaysia. Construction of the mosque began in 1997 & was completed two years later. It is located next to Perdana Putra, which houses the Malaysian Prime Minister's office & man-made Putrajaya Lake #Ramadan
2/ Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, Saudi Arabia
Masjid al-Haram was built around the Kaaba. It is also the largest mosque in the world. It was first built under the leadership of the Caliph Omar Ibn al-Khattab (634-644) & has been modified continuously under several Muslim rulers #Ramadan
3/ The Great Mosque of Herat, Afghanistan
Built by the Ghurids, under the rule of Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad Ghori, who laid its foundation in 1200 CE. It was extended several times as Herat changed rulers from the Kartids, Timurids, Mughals & then the Uzbeks #Ramadan
4/ Badshahi Masjid, Lahore, Pakistan
Built during Emperor Aurangzeb's rule from 1658 to 1707. It is the fifth largest mosque in the world & was indisputably the largest mosque in the world from 1673 to 1986 when the Faisal Mosque was constructed in Islamabad #Ramadan
5/ The Sayyidah Ruqayyah Masjid, Damascus, Syria
The mosque contains the grave of Sukaynah (née Ruqayyah), the young daughter of Al-Husayn ibn ‘Alī. It was built around the mausoleum in 1985 and exhibits the modern style of Iranian architecture, with mirror & gold work #Ramadan
6/ The Sultanahmet Mosque, Turkey
The Sultanahmet Mosque was built between 1609 and 1617. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles used to decorate the walls of its interior. The construction was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I #Ramadan
7/ Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi
One of the world’s largest mosques. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Founder of the UAE, had the mosque built in the capital city Abu Dhabi to create a cultural haven that welcomes & inspires people from all backgrounds #Ramadan
8/ The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Iran.
Constructed between 1876 & 1888, during the Qajar dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1785 to 1925. It has been dubbed the “Pink Mosque” due to the plethora of pink-colored tiles blanketing the ceiling #Ramadan
9/ Jama Masjid, Delhi, India
Constructed in 1650–56 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān. Jama Masjid is Delhi’s principal mosque, the place where the city’s Muslims traditionally gather for Friday communal prayer; Jama Masjid is Arabic for “Friday mosque.” #Ramadan
10/ Wazir Khan Mosque, Pakistan
The construction began in 1634 C.E. & completed in 1641. Considered to be the most ornately decorated Mughal-era mosque it is renowned for its intricate faience tile work known as kashi-kari, as well as embellished frescoes #Ramadan
11/ Al-Zaytuna Mosque, Tunis, Tunisia
Spread over 5,000 square meters, the mosque’s origins can be traced back to the 7th Century CE. The oldest mosque in the city, it was a prominent university for Islamic studies with an illustrious alumni of scholars & poets #Ramadan
12/ Saint Petersburg Mosque, Russia
The amazing interior is by Russian ceramics artist Peter Vaulin (1870-1943). The mosque, located in Downtown St. Petersburg, was built between 1910 and 1921. It was renovated in the 1980's and can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers #Ramadan
13/ Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
It is the country's tallest structure, with an imposing 90-metre minaret. The mosque has four further minarets, & together the 5 towers symbolise the 5 pillars of Islam: profession of faith, prayers, giving of alms, fasting and pilgrimage #Ramadan
14/ Gazi Husrev Bey’s Mosque, Sarajevo, Bosnia
The truly breathtaking interior of Built in 1531, in the early period of Ottoman classical architecture, the Mosque is a wonderful representative of the style. It is also the biggest of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina #Ramadan
15/ The Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
The second largest mosque in Africa. Its minaret is the world's second tallest minaret at 210 metres (689 ft). Completed in 1993, it was designed by Michel Pinseau under the guidance of King Hassan II & built by Moroccan artisans #Ramadan
16/ Bhong Mosque, Rahim Yar Khan District, Pakistan
It was made over a period of nearly 50 years (1932–1982) and won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1986. Master Abdul Hameed (kamboh) led the construction of the mosque, makeing sure it was a landmark for Pakistan #Ramadan
17/ Xiaopiyuan Mosque in Xi'an, Shaanxi
The mosque was first built in the late Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is one of the first mosques in Xi'an. The mosque is a construction that combines Chinese palace-style & Islamic style, image credit @xujnx#Ramadan
18/ The Jalil Khayat Mosque, Iraq
The mosque was begun by Jalil Khayat who died in 2005; and was completed in 2007 by his sons in memory of their father. The mosque's style resembles the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in Cairo and the Blue mosque in Istanbul.#Ramadan
19/ Tilla Kari, Uzbekistan
Built in 1646, "Madrasah of gold" is the literal translation of "Tilla-Kari." It was given this name because the facades of the madrasah and the mosques are covered with gilding made in the unusual technique called "kundal" #Ramadan
20/ The Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali
The world's largest mud-brick building & finest example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture, a regional style characterised by its adobe plastering & wooden scaffolding. The walls are reconstructed with mud each April in a 1 day event #Ramadan
21/ Sultan Qaboos Grand Masjid, Muscat, Oman
The country's tallest structure, with a 90-metre minaret. The mosque has 4 further minarets, & together the five towers symbolise the five pillars of Islam: profession of faith, prayers, giving of alms, fasting & pilgrimage #Ramadan
22/ The Sultan Suleiman Mosque, Mariupol, Ukraine
Named in honour of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Roxelana, who was born in Ukraine. It opened October 15, 2007. The architecture of the mosque was styled after the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul #Ramadan
23/ Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, Palestine
Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, it is the 3rd holiest site in Islam. It was built on top of the Temple Mount, known as the Al Aqsa Compound or Haram esh-Sharif in Islam, several decades after Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) death #Ramadan
24/ Emir Abdelkader Mosque, Constantine, Algeria, North Africa
Commissioned in 1994. The largest mosque in Algeria, and also one of the largest mosques in North Africa. The mosque also includes a large university, Emir Abdelkader University for Islamic Sciences #Ramadan
Arabic calligraphy is the most highly regarded element of Islamic art, as it is the language of Qur’an. The script has the potential for creating ornamental forms
Today, the art of Arabic calligraphy continues
For #Ramadan a thread on 15 artists redefining Arabic calligraphy…
1/ Based in London @ArtofthePen is an internationally renowned classically trained calligrapher. Her work pushes the boundaries of what is expected from this traditional art form. In 2005, Soraya was awarded the sought-after icazetname from Istanbul…
2/ Artist @WissamSh is an expert in Arabic calligraphy. He is largely self-taught, attaining mastery through book research, visits to various masters, museum & library collections. He has developed a signature style, which is referred to as Calligraform…
2/ Double Folio from a Qur'an
c. 1330-1350, Central Asian or Turkish
Early Muslim settlers from central and western Asia carried Islamic book traditions into India, especially in the form of Qur'ans, such as the one from which these pages come
Art is a mechanism of contemplation & a tool to explore ideas
From the connection of geometry & nature, the divine beauty of the Qu'ran, visual storytelling, vibing Arabic calligraphy & Muslim pop art there is much to think about in our new Art for Thought series...
A thread...
Artist @RFJamesUK creates elaborate ephemeral artworks using the natural materials he finds in forests, parks, and beaches near his home in Yorkshire, England.
James talks about geometry, nature & the future of Islamic art:
Artist @zahragulraizart uses Arabic Calligraphy in her own bold and distinctive style to spread positive energy into people’s surroundings. Along with her striking use of colours, she focuses around quotes that uplift and inspire:
The conservation of Islamic cultural heritage contributes to inspiring artistic progression for the future
From Uzbekistan to Jordan, the UK & beyond, our new Heritage series explores exquisite mosques & holy sites, multi-sensory experiences, cultural tourism & more
A thread...
1/ A thousand years ago, Bukhārā-ye Sharīf was one of the intellectual & religious centres of the Islamic world. This Islamic heritage continues to draw visitors to Uzbekistan today
@UZAmbassador explores Bukhārā-ye Sharīf & the Holy Sites of Uzbekistan:
From the very earliest stages in the Islamic literary tradition, poetry has reflected the deepest sense of Muslim self-identity, communal history, & aspirations for the future
To mark #WorldPoetryDay we are celebrating 14 Muslim poets who continue this tradition
A thread…
1/ UK based Bahraini writer & poet @ali_mn_aljamri is passionate about Bahraini history, human rights & decolonising education.
Writing in Arabic & English, he was recently appointment as one of 3 Manchester Multilingual City Poets #WorldPoetryDay
2/ Poet Shagufta K Iqbal’s work is personal, intimate & sometimes both bruising – & tender. She uses poetry to reach out & engage with people whose experiences are not reflected within mainstream arts #WorldPoetryDay