Mosques are adorned beautifully, with coloured mosaics & tiles. This is believed to reflect the divine beauty of the universe. For this reason, the artistry of mosaics are regarded as an expression of faith
For Ramadan, here are 24 mosaics in Mosques around the world
A thread…
1/ Mosaic from the Jāmeh Mosque of Isfahān, Iran
Also known as the Friday Mosque of Isfahān (مسجد جمعه). The mosque is the result of continual construction, reconstruction, additions & renovations on the site from around 771 to the end of the 20th century #Ramadan
2/ Mosaic from The Gūr-i Amīr, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Built in 1404, by Timur. It has an important place in the history of Central Asian Architecture, & influenced Mughal architecture, including Gardens of Babur in Kabul, Humayun's Tomb in Delhi & the Taj Mahal in Agra #Ramadan
3/ Mosaic from The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz, Iran
Built in 1888. It is located near Shāh Chérāgh Mosque. It was built during Qajar dynasty rule of Iran. The designers were Mohammad Hasan-e-Memār, Mohammad Hosseini Shirazi, and Mohammad Rezā Kāshi-Sāz-e-Širāzi #Ramadan
4/ Mosaic from St Petersburg Mosque, Russia
When opened in 1913, it was the largest mosque in Europe outside Turkey. The architect Nikolai Vasilyev patterned the mosque after Gur-e-Amir, the tomb of Tamerlane in Samarkand. The mosque can accommodate 5000 worshippers #Ramadan
5/ Mosaic from The Sultanahmet Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
Built between 1609 & 1617 it is known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles used to decorate its interior. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I as a monument that would rival the Hagia Sophia #Ramadan
6/ Mosaic from Khodja Akhror Madrasah, Uzbekistan
In 1630 the Samarkand ruler Nodir Divan Begi ordered to build near the grave of Khodja Akhror (who was the leader of the Sufi order Naqshbandiya) the mosque & madrassah #Ramadan
7/ Mosaic from The Imām ‘Alī Mosque, Najaf, Iraq
First built by the Iranian ruler the Daylamite Fannakhosraw Azod ad Dowleh in 977. After being destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt by the Seljuk Malik Shah I in 1086, & rebuilt again by the Safavid Shah Ismail I in 1500 #Ramadan
8/ Mosaic from The Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco
Completed in 1993, it was designed by Michel Pinseau under the guidance of King Hassan II and built by Moroccan artisans from all over the kingdom. It is the second largest mosque in Africa #Ramadan
9/ Mosaic from The Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan
Construction began in 1634 and was completed in 1641 This mosque was commissioned during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as part of an ensemble of buildings that included the nearby Shahi Hammam baths #Ramadan
10/ Mosaic from The Sayyidah Ruqayyah Mosque, Damascus, Syria
The mosque was built in 1985 around the mausoleum of Rukayyah bint Husayn, and exhibits a modern version of Iranian architecture, with substantial amount of mirror and gold work #Ramadan
11/ Mosaic from The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman
In 1992, Qaboos bin Said al Said, the then Sultan of Oman, directed that his country should have a Grand Mosque, construction commenced in December 1994. It took six years and seven months to complete #Ramadan
12/ Mosaic from The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Completed in 2007, the architect Yusef Abdelki took inspiration from Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria, Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, & other Persian, Mughal & Indo-Islamic architecture #Ramadan
13/ Mosaic from Shah Mosque on Imam Square, Isfahan, Iran
The mosque is also known as Imam Mosque and Jaame' Abbasi Mosque. It is one of the masterpieces of Iranian/Persian Architecture and an excellent example of Islamic era architecture of Iran #Ramadan
14/ Mosaic from The Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan
It was constructed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb between 1671 and 1673 and was the largest mosque in the world from 1673 to 1986. The exterior is decorated with carved red sandstone with marble inlay #Ramadan
15/ Mosaic from al-Darwishiyeh Mosque, Damascus, Syria
Constructed between 1572 & 1575 by the Ottoman governor of Damascus (دمشق), Darwish Pasha. His tomb is in a small octagonal domed building on the southern side of the complex, joined to the mosque by an arch #Ramadan
16/ Mosaic from Baba Tahi, north-western part of Hamadan, Iran
Seljuk period. The inner part of the mausoleum is decorated with 24 marble slabs inscribed by 24 of Baba Tahir’s poems in black calligraphy. The most striking part is the tile decoration under the ceiling #Ramadan
17/ Mosaic from Fatima Mausomeh, Qom, Iran
Built in 16th century. The mosque consists of a burial chamber, three courtyards and three large prayer halls, totalling an area of 38,000 m2 (410,000 sq ft). The three prayer halls are named: Tabātabā'ī, Bālā Sar, and A‘dham #Ramadan
18/ Mosaic from The Grand Mosque of Paris, France
In 1926, the Mosque was officially inaugurated. It was built to symbolize the friendship between France and Islam, but it also served to commemorate the thousands of Muslims who fought and died for France in World War I #Ramadan
19/ Mosaic from The Jāmeh Mosque of Yazd, Iran
The 14th-century mosque is still in use today. It was built under Ala'oddoleh Garshasb of Al-e Bouyeh dynasty. The mosque was largely rebuilt between 1324 & 1365 & is one of the outstanding 14th century buildings of Iran #Ramadan
20/ Mosaic from Mir-i-Arab Madrasa in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Constructed by the Shaibanid ruler Ubaydullah-khan (r. 1534-39). Its name, Mir-i Arab, literally means "Prince of the Arabs" and refers to Sheikh Abdullah Yamani of Yemen #Ramadan
21/ The Blue Mosque, or Aqsunqur Mosque, Cairo, Egypt
The largest mosque in the district. Built in 1347 by Amir Aqsunqur, it incorporates a mausoleum & courtyard for prayer. The interior is decorated with these beautiful blue Iznik tiles from Istanbul & Damascus #Ramadan
22/ Mosaic from Markazi Jamia Masjid, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
One of the oldest mosques in Rawalpindi and an architectural beauty. Built almost 100 years ago, the mosque still stands tall among historical sites of the city due to its mosaics and glass artwork #Ramadan
23/ Mosaic from Uzbekistan
The beautiful turquoise & azure tile mosaics adorning historic mosques, is a highlight of Uzbekistan. Such as the ceramic-tiled walls of Tash Khauli in Khiva; the azure tile designs on the Registan madrassas and Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand #Ramadan
24/ Mosaic from 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 #Ramadan
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Muslims believe Laylat al-Qadr, is the night God first revealed the Qurʾān to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), through the angel Gabriel. It takes place on one of the final 10 nights of Ramadan.
For #LaylatalQadr here are 23 Qur’anic manuscripts in museums & collections.
A thread…
1/ Folio from Qur’an, 1075-1100 Saljuq
Iran @NatAsianArt
Sura al-Ma'ida (the Table spread) 5:34 and part of 35, recto begins with "illalladhina"; verso: sura 5:parts of 35 and 36, verso begins with "waja[a]hidu; Arabic in black eastern kufic (New Style) #Ramadan#LaylatulQadr
2/ Folio from Qur’an, 9th - 10th century
North Africa @brooklynmuseum
The “Blue” Qur’an, named after the rich, indigo-dyed parchment used for its folios, is arguably one of the most extraordinary luxury manuscripts ever created #Ramadan#LaylatulQadr
Rugs are a significant part of Muslim culture. Used for prayer, ornamentation & decoration, they are often collected as family heirlooms, & passed down from generation to generation.
For Ramadan, here are 24 Islamic rugs in museums & collections across the world…
A thread…
1/ Prayer Rug
1570s-1590s, Safavid
Iran
Most of these preserved rugs were intended as diplomatic gifts from the Safavid court to the Ottomans. The poetic inscription on the border is in nasta`liq script, in Persian verse & includes the name of Sultan Murad #Ramadan
2/ Prayer Rug
18th century
Kula, Manisa province, Anatolia, Turkey, Asia
Prayer rugs often feature a mihrab, or arched niche. This carpet is distinctive for its pairs of slender columns, a characteristic of Nasrid architecture from Muslim Spain #Ramadan
During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, many Muslims spend more time in Mosques in contemplation & prayer.
Mosque ceilings are designed to reflect the magnificence of the universe.
For Ramadan, here are spectacular details of 24 Mosque ceilings from around the world…
A thread…
1/ Jami Mosque, Andijan, Uzbekistan
The construction of the madrasah began in 1883 and lasted for 7 years. It has a gorgeous fretwork of wooden columns supporting a ceiling decorated with bright patterns made of a combination of geometrical ornaments & vegetal elements #Ramadan
Construction of the mosque started in 1603 and was finished in 1619. Built by the chief architect Mohammadreza Isfahani, during the reign of Shah Abbas I of Persia. Beautiful interior dome details #Ramadan
The art of calligraphy on a dried leaf, was practised widely in Ottoman Turkey. This was difficult & delicate work. The leaf was dried, & the tissue removed to leave the skeletal membrane, with gold ink applied over it.
For Ramadan, here are 20 exquisite examples…
A thread…
1/ Calligraphy Leaf
Ottoman Turkey
19th century
Golden calligraphy on a tree leaf from the Ottoman Era
Many featured verses written from the Qu’ran, Hadith prayers and poetry.
Chestnut leaf inscribed with a Qur’anic verse from Surat al-Isra’ (“The Night Journey,” Q17:80), which reads: “And say, ‘Lord grant me a good entrance and a goodly exit, and sustain me with Your power.”
The Dala’il al-Khayrat is a collection of prayers & blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ composed by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli in the 15th century.
The book is also renowned for its beauty.
For Ramadan, here are 24 exquisite examples across the world
A thread…
1/ Dala’il al-Khayrat, Muharram 1233/AD November 1818, Kashmir
This manuscript has previously been identified as Ottoman, but it reflects the tradition of Dala’il al-Khayrats from Kashmir and general manuscript production from that region
The name of the scribe is Khan Yunus Khan Bahu. It includes two illustrations of Mecca and Medina, which are very fine and decorated with little details from local architecture, or works of art.
The colour blue (al-azraq) in Islamic tradition often signifies the impenetrable depths of the universe, and turquoise blue is thought to have mystical qualities.
For Ramadan, here are 24 beautiful Islamic buildings & mosques, designed using the colour blue…
A thread…
1/ Jalil Khayat Mosque, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
The largest mosque in the city, it was begun by Jalil Khayat who died in 2005 & completed in 2007 by his sons in memory of their father. The blue style resembles the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in Cairo & Blue mosque in Istanbul #Ramadan
2/ Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Sohar, Oman
Inaugurated in 2018 & influenced by Persian & central Asian blue Islamic architectural styles with touches of traditional Omani architectural elements that make it unique #Ramadan