Algeria known as the “Balcony of the Mediterranean” is at the crossroads of three worlds Mediterranean, Arab & African.
This year the Mediterranean Games are hosted by Algeria; to celebrate we’re exploring its beautiful Islamic architecture & rich heritage #Oran2022
A thread…
1/ Dar Mustapha Pacha, Algeria
A Moorish palace, located in the Casbah of Algiers. It houses the National Museum of Miniatures, Illumination and Calligraphy.
It was built by the future Dey Mustapha Pacha between 1798 and 1799.
2/ Sidi Ahcen, Sétif, Algeria
Built by Sidi Ahcen in 1203, beautiful details of the architecture.
3/ Emir Abdelkader Mosque, Constantine, Algeria
Opened in 1994 it is the second largest mosque in Algeria after Djamaa Al Djazair and can accommodate up to 15,000 worshippers.
4/ Oran, Algeria
Known as the birthplace of rai folk music. The whitewashed Chapelle Santa Cruz, built after a cholera epidemic. In La Blanca, the Turkish old town, is the 18th-century Pacha Mosque with an octagonal minaret. Nearby, Kasr El Bey is an Ottoman palace.
5/ Constantine (Cirta), Algeria
Constantine in Algeria 🇩🇿 is one of the world’s oldest cities.
It became the capital of the Numidian Kingdom under the name Cirta. Destroyed by Maxence in 311CE, it was rebuilt shortly afterwards by Emperor Constantine who named it after himself.
6/ Ghardaïa, Algeria
Part of a pentapolis, a hilltop city amongst four others, built almost 1000 years ago in the M'Zab valley. It was founded by the Mozabites, an Ibadi sect of the Amazigh Muslims. It is a major centre of date production and the manufacture of rugs and cloths.
7/ Tlemcen, Algeria
Former seat of the Ziyanid caliphate, the Mechouar Palace is located inside a large citadel in central Tlemcen. Built in the 12th century, it has recently been restored to its original splendor. It has a similar design to the palace of Al Hambra in Granada.
8/ Casbah of Algiers, Algeria
Algiers palace located in the Casbah of Algiers in Algeria. Currently, it houses the national museum of illumination, miniature and calligraphy of Algiers. The palace was built by Mustapha Pasha between 1798 and 1799.
9/ El Hamma Garden, Algiers, Algeria
The Test Garden of Hamma is a 32-hectare botanical garden located in the Mohamed Belouizdad district of Algiers. Established in 1832 it is a natural museum & includes more than 2,500 species of plants and perennial trees for hundreds of years
10/ Casbah of Algiers, Algeria
A gaze at the back of the room that served as the office of the American consul in Algiers in the early years of French colonization
11/ Zaouïa Tijania, Touggourt, Algeria
Built in 1805 the beautiful colourful interior of Mosquée de la Zaouia Tijania.
12/ Oran, Algeria
A major coastal city located in the north-west of Algeria. Considered the 2nd most important city of Algeria after the capital Algiers. A French département in Algeria existing from 1848 until 1974 - see the French colonial influences in the architecture.
13/ Tlemcen, Algeria
Details from El Mansourah (the victorious) Mosque built by the Marinid of Fez in 1307.
14/ Boussâada, Algeria
Also known as the "City of Happiness!" It has never ceased to inspire artists worldwide, especially painters, who have immortalised the city in their unique works. A beautiful aerial shot of the landscape.
15/ Tlemcen, Algeria
The Andalusian studies center. Tlemlcen is a city in northern Algeria known for Moorish buildings, such as the 11th-century Grand Mosque, 12th-century tomb of Sidi Boumediene adjacent to a mosque is an example of Almoravid architecture, with carved stucco.
16/ El Mechouar, Tlemcen, Algeria
Mechouar Palace is the former official residence of the Zayyanid dynasty. The palace is situated in the middle of the city, and used to be part of the greater Mechouar Citadel which no longer exists except for the palace and the outer wall.
17/ Casbah of Algiers, Algeria
The Ketchaoua Mosque. While Algeria was under French colonial rule, this historic mosque was turned into a Christian cathedral. After the end of the Algerian War of Independence in 1962, it was returned to its original purpose, as a mosque.
18/ Annaba, Algeria
A beauty shot from the port city in northeast Algeria. On the Cours de la Révolution, the main street with a broad central promenade, architecture reflects the city’s French colonial past.
19/ Ghardaia, Algeria
A birdseye view - a colourful expression of the beauty of the city
20/ Bardo Palace, Algiers, Algeria
Bardo palace is a living example of what a Fahs residency looks like. Built during the 18th century. It is now a museum that houses two large collections within its walls. Beautiful interior details
21/ Zemmoura, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria
Bordj Zemoura is a town and commune in Bordj Bou Arréridj Province, Algeria. You can see Mesjid ben Hidous at the top of this picturesque town.
22/ Architecture in Algiers, Algeria
Algeria is known for its decorated doors. Beautiful architectural details in the capital city of Algiers.
23/ Tamanrasset, Algeria by day
Also known as Tamanghasset or Tamenghest, is an oasis city and capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains. It is the chief city of the Algerian Tuareg.
24/ Tamanrasset, Algeria by night
Also known as Tamanghasset or Tamenghest, is an oasis city and capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains. It is the chief city of the Algerian Tuareg.
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Arabic is one of the most romantic languages. It has at least 11 words for love and each of them conveys a different stage in the process of falling in love.
For Arabic Language Day, a thread on expressions of love in Arabic…
1/ Habibi or Habibti (حبيبي/حبيبتي)
In Arabic, habibi (masculine) and habibti (feminine) means “my love”. Arabs use this as the most common expression of love - for friends, family, and sometimes, even strangers.
#ArabicLanguageDay
2/ Rohi (روحي)
Rohi means “my soul mate”. So calling someone rohi means you’ll love them a lot longer than your life - for eternity
Khalil Gibran (1881-1931) is a Lebanese-American poet, writer, and philosopher, who bridged the soul’s longing for truth with the world’s eternal search for wisdom.
Born in what is now modern-day Lebanon, Gibran moved to the United States as a young man, where he became an influential voice in both Eastern and Western literary traditions. His most famous work, The Prophet (1923), is a collection of 26 poetic essays that explores timeless themes such as love, freedom, work, and spirituality. Written in a lyrical, mystical style, The Prophet has been translated into more than 100 languages and remains one of the most widely read and beloved books of the 20th century. Gibran’s blend of Eastern mysticism and Western romanticism appealed to readers seeking spiritual and philosophical guidance.
Gibran’s impact on global literature and philosophy is immense, as his works transcend cultural and religious boundaries. His ideas about the interconnectedness of all humanity, the pursuit of personal freedom, and the power of love resonated with readers from diverse backgrounds. Gibran’s writings have influenced spiritual movements, literary circles, and even political discourse, especially in the Arab world where he is considered one of the most influential writers of modern Arabic literature. His philosophy emphasizes the universality of human experience, bridging the gap between East and West, and his poetic vision continues to inspire generations of thinkers, artists, and spiritual seekers worldwide.
Mariam Astrulabi was a pioneering female Muslim scientist & astronomer, born in Syria during the 10th century. She is known for developing Astrolabes, an ancient astronomical computer for solving problems related to time & position of the sun & stars
A thread on Mariam Astrulabi
1/ Mariam al Astrulabi's remarkable contribution to the art of astrolabes has largely been ignored by the world. What she achieved in the 10th century consequently helped several generations of scientists to explore the concept of time and space.
Astrolabe @HSMOxford
@HSMOxford 2/ Astrolabes were beneficial in determining the position of the sun, moon, stars & the planets. They were used in astronomy, astrology & horoscopes. Muslims would specifically use it to find the Qibla, determine prayer times & the initial days of Ramadan and Eid
Did you know Mosque ceilings are designed to reflect the magnificence of the universe?
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
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
Ever wondered who paved the way for the age of algorithms?
It was a 9th-century Muslim genius, mathematician, geographer & astronomer, Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi - also known as the Father of Algebra
A thread on the incredible Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi…
1/ Even the term algorithm is Al-Khwarizmi translated into Latin!
The scientist and mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi lived from 780 to 850 AD in Persia and Iraq.
2/ Al-Khwarizmi's most significant contribution to mathematics was the development of algebra. His book, "Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala" (The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing), introduced systematic methods for solving linear and quadratic equations.
Did you know that the Persian scholar of medicine, Ibn Sina (980-1037) suspected some diseases were spread by microorganisms.
To prevent human-to-human contamination, he came up with a method of isolating people for 40 days.
A thread on Ibn Sina & his impact on modern science…
1/ Ibn Sina, also known to the Latin West as Avicenna, was a Persian polymath and one of the most influential Islamic philosophers, physicians, and scientists of the medieval period. He was born in 980 CE in present-day Uzbekistan and passed away in 1037 CE in Iran.
2/ Ibn Sina's medical works had a profound impact on European medicine. His most renowned work in medicine is "The Canon of Medicine" (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb), considered one of the most influential medical texts in history. It consists of five books & covers a range of medical topics