From Brazil to Argentina, to Peru to Venezuela, Latin America is home to some of the most wonderful Mosques, that stylistically reflect the cultural heritage & diversity of local Muslim communities.
Here are the most incredible Mosques in Latin America #JummahMubarak
A thread…
1/ Mosque of Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim, Caracas, Venezuela
It is the second largest mosque in Latin America after the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center in Buenos Aires. The construction of the mosque began in 1989 by Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim.
1/ Mesquita Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil
Known for its modernist design and notable minaret. The mosque was designed by architect Paulo Antonio Mendes da Rocha & built in 1989.
1.1/ Mesquita Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil
It’s interior is adorned with traditional Middle Eastern intricate tilework and calligraphy.
2/ The Mosque of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, Maicao, La Guajira, Colombia
It is the third largest mosque in Latin America. It is locally known as "La Mezquita" ("The Mosque"), simply because it is the only mosque in the region. Constructed in 1997.
3/ Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, Sao Paulo, Brazil
The largest mosque in South America, it is a fusion of Ottoman and Arab styles in modern design, blending traditional Islamic elements with contemporary materials, such as glass and steel, to create a stunning and unique structure
3.1/ Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, Sao Paulo, Brazil
It has a unique facade that incorporates geometric shapes and intricate tilework, while its interior is decorated with beautiful calligraphy and patterns. This is the Mihrab.
4/ Bab Al-Islam Mosque, Tacna, Peru
Although there are other mosques in Peru, this is the only example of Islamic architecture. Combined with the adjoining Shah Wali-Ullah School of Sciences it is the largest mosque in the region. Prayers are offered in both Spanish & Arabic
5/ Mesquita do Brás, São Paulo, Brazil
Built in the 1940s. The mosque features a mix of Islamic & Brazilian architectural styles, with a distinctive large central dome. It also features a grand entrance as well as intricate tilework & geometric patterns that adorn its interior.
6/ Mesquita de Cuiabá, Cuiabá, Brazil
Built in the 1980s. The mosque features a modernist design, with Islamic elements like a dome and minarets fused with local Brazilian styles, such as a red-tiled roof and beautiful interior decor including colourful tiles.
7/ Mezquita As-Salam, Santiago, Chile
The building, the first mosque in Chile, was commissioned in 1989, and was opened in 1996 by the king of Malaysia. The octagon building has a copper color dome like that of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem Al-Quds.
8/ Khaled Ibn Al-Walid Mosque, Quito, Ecuador
Founded in the year 1991, it was the first Muslim religious organisation recognised by the government conducting Religious activities as well as social, cultural and educational
9/ Mezquita Abou Bakr Al-Siddiq, Bogotá, Colombia
The land where the mosque stands today was purchased in 2010. Soon the construction of the mosque commenced within the same year. The mosque is the largest mosque in Bogotá
10/ Centro Cultural Islámico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Named after King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. It became the largest Mosque in Latin America, after the President Carlos Menem's 1995 grant of 34,000 m² of municipal land in the Palermo section of Buenos Aires was given to the Mosque
11/ Mezquita Sunni de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
This is the principal entrance to the Mosque, a colourful amalgamation of traditional Argentinian and Islamic design.
12/ The Naqshbandi Sufi Darghah, Chile
Led by a local Chilean sheikh who established the first branch in Chile, this small group of Muslims is connected to Naqshbandi Orders throughout the Americas, including Argentina and the United States.
13/ Mezquita Al Ahmad, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Opened in 1985. It is the second oldest mosque in Buenos Aires but it is the oldest building with Islamic architecture in Argentina and it was designed by Ahmed and Elia Ham.
14/ Centro Cultural Islamico, Montevideo, Uruguay
The statistics for Islam in Uruguay estimate a total Muslim population of 1000, representing 0.02 percent of the population. This is the main Islamic centre & Mosque,
15/ Mezquita Suraya, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico.
The mosque was completed in 1989 and was the first purpose-built mosque constructed in Mexico. Architect Zain Chamut was commissioned to design a mosque that reflected both Islamic and Hispanic architectural tradition.
16/ The biggest Mosque in Latin America…
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Shah-i-Zinda is one Samarkand’s most beloved sites, which contains some of the richest tile work in the world. The magnificent architecture draws inspiration from multiple periods & styles, taking you back through time & across cultures
A thread on the beauty of Shah-i-Zinda…
1/ The Shah-i-Zinda ensemble includes mausoleums, mosques & other ritual buildings of 11-15th & 19th centuries. The name Shah-i-Zinda (meaning The living king) is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH is buried here
📷 Ash Diler
2/ Shah-i-Zinda is a world-famous example of a continuously constructed historical site. Over 1,000 years ago, it was founded with a single religious monument. Between the 11th & 19th centuries, mosques & mausoleums were continuously added
From Spain to Azerbaijan, to Germany to Bosnia, Europe has some of the finest mosques.
The presence of Islam in Europe is not a new phenomenon, with Muslims residing in the continent as early as the 8th century.
Here are 24 mosques across Europe #JummahMubarak
A thread…
1/ Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque, Mostar, Bosnia
Dates back to 1617 & features numerous multicolored windows, a minaret with a lookout spot & a courtyard with several tombs. Although the original Ottoman mosque was heavily damaged during the attacks of the 1990s it has been restored
2/ The Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking, England
This is the first purpose built mosque that was built in the UK.
It was built in 1889 by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, an orientalist of Jewish descent from Hungary. Money was donated by Begum Shah Jahan, the Nawab Begum of Bhopal.
Welcome to Al-Mutanabbi Street the ‘Book Market of Baghdad’, where books remain in the street at night because Iraqis say:
“The reader does not steal and the thief does not read.”
A thread on the rich heritage of the historic book market on Al-Mutanabbi Street…
1/ Al-Mutanabbi Street is the historic center of Baghdad bookselling, that dates back to the time of the Abbasids. Located near the old quarter of Baghdad, Al-Mutanabbi Street was Baghdad’s first book traders’ market.
2/ Al-Mutanabbi Street has been, since time immemorial, the historic heart and soul of the Baghdad literary and intellectual community.
Libraries developed in the Islamic Golden Age due to a commitment to literacy & seeking knowledge. One of the oldest libraries in the world Al-Qarawiyyin library, was founded by a Muslim woman, more than 12 centuries ago!
A thread on the greatest libraries in Islamic history…
1/ Al-Qarawiyyan Library, Fez, Morocco
Founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima El-Fihriya in 859, it is one of the oldest libraries in the world & the oldest library in Africa. It also holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest working library, & is still in use today…
1.1/ The Al-Qarawiyyan Library houses a collection of 4,000 rare books & ancient Arabic manuscripts written by renowned scholars of the region. The manuscripts include a 9th century version of the Quran and a manuscript on Islamic jurisprudence written by philosopher Averroes.
Designed to imitate the heavens, Islamic gardens are lush oases of scent, water and sacred geometry. They are a cool place of rest and a reminder of paradise.
Here are 20 beautiful Islamic gardens from across the world…
A thread….
1/ Gardens @CambCentMosque
A harmonious balance between Islamic structure & relaxed English herbaceous and naturalistic planting. A concern for sustainability, biodiversity & insect-friendly planting has also been a constant theme in the selection of plants.
@CambCentMosque 2/ Jardin Majorelle, Morocco
The garden, started in 1924, contains a psychedelic desert mirage of 300 plant species from five continents.
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.
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
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