The "Masjid"
A mosque is a place for worship in Islam where people gather together for prayers and for educational purposes. Mosques are also used as centers for information and dispute settlement, as well as politics. In Islamic countries, large mosques sometimes play a political role where political subjects are preached on a regular basis. Nearly every community of Muslims dedicates a space or building for congregational prayer. Every mosque is different and unique in its own way because building materials and design may differ from mosque to mosque, depending on the culture, heritage, and resources of each local community.
Masjid Nabawi - Saudi Arabia
http://www.noupe.com/photography/40-most-beautiful-mosques-in-the-world.html
http://www.noupe.com/photography/40-most-beautiful-mosques-in-the-world.html
Parts of a Mosque
Parts of a mosque are practical. They provide continuity, as well as a sense of tradition among Muslims worldwide.
*Minaret
- A minaret is a slim tower rising from a mosque that can vary in height, style and number. It is a traditionally decorative feature of most mosques.
*Prayer Hall
- The Prayer Hall is the central area for a prayer (“Musalla”). Furniture is limited to a couple of chairs for the elderly or disabled worshippers and some bookshelves along the walls to hold copies of the Qu’ran, other religious reading materials, and individual prayer rugs. All people use individual prayer rugs. They have been a traditional way to ensure cleanliness.
*Mihrab
- Mihrabs are ornamental decoration indentations in the walls of the mosque. They are usually shaped like a doorway and decorated with tiles and calligraphy, and mark the direction of the qiblah.
*Dome
- The dome holds no spiritual or symbolic significance, and is purely aesthetic.
*Shoe shelf
- Islam requires a clean environment during prayers, so Muslims always take off their shoes before entering. Shoe shelves are placed to neatly organize, and later find, their shoes. This shows respect and worshiping of the Islam culture. Muslims removing their shoes before entering a mosque to preserve the cleanliness of the prayer space is much like using individual prayer rugs.
- A minaret is a slim tower rising from a mosque that can vary in height, style and number. It is a traditionally decorative feature of most mosques.
*Prayer Hall
- The Prayer Hall is the central area for a prayer (“Musalla”). Furniture is limited to a couple of chairs for the elderly or disabled worshippers and some bookshelves along the walls to hold copies of the Qu’ran, other religious reading materials, and individual prayer rugs. All people use individual prayer rugs. They have been a traditional way to ensure cleanliness.
*Mihrab
- Mihrabs are ornamental decoration indentations in the walls of the mosque. They are usually shaped like a doorway and decorated with tiles and calligraphy, and mark the direction of the qiblah.
*Dome
- The dome holds no spiritual or symbolic significance, and is purely aesthetic.
*Shoe shelf
- Islam requires a clean environment during prayers, so Muslims always take off their shoes before entering. Shoe shelves are placed to neatly organize, and later find, their shoes. This shows respect and worshiping of the Islam culture. Muslims removing their shoes before entering a mosque to preserve the cleanliness of the prayer space is much like using individual prayer rugs.