ISLAM: A SURVEYfrom 622CE

Photo courtesy ~crystalina~

ISLAM TODAY

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There are over 1 billion Muslims worldwide, of which 85% are Sunni and 15% are Shiite, although these figures are surely not exact. This accounts for over 20% of the world’s population.

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Islam

ISLAM EXPANSION

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A Caliph is the head of the Caliphate. Likewise, a Sultan is the head of a Sultanate. Although they are both rulers of an Islamic Empire, the difference is that a Caliph must be a successor of Muhammad the prophet.

The 500 year span from 700CE to 1200CE is known as the Islamic Golden Age.

MUHAMMAD

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THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

1. Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)2. Salah (Prayer)3. Zakah (Charity)4. Sawm (Fasting)5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)

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A page of a Qur’an from the 1400’s.

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KAABA

Photo courtesy G.M Farooq

Cuboidal form located inside the mosque at al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The mosque was build around the structure. The Kaaba is made of domestic materials - granite on a marble base specifically, and is masonry architecture. In terms of orientation, the four corners point to the four cardinal directions. The structure is covered in black silk and golden embroidery (a Kiswah), with calligraphic text taken from the Qur’an.This covering is changed annually.

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KAABA

Photo courtesy G.M Farooq

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ISLAM IN IRAQ: THE ABBASID CALIPHATE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Spiral_minar_samarra.jpg

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Built in 848-852CE of baked bricks, the Great Mosque of

Samarra is known for its 52m spiral minaret (Malwiyya). The

Mihrab is located on the interior of the South (Qibla) wall.

ISLAM IN SPAIN: IBERIAN MOORS

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Red and white striped arches are stylistic trademarks of the Moorish empire in Spain. A building of many metamorphosis, La Mezquita was first a temple,

subsequently a mosque, and finally a Catholic cathedral.

Photo courtesy Jialiang Gao

Islamic forms of government controlled the peninsula for around 800 years, from Emirates to Caliphates (Umayyad and Hammadid)

La Mezquita of Cordoba

ISLAM IN SPAIN: IBERIAN MOORS Alhambra citadel/palace of Granada

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Photo courtesy Yves Remedios

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Photo courtesy Jan Zeschky

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Photo courtesy Comakut

The Court of the Lions

“The Red One” as it is called, was built towards the end of Muslim rule, from

around 1338-1390.

ISLAM IN SPAIN: IBERIAN MOORS

Photo courtesy Javier Carro

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Alhambra citadel/palace of Granada

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Photo courtesy Gruban

Tessellation: A repeated shape that covers a plane, without overlap.

Arabesques: Plant and/or animal forms in an elaborate, geometric pattern. Repetition is a key quality of the style.

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ISLAM IN UZBEKISTAN: SAMARKAND

Photo courtesy Steve Evans

Occupying a central position on the Silk Road, Samarkand (Stone Fort in Old Persian) received many influences, exemplified by the Bibi-Khanym Mosque (1399-1404).

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ISLAM IN UZBEKISTAN: SAMARKAND

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Minarets & Domes are standard features of Islamic architecture.

Photo courtesy Trollderella

ISLAM IN MALI: TIMBUKTUThe University of Timbuktu (from the 1400’s) is comprised of three mosques/Madrasahs: Sankoré, Djinguereber, and Sidi Yahya.

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The Minaret of Djingareyber was constructed with mudbrick and Toron stakes (Acacia wood). Stakes act as permanent scaffolding for repair.

Photo courtesy Upyernoz

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Sankoré

Sidi Yahya

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Photo courtesy KaTeznik

MANSA MUSA & ASKIA THE GREAT

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A devout Muslim, Mansa Musa ruled the Mali Empire from 1312 - 1337 in Niani. His pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca was famous as he gave gold to towns along the way to build mosques. On his return, along with a vast collection of volumes in Arabic, he also brought religious scholars, and even an Arab architect by the name of al-Sahili to help construct islamic palaces, universities, and mosques in Timbuktu and Gao. His style was very influential to the Sudan. As stone was not to be found, wood-reinforced mud was a primary source of material. Another material that became popular for the homes of the wealthy was burnt brick. Other innovations included: flat roofs, pyramidal minaret.

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Photo courtesy Taguelmoust

Tomb of Askia (Songhai Emperor) in Gao (late 1400’s)

Early West African Kingdoms

Ghana Empire: 300-1076CEMali Empire: 1200 - 1550CESonghai Empire: 1500 - 1591CE

ISLAM IN TURKEY: THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

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Plan view

Hagia Sophia

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Photo courtesy Saperaud

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The structure was converted into a mosque around 1453, when Constantinople was conquered by the Turks.

MINARETS

The Blue Mosque: Istanbul, Turkey

Photo courtesy Daniel Duchon

GEOMETRIC FORM

The use of geometric patterns is a common device with Islamic design.

These patterns are thought to be spiritual. Circles, like Allah, are considered infinite. Repetition

(symbolic of unending) of motifs is widespread, showing again this infinite quality on both large and small scales.

The Arabesque (plant) motif is a popular choice.

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Istanbul

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MIHRAB

Photo courtesy Radomil Binek

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Hagia Sophia: Istanbul, Turkey

La Alferia: Zaragoza, Spain

A niche “doorway” oriented to Mecca, Mihrabs function as spiritual portals for prayers aimed at the Kaaba. This direction is known as Qibla.

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Photo courtesy of Rama

ISLAM IN INDIA: AGRA & THE MUGHAL EMPIRE

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Photo courtesy Dhirad

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Shah Jahan

Completed around 1648

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Photo courtesy Steve Evans

Burqa: Ladies garment (long pleated gown) which envelopes the

entire body.This picture was taken in Afghanistan.

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Photo courtesy Steve Evans

This Yemenese woman is wearing a Niqab, or veil to cover her face.

FASHION

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Women in Iran wear a Chador, which is a full-length piece of fabric that is held together by the hands.

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Photo courtesy Christiaan Briggs

Iraqi man wearing a Keffiyeh, or traditional

cotton headdress.

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Photo courtesy F.Dany

Bahraini man wearing Agal.

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