Mosque

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem



The Blue Mosque, Istanbul



The Great Mosque, Mecca, built around the original Kaaba, one of the most important mosques in all Islam.



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The mosque is the Islamic house of prayer, and Muslims believe it holds the greatest presence, other than the Quran itself, of God. The word "mosque" actually directly translates from Arabic to mean "a place for prostration". To prostrate one's self is to bow down, so a place to bow down to God. Original mosques were often transformed churches, usually through force. This was allowed, because Islam was thought to be a cousin religion with Christianity. Overtime, as Islam and Christianity were further separated from one another, non-Muslims were not allowed into mosques, which is still practiced today. Despite the fact that there is no written instruction as to how a mosque should appear, around the world, many mosques share basic structural features. These include a minbar, which is a pulpit from which a religious leader addresses the community. There is also a mihrab, a niche in one of the walls that indicates what direction Mecca is in, so that the worshipers may face that direction during prayer. As far as structure is concerned, domes are also commonplace in mosque architecture. They cause a feeling of expansiveness above us humans' lowly stations, and cause one to gaze up to the heavens. A perfect example would be the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem, hence it's name having the word "dome" in it. (It is shown in the first of the above images.) Another structure that is somewhat essential to mosques are the minarets, towers in the mosque from which one calls the people to prayer, five times a day. The need for these towers are, or at least were essential, because at the time Islam first started, the only way to project one's voice would be to place it above the crowds. This is no longer necessary, but minarets are still part of many mosques, the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul, is a great example, with minarets towering above the rest of the mosque, giving it an almost Gothic architecture mixed with the rest. (Blue Mosque is the second of above images.) Another important structural aspect that most mosques have is a large inner courtyard. This courtyard is open aired, and the surrounding walls are completely comprised of arches. This is modeled after the Prophet Muhammad's home in Medina, which included an inner courtyard, where he would often meditate. Because of this, the courtyards are supposed to encourage silent meditation. A prime example would be the Great Mosque in Mecca, which was built around the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in all of Islam. This mosque was the first to be b (The final of the above images shows an above view of the Great Mosque, and the Kaaba.)

GREAT JOB!

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The reason why mosques are so important to Islam is quite simple to deduce. GET TO THE POINT. Mosques are essentially places were one can more greatly communicate with God, in fact through them they are the best way to hear God's word, other than the Quran, which is the direct word of God to Muhammad, written down by close followers. Like Christianity, mosques are the same as churches as far as the "house of God" belief is concerned. To be specific, the Kaaba, and the Great Mosque surrounding it, are considered to be the "resting place of God." This is why in all mosques, there is a niche in the one of the walls called the //mihrab//, which points worshipers towards Mecca, where God is believed to be present. Also, mosques do not function only as a house of worship to God, but also as a meeting place for a Muslim community, though this is strictly a secondary function. Essentially, to be present at a mosque is to be present with God, and for any true believer of any religion, to be with one's deities is the greatest goal.

GOOD JOB.