In any traditional society, a sacral place plays a very significant role in the community. For most religions, it is primarily used as a worshipping place for communal or personal usages.
But, do you know, in Islam, the mosque or masjid, had been used more than just a worshipping place? In the early formation of Islam, the mosque was used a worshipping place, administrative centre, judiciary court, social and gathering place, hospice, school and so on.
Even though the functions of the mosque today may not have been the same as it was during the historical period, the role of the mosque nowadays have been evolved and turned out to be a successful communal node. Some mosques today may have a business centre, museum, broadcasting studio, residential blocks, playground and many more.
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| Mosques from around the world (flickr.com) |
To find out more about the mosque architecture, its history and design principles, as well as various mosques throughout the world, you may check out this cool monograph.
The first ever attempt to collate a broad list of the selected mosques from the Islamic world, the monograph features from the architecture perspective, as well as history and design elements. It will be presented in images, 3D illustrations, as well as brief texts and information.
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| View of the e-book page (www.atsa.com.my) |
The monograph is published by ATSA Architects, an architectural and design firm based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You may view the monograph partial edition in the e-book format at this link: http://www.atsa.com.my/masjid.html
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| Cover page of the monograph (www.atsa.com.my) |
The monograph is expected to be finished soon by the year 2015. Grab your copy now, as the order is now open (email at haziq@atsa.com.my). It is a resourceful and comprehensive reading and research material for any architecture lovers, students and practitioners out there. As well as a good and informative pictorial book for all, especially for those who are keen into the Islamic arts and design. Gotta grab your copy now!
Quick Facts:
The monograph will also reveal the unique design evolution process of the two most sacred mosques in Islam, the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah, both located in Saudi Arabia.
The Taj Mahal in India itself is not a mosque, but there is a different structure for a mosque in the same compound area!
The traditional mosque in China and South East Asia nor have a mosque-look alike, but merely a Chinese temple and Hinduism influence structure.
Some mosques were converted from other religious sacral buildings and vice versa. The prevalent examples are the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey and the Cathedral Mosque in Cordoba, Spain.
The world's purposely oldest mosque is Quba Mosque, built by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. However, the oldest dedicated prayer space would be the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, where Kaa'ba was built by the Prophet Ibrahim, with the help of his son, Prophet Ismail.
The monograph will also reveal the unique design evolution process of the two most sacred mosques in Islam, the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah, both located in Saudi Arabia.
The Taj Mahal in India itself is not a mosque, but there is a different structure for a mosque in the same compound area!
The traditional mosque in China and South East Asia nor have a mosque-look alike, but merely a Chinese temple and Hinduism influence structure.
Some mosques were converted from other religious sacral buildings and vice versa. The prevalent examples are the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey and the Cathedral Mosque in Cordoba, Spain.
The world's purposely oldest mosque is Quba Mosque, built by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. However, the oldest dedicated prayer space would be the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, where Kaa'ba was built by the Prophet Ibrahim, with the help of his son, Prophet Ismail.
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