Muslim Achievement

Cultural Contributions

Copyright © Clara Kim 2007. All rights reserved.

Muslim Architecture

Cultural Blending• It is in Architecture that the greatest

cultural blending can be seen• Already existing buildings were modified

by Islamic Ideals• Islamic Features:

–Multi-lobed interwoven arches–Domes–Minarets–Large courtyards

Multi-lobed interwoven arches

Domes

Dome of the Rock• Located in Jerusalem• Rock in the center is believed to be the spot from

where Muhammad ascended (rose) up to Heaven

Minarets• Towers built

from where Muslims are called to prayer 5 times a day

Large Courtyards

Mosaics• Artwork created

using tiny pieces of colored glass tiles

• Muslims use mosaics to create geometric decorations on Mosques

Arabic Alphabet• Arabic was first

used to translate the context of the Quran (The Holy Book of Islam)

• Written from Right to Left

• Made up of 28 letters

Calligraphy• Art of beautiful

handwriting• In Islam, showing

living things in art was not allowed

• So artists turned to calligraphy to express themselves.

• Turn to page 247 in books

Universities• Muhammad strongly believed in the

power of learning–This led to support of places of

learning by Muslim Leaders

• Qualified physicians = treat the sick

• Mathematicians and Astronomers = Calculated times for prayer

Pictures Cited• Slide 2 – http://lloydi.com/travel-writing/turkey/wallpaper/blue-mosque-1x7.jpg

• Slide 4 – http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/772/551106.JPG

• Slide 5 – http://www.tomisimo.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/cordoba-mosque.jpg

• Slide 6 – http://taprobiz.com/pipeline/photo_contest/herit_mosquedome_hashirM.jpg, http://www.getreligion.org/wp-content/photos/Jameh_mosque_dome.JPG

• Slide 7 – http://www.blessingscornucopia.com/islammuslimislamicsunnahdomeoftherockjerusalem.jpg

• Slide 8 – http://witcombe.sbc.edu/sacredplaces/images/domeofrockint.jpg

• Slide 9 – http://www.efratnakash.com/galleries_l_pics/israel/jerusalem/11-0011.jpg

• Slide 10 – http://www.biblelieux.com/images/Dome_du_Rocher_vu_de_l_est,_tb042403.jpg

• Slide 11 – http://www.socwel.ku.edu/candagrant/Gallery/HFC-Thumbnail/Islam/Islamic%20Center%20of%20Greater%20Kansas%20City,%20Kansas%20City,%20MO,%2004,%20AK/Minaret%20and%20Dome.jpg

• Slide 12 – http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/images/2005/01/17/minaret_gallery_352x470.jpg, http://www.nmazca.com/cairo/al-fath_mosque_minaret.jpg

• Slide 13 – http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/4/4.615/images/3/1009.jpeg

• Slide 14 – http://farm1.static.flickr.com/22/27024065_863da4a255.jpg

• Slide 15 – http://www.essential-architecture.com/STYLE/800px-Selimiye_Mosque%252C_Dome.jpg

• Slide 16 – http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/travel/tg/lp/0d/500x500_0d8424b66f65b3bbb6f59c9b935356df.jpg

• Slide 17 – http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/images/arabic1.jpg

• Slide 18 – http://www.islamicarchitecture.org/art/images/calligraphy/islamic.calligraphy9.gif, http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/eastwest/images/calligraphylion.jpg

• Slide 19 –http://creativebits.org/files/zoomorphic_calligraphy.jpg