Islam and its Architecture Opening Agenda
Things you need: Adventures in the Human Spirit Text Guided note sheets pages 25-32 Things to do: Opener - Reading on Islam Notes: Islam and Architecture Class work: Arabesques, Mosque of Cordoba, and the Dome of the Rock Opener Review Write these answers on the back of your guided notes.
1) Name the religion that is the worlds oldest continuing religion? 2) Describe the floor plan of a Hindu temple. 3) Describe the garba griha. 4) Why are some parts of the Hindu temple painted white? 5) Why is the Hindu temple located near water? 6) Is there one God or many gods in Hinduism? Explain. The Rise of Islam - Page124-128 (page 32)
1.) ______________________________ was the founder and prophet of Islam 2.) Why might some Muslims today commit suicide, through terrorism, in defense of Islam? 3.) ___________________ is the name of the event from which Muslims date their calendar. 4.) To what three other prophets, in Islam, might Muhammad be compared? 5.)________________________ is the universal language of Islam. 6.) In what direction do Muslims face during prayer? 7.) Islamic achievements were greatest in _________, _________, and _________. 8.) The world can thank Arabic centers of learning for preserving the works of these twoGreek philosophers:_______________ and _________________. 9.) The ____________________________________, in Jerusalem, sits on the site where Jews believed Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac and where Muslims believed Muhammad ascended to visit heaven. 10.) What is meant by a common religious heritage..among Jews, Christians, and Muslims? Opener - The Rise of Islam - Page124-128
1.) ______________________________ was the founder and prophet of Islam Muhammad 2.) Why might some Muslims today commit suicide, through terrorism, in defense of Islam? Death in defense of Islam brings immediate reward of Paradise 3.) ___________ is the name of the event from which Muslims date their calendar. Hegira 4.) To what three other prophets, in Islam, might Muhammad be compared? Abraham, Moses, and Jesus 5.)________________________ is the universal language of Islam. Arabic 6.) In what direction do Muslims face during prayer? Mecca (East for USA) 7.) Islamic achievements were greatest in _________, _________, and _________. science, mathematics and philosophy 8.) The world can thank Arabic centers of learning for preserving the works of these twoGreek philosophers:____________ and _________________. Plato and Aristotle. 9.) The _________, in Jerusalem, sits on the site where Jews believed Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac and where Muslims believed Muhammad ascended to visit heaven. Dome of the Rock 10.) What is meant by a common religious heritage..among Jews, Christians, and Muslims? Your opinion but use supporting evidence! Opener #3 The Rise of Islam - Page124-128
1.) Muhammadwas the founder and prophet of Islam 2.) Why might some Muslims today commit suicide, through terrorism, in defense of Islam? Death in defense of Islam brings immediate reward of Paradise 3.) Hegira is the name of the event from which Muslims date their calendar. 4.) To what three other prophets, in Islam, might Muhammad be compared? Abraham, Moses, and Jesus 5.)Arabic is the universal language of Islam. 6.) In what direction do Muslims face during prayer?Mecca (East for USA) 7.) Islamic achievements were greatest in science, mathematics and philosophy. 8.) The world can thank Arabic centers of learning for preserving the works of these twoGreek philosophers:Plato and Aristotle. 9.) The Dome of the Rock, in Jerusalem, sits on the site where Jews believed Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac and where Muslims believed Muhammad ascended to visit heaven. 10.) What is meant by a common religious heritage..among Jews, Christians, and Muslims?Opinion Answers will vary. Islam Overview Basic Information: Interesting Aspects:
Islam means submission to God Mecca origin of Islam; most holy city Ramadan 9th month on the Hegira, considered holy 1500 years Interesting Aspects: No pork or alcohol Male Circumcision Polygamy permitted but not practiced universally Loans are not allowed to carry interest Intense study of mathematics Five Pillars of Islam One god, Allah Pray 5 times a day towards Mecca. Donate wealth to charity. Ramadan fast sunrise to sunset. Hajj to Mecca, once in a life time Similar to the Eight Fold Path (Buddhism) & Ten Commandments (Christianity) Islam Overview Spread of Islam from 622-750 C. E
Spread of Islam from C.E. What aspect of Islam would have caused it to spread so quickly? (Yellow - 10 years, Light Purple 39 years, Dark Purple 128 years) Quran (Koran) Holy text of Islam 114 surahs (chapters)
Arabic language of Islam Kufic script earliest of Arabic calligraphy styles -decorative, seen on the outside and inside of a mosque Islam and Figurative Images
Allah is beyond all imagining so there are no paintings or pictures of him Arabesques intricate designs with sacred text - decorative motif; organic and geometric elements of Islamic art used to decorate the walls of mosques that reflect the infinite, uncentralized, nature of the creation of Allah. conveys spirituality without the iconography of Christian art. Geometric arabesque tiling on the underside of the dome of the Tomb of Hafez in Shiraz. Arabesque Application
Objective: To understand the complexity of an arabesque design by creating an Islamic Tile Assignment: You will decorate an Islamic tile provided by creating an arabesque design Design colors should be limited to create unity within all tiles Time Allotted: 15 minutes Examples: Explain to students that Islamic tiles are used to decorate structures The Mosque Structures of the Mosque
Minaret Slender tower near a mosque Used by the muezzin to call out for people to come to prayer Minaret Structures of the Mosque
Mihrab Niche indicating Mecca, direction Muslims pray. Holiest place in a mosque can be of wood or masonry and is adorned with pillars decorated Mihrab Structures of the Mosque
Minbar Pulpit in a mosque next to the mihrab Platform from which anyone can speak , not just religious leaders Speaker never goes to the top step ; reserved for Allah and the Prophet Muhammad Minbar Identify the major structures found in a mosque. The Mosque of Cordoba Answer the following questions on your learning guide
Mosque of Cordoba Construction begun 784
Enlarged in the 9th and 10th centuries Eventually became one of the largest mosques in the Muslim West In 1236, Ferdinand III king of Castile consecrated the Great Mosque as the city's cathedral The building is now a mix of Islamic and Christian sacred structures Structures: Hypostyle prayer hall plan consisting of a rectangular prayer hall and an enclosed courtyard Hypostyle prayer hall A hall with a roof supported by columns 36 piers, 514 columns, double arch system that carries a wooden roof Needed to raise a taller roof using shorter columns (reuse/recycle) Dome of the Rock Preview of the first great Islamic building: Dome of the Rock This shrine was built in Jerusalem by the 9th ruler between Built not only to proclaim the supremacy of Islam, but to ensure that new followers of Islam would not be tempted by Christianity. Significance of this site for the following religions: Judaism Over the foundation stone Importance is similar to Mecca for Islam where Abraham was going to sacrifice his son, Isaac Stands above the believed location of Solomon's Temple and Herods Temple Christianity Constantine's mom built the first Christian church near this site Constantine was Romes first Christian emperor Islam Muhammad ascended to Paradise from this rock to speak to Allah and then returned as Allahs prophet. Dome of the Rock Why is it so pretty? Basic structures: Details
Columns (different sizes), mirhab Details Full moon decoration on the top (symbolizes crescent moon symbol of Islam Turkish tiles on the top (from the restoration in 50s-60s) and white marble on the bottom. Arabic inscriptions from the Quran. Mathematical rhythm. All dimensions of the center circle are related to the major structures. For example: each outer wall is 67 ft. long, which is exactly the domes diameter and exactly its height from the base of the drum. Dome of the Rock To recap Dome of the Rock Analysis
Objective: To gain a greater understanding of the Dome of the Rock Assignment: Annotate the article by Circling the most important word and phrase in each paragraph Summarize each paragraph in the space provided Time allotted: 15 minutes Dome of the Rock Analysis
Determine whether or not the Dome of the Rock is a mosque, a shrine, a holy space, or a palace. Dome of the Rock Analysis
Objective: Determine whether or not the Dome of the Rock is a mosque, a shrine, Secular public space, or a palace. 1) Mosque- an Islamic structure for worship that includes minarets, a minbar, and a mihrab 2) Shrine- a structure dedicated or reserved for a person or special event 3) Secular public space: where individuals congregate without a religious association 4) Palace- residence of royalty Assignment: Complete the handout provided to determine the function of the Dome of the Rock Time Allotted: 10 minutes SoWhat is it? Place your answer where appropriate.
Its a mosque. Its shrine. Its a sacred public place. Its a palace. Why does understanding the importance of the Dome of the Rock matter?
Answer the question above on the back of your Islam guided notes as you watch the following clip. 1 2 Exit Slip 1) Name the structures seen below:
2) What structure is considered the holiest in Islam? 3) Is the Dome of the Rock a mosque or a shrine? 4) Define arabesque. 5) What basic architectural structure is essential to holding up the roof of the Mosque of Cordoba? 1 2