Mosques

Contents Author's note. 1. The mosque in history. 2. JeruSalem. 3. Damascus. 4. North Africa and Andalusia. 5. Mesopotamia. 6. Egypt. 7. Turkey. 8. Persia. 9. Central Asia. 10. The Indian subcontinent. 11. Contemporary mosques. Glossary. Bibliography. The story of the world's great mosques is intrinsically related to the story and spread of Islam in the world. Against the canvas of the rise and fall of great Islamic dynasties this book takes the reader on a fascinating journey to ancient lands where some of the greatest architectural marvels of history were created. The narrative begins with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad founder of Islam and the founding of the first Muslim congregational place of prayer. It then follows a broadly chronological sequence of the development of the mosque in countries and kingdoms across the world right up to the modern age. The architectural features of great mosques are highlighted through a selection of drawings and brilliant coloured photographs. The book brings under one umbrella an unusual selection of architectural masterpieces and in the process documents one of the most dynamic religious movements of all time. 144 pp. …