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Mosque architecture, like the entire
Islamic architecture, is different from one geographical area to
another. This fact happened because of the local architects and
craftsmen ideas and because of the various local construction
materials that were used. One important details about the
mosque’s architecture is that all of them must be built with its
orientation toward Mecca. One wall of the mosque has alcoves
that indication the Mecca’s direction. The most of the Egypt’s
mosques represents complexes made from other buildings: some of
the houses the madrasa, which is an Islamic school, or they may
house tombs, mausoleums or hospitals. The mosque’s most
important place is the prayer room, which may be covered or sky
open. The size of the sanctuary (the prayer room) depends on the
open courtyard’s size. Arcades or colonnades surround three of
the courtyard’s sides, the fourth side being opened in the
prayer hall that is covered. The prayer hall has no furniture in
order to make space for as many people as possible. Another
important part of the mosques are the towering minarets,
representing the mosque’s most visible elements. In the old
times, the towering minarets were used by muezzins to call the
people to adhan (the prayer). Today, the loudspeakers are
utilized for calling the Muslims to the prayer, and the minaret
function is more a symbolic one. Most of the mosques have
ablution fountains in their courtyards; these fountains are used
for the ritual of purification that precedes the prayers.
Another mosque’s architectural structures are the domes which
are situated on the prayer room and are used to help the
religious leader’s voice to be heard even at large distances.
The architecture of Egypt’s mosques continues to fascinate the
world with her beauty and complexity. |
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