On the first day in Bahrain we went to the Grand Mosque. The mosque is only a ten minute walk from my apartment and is one of the most beautiful building I have ever seen in my life. We were given a tour by one of the women who works there and she did an absolutely amazing job. She explained to us all of the architecture and little things about the religion. For instance, in the mosque there are no pictures of animals or people. Many individuals have requested that a statue of the prophet Muhammed be placed in the mosque but it will never happen. The reason for this is that Muslims see it as a sin to pray to anyone but Allah. Allah is the creator and the giver so to pray to the prophet, even though he started the religion is an unforgivable sin unless you ask fro forgiveness before death. They say the Muhammed is simply a prophet, who they believe to be the LAST prophet. They believe in other prophets too, such as Abraham and Moses and Jesus Christ, all are mentioned in the Kor'an. They believe that these were just men, they were human like us whom Allah used to teach the way one should live. Muslims are also very open to other religions believing that Allah sent prophets all over the world who shared his word and that the slight differences between religions actually came from the different interpretations, human error. It is a fascinating religion to learn about especially with all of the negative stigma we have in the States.
This building is also one of the most spiritual places I have ever been. I will probably go pray in the mosque a few times while I am here since anyone, not just those of the Islamic faith, are welcome.
Here is the outside os the Grand Mosque. There are beautiful details every where, you don't even have to look close.
Here is a closer picture of some of the details from the outside.
ME in front of the mosque. I was super colorful this day!
When you enter into the mosque, as a woman you must wear a hijab (head covering) and an abaya (the long dresses) This is simply out of respect and so there are no distractions. Muslims do not stand around and talk or socialize in the mosque, they simply come to pray.
One interesting feature of this mosque is that there is an outside courtyard that can be used for praying. It is just as beautiful as the inside. The floor gets really hot during the day though! I walked over it and I burned my feet!
This is the inside prayer room. The carpet in here is from Scotland and the bulbs are from France. Pretty much everything from inside the mosque comes from all over the world. I think it is interesting that they take pride in this because it makes Islam see so world-wide. The carpet is actually also has geometric shapes on it that correlate with all the rest of the designs in the mosque.
A look down the side of the prayer room. The things in the middle are little desks that they can place anywhere in the mosque for a lesson.
Along with the geometric shapes, Islamic artists will do calligraphy. All of the calligraphy along the top are arabic inscriptions from the Kor'an.
Some of the men in our group in a thob (can't wear shorts!) listening to a brief lesson about the Kor-an by our tour guide. She truly explained this religion so well and made it seem so beautiful... nothing like I have read or heard about before.
A window :)
Another shot of the glass bulbs and the doors
This clock chart displays the different praying intervals. At each of these times, the call to prayer in made from the mosque. Each time the call starts by saying "Allah is greatest"or something along those lines. It's to remind everyone that Allah comes first in life. Muslims also do not have to drop down and pray right then and there when the call is heard... they just have to pray between the times in order for their religious duties to be fulfilled. All the prayers normally only equate to about 30-40 minutes per day.
View looking up into the dome. At the time the dome was built, it was the largest fiberglass dome ever made.
A page of the Kor'an. Interesting fact: Mary in mentioned in the Kor'an. They believe that she was a virgin who gave birth to Jesus and the section about her is the 19th chapter in the Kor'an. This is considered the heart of the Kor'an. They believe it shows that Allah can create using any thing. He can create human with man and woman (as usual). He can create human from no man and no woman (Adam). He can create human with just man (Eve) and lastly, he can create human from only woman (Jesus).
The doors are absolutely beautiful and intricate.
Window
Outside prayer space.
Looking down from the balcony. The carpet has lines all the way across it. It is better to pray in groups in the Islamic faith. Individuals are supposed to stand with feet and shoulders touching, it makes the prayer stronger. the men are normally in the front and women stand in the back. They do not see this as a women are lesser but as a comfort thing. When Muslims pray, they bend over and kneel and stand... the when say they don't want a man's face right by their behind so they stand together.
The outside courtyard.
This is from the outside courtyard as well. Before microphones were invented the prayer leader (which can be anyone, even children) would stand in front of the concave and speak towards it, this projects their voice very well. There is also one inside prayer room.
Me in my outfit :) I was the only one in an orange hijab (I think it's because of my red hair)
Me and my roommate Tricia
The concave in the prayer room. The man next to it was actually doing the call to prayer. It was very beautiful to listen to.
Me in the center of the prayer room
Me and one of the other teachers Laura.
