Millions of Muslims across the globe welcomed the holy month of Ramadan with Tarawih, a special evening prayer observed exclusively during the sacred month of fasting and devotion.

After breaking their fast at sunset, worshippers traditionally congregate in mosques to perform Tarawih. Meaning “rest” in Arabic, Tarawih is observed after the last daily prayer, Isha.

Ramadan in London is a vibrant and spiritual time for the city's Muslim community. Mosques like the East London Mosque and Regents Park Mosque hold special prayers (Taraweeh) and community iftars. Many restaurants and cafes offer late-night meals to accommodate fasting hours. The city also hosts charity events and food drives to support those in need. With London’s diverse population, Ramadan is marked by a mix of traditions from different cultures, making it a unique and inclusive experience.

Islamic World

The Islamic world refers to countries and regions where Islam is dominant, influencing various aspects of life, including culture, politics, law, and education. It is not just limited to the Middle East; it spans Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Critical Aspects of the Islamic World:
1. Geographical Spread:
Middle East and North Africa (MENA): The heartland of Islam, including countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey.
South Asia: Countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, where Islam plays a central role.
Southeast Asia: Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Somalia have significant Muslim populations.
Europe: There are significant Muslim communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and growing populations in Western Europe due to migration.
2. Cultural and Religious Practices:
Religious Practices: The Five Pillars of Islam (Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj) are central to Islamic life.
Islamic Law (Sharia): In many Muslim-majority countries, Sharia law influences or directly governs legal systems, covering everything from criminal law to personal status issues like marriage and inheritance.
Language: Arabic is the liturgical language of Islam, but other languages, such as Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and Malay, are widely spoken in the Islamic world.
3. Historical Contributions:
The Golden Age of Islam (8th to 14th century) was a period of significant advancements in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, with learning centres in cities like Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba.
Architecture: Islamic architecture is renowned for its mosques, madrasas (schools), and palaces, featuring minarets, domes, and intricate geometric designs.
4. Modern-Day Dynamics:
Political Landscape: The Islamic world includes various governance systems, from monarchies in the Gulf States to republics in Iran and Turkey. Political Islam and movements like the Muslim Brotherhood have had significant influence in some regions.
Economic Power: The Islamic world includes some of the world's largest oil producers, like Saudi Arabia and Iran, which play a critical role in global energy markets.
Social Issues: The Islamic world faces diverse social challenges, from modernisation and globalisation to debates over women's rights, democracy, and the role of religion in the state.
5. Global Influence:
Diaspora: Significant Muslim communities in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world contribute to the global influence of Islam.
Interfaith Relations: Islam is one of the world's major religions, with interfaith dialogue becoming increasingly important in promoting understanding and cooperation between different religious communities.
The Islamic world is diverse and complex, with a rich history and significant impact on global culture, politics, and economics.

Crescent Moon Graces Istanbul’s Sky, Captured Alongside Sultanahmet Mosque

Istanbul, Turkey – In a breathtaking moment that epitomizes the city’s timeless beauty, a crescent moon was captured shining in the sky above Istanbul, forming a stunning backdrop to the historic Sultanahmet Mosque. The delicate sliver of moonlight seemed to hover directly over the mosque, enhancing the elegance of its minarets and domes. This serene scene, blending natural beauty with architectural grandeur, reflects the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Istanbul.

The image of the crescent moon, a symbol deeply intertwined with Turkish identity and Islamic tradition, alongside one of the most iconic mosques in the world, has captivated the hearts of locals and visitors alike. This fleeting yet powerful visual encapsulates the essence of Istanbul, a city where the past and present coexist in perfect harmony.

Photo by: Hakan Sarı
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#istexpats #istanbulexpatcommunity #istanbul #expat #news

Mourners around the world attended absentee funeral prayers for slain political chief of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated by Israel on July 31.

Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, Yemen and occupied East Jerusalem were among the places people flocked to honour Haniyeh.

Here are some scenes from the mosques in those countries.

Masjid Abu Bakr al-Siddiq is located southwest of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. This mosque is a significant site where the Prophet (PBUH) prayed Eid, followed by his companion Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA). It was built by Umar ibn Abdul Aziz in the first century of Hijrah and renovated during the reign of King Salman.

#Madinah #IslamicHeritage #HistoricMosques

The Great Mosque of Samarra, also known as the Samarra Mosque, is one of the most significant examples of early Islamic architecture. Located in Samarra, Iraq, it was constructed in the 9th century during the Abbasid Caliphate. The most distinctive feature of the Great Mosque of Samarra is its spiral minaret, known as the Malwiya Tower. The mosque covered an area of 38,000 square meters (about 9.4 acres), making it one of the largest mosques in the world at the time of its construction. It has a rectangular floor plan, measuring approximately 239 by 156 meters. The mosque was surrounded by a thick outer wall with 44 semi-circular towers along its perimeter. The mosque and the archaeological city of Samarra have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their historical and architectural significance.

#Palestinian citizens in the #Gaza Strip performed Eid al-Fitr prayers on the ruins of mosques destroyed by the Israeli aggression, in the shelter schools to which they were displaced, and in public squares in the rain and cold weather.

#EidMubarak #EidAlFitr #Eid2024

جامع سامراء الكبير الذي يعود للفترة العباسية 848-851 م
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Great Mosque of Samarra
Location: Samarra, Iraq
Year: 848-851
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The Great Mosque of Samarra is a mosque from the 9th century CE located in Samarra, Iraq. The mosque was commissioned in 848 and completed in 851 by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil. At the time of construction, it was the world's largest mosque and could gather up to 80,000 faithful. It is known for its 52 metres (171 ft) high minaret encircled by a spiral ramp, the Malwiya Tower. The mosque is located within the 15,058-hectare (37,210-acre) Samarra Archaeological City UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 2007. The structure is composed by a large rectangle of almost 38,000 square metres with the 3:2 proportions typical of many mosques, enclosed in bastions walls 2.65m thick with forty-four semi-circular towers.
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أماكن العراق - IRAQ Places

Ortaköy Camii - Ortaköy Mosque

officially the Büyük Mecidiye Camii (Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid) in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, is situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus. This structure is symbolic of the district of Ortaköy as it has a distinctive view of the Bosphorus Strait of Istanbul and the Bosphorus Bridge. The mosque can be viewed from the Bosphorus Cruise that is famous among tourists, to go from the Asian side of Istanbul to the European side on a ferry boat.

History
Located on the site of the present-day Ortaköy Mosque, there previously was a small masjid. Built in 1720, it was ruined during the Patrona Halil Uprising in 1731. The current mosque, which was erected in its place, was ordered by the Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid and built between 1854 and 1856, on the ruins of the Cantemir Palace. Its architects were Armenian father and son Garabet Amira Balyan and Nigoğayos Balyan (who also designed the nearby Dolmabahçe Palace and the Dolmabahçe Mosque), who designed it in the Neo-Baroque style.

The single dome of the mosque was originally built using bricks. However, the dome developed cracks throughout time and was ready to collapse, so a new dome was reconstructed using concrete. In 1894, there was an earthquake that damaged the mosque, and it also suffered a minor fire in 1984. Thus, the structure has undergone a number of repair and restoration work in its time. Today, it is in fair shape.

Features
It consists of a two-story "sultan apartment" which has a "U shaped" plan, a main venue with a square plan which is covered with one dome. The "sliced facades" with mounting columns are "enriched" by carvings as well as relief, giving the mosque a "dynamic appearance". There are two rows of windows providing the main venue a "good illumination"

The mosque is "pint-sized" in comparison to other mosques "on the other side of the golden horn". The mosque was built in Neo-baroque style. In terms of the interior space, this mosque is modest in scale, though the inside is quite spacious with its wide, "high bay windows" which refract its reflection in water as well as daylight. Floral patterned frescoes adorn the inside of the singular dome, along with "niche-like" windows bordered by imitation curtains. Materials like marble were used to build the mihrab and minbar, pink mosaics were also used to decorate the Mihrab. The reconstructed dome was built from concrete, while stone was used to build the two, slim minarets.

There are also several panels of calligraphy executed by Abdülmecid I himself, as he was a calligrapher along with being a sultan.