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.

Explore Istanbul: A City Where East Meets West in Turkey!

Discover Istanbul, a vibrant metropolis that straddles two continents, offering a rich tapestry of culture, history, and architecture. This unique city, formerly known as Constantinople, serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia and is known for its captivating blend of Eastern and Western influences.

Visit iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia mosque, masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has stood as a church, a mosque, and now a museum. Explore the majestic Topkapi Palace, the sprawling complex where sultans once ruled. Wander through the bustling Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of shops offering everything from spices to intricate jewelry.

Stroll along the Bosphorus Strait and enjoy the scenic views, dine on delicious Turkish cuisine, and soak in the rich history and dynamic atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city. Whether you're exploring ancient sites, enjoying local coffee in quaint cafes, or watching the sunset over the skyline, Istanbul promises an unforgettable experience.

#IstanbulTurkey #TravelTurkey #CulturalCrossroads #HistoricCities #discoveristanbul

The Dolmabahçe Mosque is a baroque waterside mosque in Kabataş in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey, close to the Dolmabahçe Palace. It was commissioned by Queen Mother Bezmialem Valide Sultan and designed by the Turkish Armenian architect, Garabet Balyan in 1855. After his mother's death, Sultan Abdülmecid saw the building work through to completion.

The Sepetçiler Pavilion is one of the coastal pavilions of the Topkapı Palace.

#Ottoman sultans used to watch the navy's departure or return from the Sepetçiler Pavilion.

The sea walls that protected Topkapi #Palace were built by the #Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II, and the Sepetçiler Pavilion was also built right on the city walls.

The construction of the pavilion was started during the reign of Sultan Murad III towards the end of the 16th century.

Photo: @‌mahmutsiner

Topkapı palace Holy relics
Items used by Hazrat Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam
Bless your timeline.

Istanbul Türkiye

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.

The Old City of Sanaa in Yemen is one of the oldest cities in the world, continuously inhabited for more than 2500 years. Meaning 'fortified palace', the city is a work of art in itself, & remains one of the greatest treasures of Arabia
A thread on the Old City of Sanaa…

The UN's top court is set to hold hearings on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, with an unprecedented 52 countries expected to provide evidence.

The Palestinian state will be the first to speak in the week-long sessions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), starting on February 19.

Omar Awadallah, head of the UN Organisations department at the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, said: "We want to hear new words from the Court.”

Among other nations, the United States, Russia and China are expected to address judges at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

In December 2022, the UN General Assembly asked the ICJ for a non-binding "advisory opinion" on the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem."

While any ICJ opinion would be non-binding, the case comes amid mounting international legal pressure on Israel over its war on Palestine’s Gaza following the October 7 attacks.

The hearings are separate from the high-profile case lodged against Tel Aviv by South Africa, alleging that Israel is committing genocidal acts in Gaza.

Israel is not participating in the hearings and reacted angrily to the 2022 UN request, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it "despicable" and "disgraceful.”

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was welcomed with an official ceremony at Al-Ittihadyiya Palace in Cairo, met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt.

Türk modası etkisiyle inşa edilen cami; Schwetzingen.

Yapı, 1766 yılında Bavyera Dükü Karl Theador’un isteği üzerine, sanatta Türk modası anlamına gelen ve çok ilgi gören “Turquerie” akımından etkilenerek saray mimarı Nicolas de Pigage tarafından tasarlanıyor. Cami, Baden-Württemberg eyaletindeki Schwetzingen ilçesinde Schwetzingen Sarayı’nın bahçesinin doğu kısmında Türk Bahçesi (Tüsrkisches Garten) adıyla anılan ayrı bir bölümde yer alıyor.

Caminin iç mekânı, sütunlar ve nişlerle bölünmüş dairesel bir orta alandan ve sekizgen kat planından oluşuyor. Kubbenin oturduğu tambur, küpten dairesel bir planla yükseliyor. Dışta köşelerin içbükey girintisi, içte ise revak nişlerinin üzerinde birleşen kubbenin kaideleri de iyonik sütunlarla dengeleniyor. Mihrap görünümü verilmiş nişler üzerindeki hilal ve sarık süslemeleri yer alıyor.

Arapça karakterlerde, neredeyse tüm panellerde ünsüzlerin noktalamasında ve Arap dilinin seslendirilmesinde hatalar olduğu dikkat çekiyor. Yazıları uygulayan sanatçının Arapça konusunda yetkin olmadığı ve yazıyı matbû orjinallerden uyarladığı biliniyor. Yapı şu an herkese açık bir müze olarak kullanılıyor.

İlk Görsel: Wikipedia
Fotoğraflar ve inceleme yazısı ✍🏻 : Ayşe Ayşin Korkmaz

Schwetzingen, built under the influence of Turkish fashion. The building was designed by the palace architect Nicolas de Pigage in 1766 at the request of Duke Karl Theador of Bavaria, influenced by the “Turquerie” movement, which means Turkish fashion in art and attracted much attention. The mosque is located in a separate section called the Turkish Garden (Tüsrkisches Garten) in the eastern part of the garden of Schwetzingen Palace in Schwetzingen district in the state of Baden-Württemberg.

In Arabic characters, it is noticeable that in almost all panels there are errors in the punctuation of consonants and in the vocalisation of the Arabic language. It is known that the artist who applied the script was not competent in Arabic and adapted the script from the printed originals. The building is currently used as a museum open to the public.

#arkitekt #camii #almanya #schwetzingen #diniyapılar