Burj Khalifa is the largest “megatall” skyscraper in the world, standing at an astounding 828 meters (2716.5 feet). It serves as the centerpiece for downtown Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up its country, and was designed by Adrian Smith, then representing Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It was under construction from January of 2004, until December of 2009, finally opening its doors on January 4th of 2010. The building is an embodiment of Islamic architecture, incorporating both cultural and historical elements of the region into the visage of the building. This style was chosen very deliberately, meant to enrich the, at the time, recently developed downtown Dubai. The building has since received widespread international attention for various reasons. Some laud the records that the building shattered and the many awards it has received, while others commend the manner in which it has elevated the city of Dubai.
The Dubai government decided to build the Burj Khalifa as a way to diversify their economic portfolio. Their economy had long been based solely on oil and they decided that they wanted to generate more interest and international recognition for Dubai, thus increasing tourism and overall improving the emirate’s economy. The skyscraper served its purpose and drew a lot of additional interest towards Dubai, receiving many awards. For example, the Burj Khalifa is recognized as the tallest existing, or ever built, free standing structure. It is also the building
The “Dome of the Rock” is a true testament to Islamic art. From interior to exterior, it exemplifies Islam’s view of itself. Within the dome, mosaic friezes encompass the earliest written text of the Qur’an. The glass mosaics represent the gardens of Paradise and trophies of Muslim victories, which illustrate vine scrolls and trees in the use of turquoise, blue, and green. The octagonal arrangement is enclosed by two concentric ambulatories. The upper portion of the external dome was also covered in glass mosaics. Above all, the true external focal point is the light that falls on the beloved rock, symbolizing the passage of Muhammad to the heavens.
I had the privilege to conduct field research at the Abu Bakr Masjid, also known as the Islamic Center of San Diego on Friday, October 9, 2015. I attended both salat al-Maghrib and a lecture given by Imam Sh. Taha Hassane. Salat al-Maghrib is the “West sun” prayer which takes place five minutes after sunset. Salat al-Maghrib started around 6:37 p.m. Imam Taha Hassane’s lecture started at 7:00 p.m. and ended at 8:01 p.m. before the last prayer of the day: salat al-‘Isha’a. Imam Taha Hassane was already waiting for me outside of the mosque. The first matter he explained was that it was considered proper to enter the masjid (mosque) with my right foot first and exit with my left foot first. Furthermore, I was also explained that in order to enter the prayer hall, I needed to be in a state of ritual purity. This purification consists of ablutions, called wudu’, which involve the washing of the feet, hands, head and face. Once I completed the ablutions, Imam Taha Hassane instructed me to take off my shoes in the designated cabinets in the hallway. This is primarily done to ensure that no outside dirt would violate the sacred space. At Abu Bakr Masjid, like in many other mosques around the Muslim world, genders are separated—men pray in the main prayer hall while women pray upstairs in a separate prayer room. When I asked why, Imam Taha simply explained that it was a matter of modesty and concentration.
By the 6th century a Germanic tribe called the Visigoths, converts to Arian Christianity, had established themselves as the aristocratic elite. The Christians built many monumental basilica-plan churches. The Santa Maria de Quintanilla de las Vinas, Burgos, Spain and San Juan de Banos de Cerrato are two such churches that still remain today. In the beginning of the 8th century Islamic Muslims conquered Spain and ended Visigothic rule. They constructed militaristic and religious architecture including castles, watchtowers, rock castes, the Great Mosque, and the Red Palace. The remaining Christians adopted some of the Islamic styles and soon built upon a new style that ended up
The Islamic civilization spread to encompass such an extensive empire by using their resources and becoming a peaceful civilization with peaceful people.
"The World," a series of 300 islets laid out to resemble a map of the world. These manmade islands will also offer tourists beach real estate and extensive opportunities for leisure.1° Finally, the emirate has begun work on a structure that is set to become the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai. The exact height of this edifice is a closelyguarded secret.'' Another facet of Dubai that visitors quickly take note of is the city's shoppingoriented culture. The city contains numerous malls, many of which offer stand-alone outlets for upscale
The modern university does manifest itself in the Islamic world. The Golden Age of Islamic culture traces its roots back to the modern university. Throughout Islamic history, education was a point of pride and a field Muslims have always excelled in. The Islamic world was rich, diverse, and creative. Muslims became founders of the most major accomplishments in the world which later leads to western and world civilizations. The Muslims were most advanced in many fields such as mathematics, art, medicine, literature, and astronomy. It also led the way into the development of libraries and universities.
Next, my mother told me this mosque is the biggest one, and the second religious buildings, also it has the tallest minaret in the world. This mosque has a roof made of light steel, and decorated with cedar wood which opens in 3 minutes for bringing fresh air during the summer. Also, this mosque has many chandeliers made in crystal. The location of this mosque is right by the sea overlooking the Atlantic ocean,
On October 2014, the One World Trade Center opened. The Architects that built the building were Skidmore, Owing & Merril. The One World Trade center is the tallest building of the new World Trade Center Complex. It is 104 stories high which is 1,776 feet high, symbolizing the year America became independent. The cubic base of the One World Trade Center is similar to the Twin Towers. This skyscraper has roughly 49,000 cubic yards of concrete, which is enough to pave 200 miles of New York City’s sidewalks.
The Islamic culture had a very specific way in which they make the invisible, visible. In
I have to admit that we are very blessed with so many beautiful and breathe taking cities in the world. Dubai is just one of the many countries which has advanced from their humble beginnings and today are multi million tourist. Dubai is another city which has moved from having not as much as other countries once did such as money and a stable economy, to one of the richest cities in the world. In 1966 oil was discovered in Dubai and was a catalyst for Dubai’s economic growth. From a country that had come from not having a stable economy and not a lot of money, it has become like I said earlier, one of the richest cities in the
Maqsud of Kashan, carpet from the funerary mosque of Shaykh Safi al-Din, Ardabil, Iran. On page number 158 and figure number 5-15. This piece of art work is one of two special carpets woven for a funeral service of a wealthy royal Islamic individual. The main theme would have to be for honoring the dead or death. It also could be a theme based on cultural identity of the deceased. The style is of Persian influence on the Islamic artist. The form of this art work is a rectangular rug made from wool and silk. The design has a sunburst center that represents the inside of a dome. The woven carpet has an illusion of a heavenly scene with beautiful flowers and leaves floating about what appears to be water. There is a unique perspective within the carpet using two lamp shades that would appear from the side that has the smaller lamp that the two are of the same size, but in reality one is much smaller than the other. The subject of this art work is a medallion carpet from art of the Islamic world. This specific detail has been noted as if the designer purposely created a flaw because he believed that only God could create perfection. The flowers and leaves about the blue background symbolizes the heavens. The texture of this carpet would be a smooth wool texture. The carpet included a short poem describing who commissioned the art work and it reads as follow; Except for thy threshold, there is no refuge for me in all the world. Except for this door there is no
According to the Islamic calendar the Great Mosque was established in the year 50 by the Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi. The Great Mosque is considered one of the most important mosques in Tunisia, as well as in the Islamic world because it’s one of the oldest places of worship and it represents a remarkable example of Islamic architecture. The Great Mosque was one of the masterpieces of both architecture and Islamic art at that time and it still till today. historians state that the mosque was destroyed and rebuilt many times and in different
The Hagia Sophia church and the Suleymaniye mosque are separated by a thousand years but are tied together eternally. One representing the achievement of the Christian-Byzantine empire and the other representing the ability of the Islamic-Ottoman empire and its architect Sinan. Two empires that had very little in common other than their architecture and region. In earlier history the Dome of the Rock represented the Islamic empire's attempt to rival the newly defeated Byzantine empire and its architectural achievements such as the Holy Sepulchre. As history often repeats itself, with similar political motives the Suleymaniye mosque became the Ottoman's answer to the
Khalifa Tower skyscraper located in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Burj Al Khalifa is the highest building built by man and the tallest tower in the world at altitudes of 828 meters. Began construction in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates September 21, 2004 was the completion of restructuring of State in the first of October 2009, and formally opened on January 4, 2010, to become the world's highest building immediately replace the Taipei 101 in Taiwan
The Taj Mahal is a prime example of India’s rich culture. A mix of Indian, Persian and Islamic characteristics, the two decade long project is a renowned “Wonder of the World” that boasts an emotional and romantic history; it was built by Emperor Shah Jahan of the Mughal era in a splendid tribute to his deceased wife. To this day, the Taj Mahal continues to be a famous landmark and cherished piece of Indian art.