User:Kathouis/Umayyad Mosque

Minaret of Qaitbay[edit]
The Western Minaret (Arabic: مئذنة الغربيّة, Mi'dhanatu 'l-Gharbiyyah) is also known as the "Minaret of Qaitbay" and built by Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay in 1488. He commissioned it's renovation due to the AH 884/1479 fire. The Western Minaret displays strong Islamic-era Egyptian architectural influence typical of the Mamluk period. The minaret is octagonal in shape and is built in receding sections with three galleries. It is generally believed that both the Minaret of Jesus and the Western Minaret were built on the foundation of Ancient Roman towers (temenos).

Architectural Elements Inside the Mosques
The designs on the mihrab are heavily ornamented. In the image there are geometric designs layered in stone. The columns are long, wide and are designed with muqarnas which is common to see in mosques. The mosque is composed of marble, mosaic and stone material. The image also contains Thuluth which is a type of Arabic calligraphy. Calligraphy is an integral part of Islamic Architecture because there is a heavy influence on the word of Allah and the religion practices aniconism.

Establishment and construction[edit]

The mosque was richly decorated. A rich composition of marble paneling covered the lower walls, though only minor examples of the original marbles have survived today near the east gate. [edit] Al-Walid also ordered for any open spaces to be designed with mosaics. This choice paved a way for how mosaics could be done because it was never made on a scale as huge as that and on the outside. The mosque resembled the power of the Umayyads as they were beginning to make a name for themselves across the region. At the right angle, light will illuminate the mosaic and make it shine beautifully. Beauty was power and many dynasties showed that through their elaborate designs and architecture.