Istanbul street food
Originally uploaded by Todor Kamenov.
23.6.07
Islamic art: Alhambra, Granada
Islamic art: Alhambra, Granada
Originally uploaded by Sir Cam.
More on the Islamic eight point star! This detail in stucco is from the Salon de Embajadores (Ambassador's Room) in the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. This is where the Muslim ruler received senior dignatories and is the grandest room with a high ceiling and stunningly decorated walls. It is also the most dimly lit room and as a result has preserved some of the colours. Again, you see all the three elements of Islamic art here: geometrical patterns, vegetal patterns, and Arabic calligraphy. The calligraphy is simple stuff and is just two words, literally, Help (top) and God (bottom). I'm of the view that perhaps no building in the world has the word God or Allah inscribed on it as many times as in the Alhambra. The last Muslims rulers of Spain, the Nasirids, were well aware of their position and, I think, decorated the Alhambra fittingly: imploring God for His help and protection. Everyone interpretes the Alhambra as royal palace, a secular place, but it is, I believe, a masterpiece of the Sufi artists and a significant piece of Islamic religious architecture and decoration. The Nasirids held on until 1492 and the years that followed saw the holocaust of Muslims in Europe. Today, the witch-hunt or Islamophobia continues in other guises.
Cambridge mums: An uphill task
Cambridge mums: An uphill task
Originally uploaded by Sir Cam.
Final one in the "Cambridge mums" series! A different kind of mum here. Saw this family in Pembroke College. Loved the way the chicks were going up the plank of wood. I didn't hang around to see them sliding down:-)
Queens' College, Cambridge: Red letter day
Queens' College, Cambridge: Red letter day
Originally uploaded by Sir Cam.
Letter box on the side of Queens' College, Cambridge.
Andalucia, Spain: Jabal Tariq
Andalucia, Spain: Jabal Tariq
Originally uploaded by Sir Cam.
This is a little distance in from the Andalucian coast near Estepona as you can see The Rock, Gibraltar, in the distance. The Muslim general Tariq bin Ziyad landed here in 711AD and Gibraltar is named after him: Arabic "Jabal Tariq" which is literally Mount Tariq.
Cambridge Suicide Sunday Girls: To die for?
Cambridge Suicide Sunday Girls: To die for?
Originally uploaded by Sir Cam.
I can't understand why people ruin my photo's by stepping right in front of me! Such an amazing street -- Trinity Street, Cambridge -- and such a brill line up of student bicyles and these chicks just mess it all up:-) Anyway, the year's over and it's time to chill. It was Sunday -- Suicide Sunday -- and these girls were just unwinding after the exams. However, they might be unwinding, but they wind up the boys:-)
Rome, Italy: New Mosque
Rome, Italy: New Mosque
Originally uploaded by Sir Cam.
Roma! An old shot (scan) of my visit to the new mosque in Rome. Here's my column on the trip:
www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_18-9-2002_pg3_5 . Here's an extract: "What makes this mosque special is the combination of Roman and traditional Islamic elements. A striking feature of the mosque is the palm tree-like columns, which are said to be reminiscent of the date palms of the first mosque in Madinah. The dendritic canopy also gives the impression of hands raised in prayer. In an article on the new mosque, James Steele explains that Portoghesi feels that there is no better symbol than the tree with which to express the diversity inherent in the unity of Islam. “The roots, trunk, branches and leaves of the tree, like the various countries in which Islam prevails, are all different, and yet work together as a complete organism"."
King of Malaysia
King of Malaysia
Originally uploaded by wazari.
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al Wathiqu Billah, Al-Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Al-Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Al-Haj (Center) is the 16th Sultan of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia, and the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or King, of Malaysia. He is the constitutional head of state of Malaysia.
16.6.07
EYUP SULTAN MOSQUE
EYUP SULTAN MOSQUE
Originally uploaded by ๑ єmåηєt Vdå ๑.
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is situated outside the Walls of Constantinople, near the Golden Horn, in the district of Eyüp on the European side of İstanbul. It was built in 1458 and is the first mosque which was constructed by the Ottoman Turks following their conquest of Constantinople (İstanbul) in 1453. The holiest site in Istanbul as well as one of the most sacred places in the Islamic world, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque was erected by Mehmet the Conqueror over the tomb of Halid bin Zeyd Ebu Eyyûb (known as Eyüp Sultan), the standard-bearer for the Prophet Mohammed as well as the last survivor of his inner circle of trusted companions. It is popularly accepted that while serving as commander of the Arab forces during the siege of 668 to 669, Eyüp was killed and buried on the outskirts of the city. One of the conditions of peace after the Arab siege was that the tomb of Eyüp be preserved.
Kuleli Military High School
Kuleli Military High School
Originally uploaded by ๑ єmåηєt Vdå ๑.
Kuleli Military High School is the first military high school in Turkey, located in Çengelköy, Istanbul. It was founded in September 21 1845 by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I, making it the oldest high school in Turkey as well.
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