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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Discuss the way in which a hypostyle mosque was designed to support Islamic religious practices. What features in the mosque are significant for how the space is used? describe the floorplan of a specific mosque. Identify the mosque by its location.
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
Introduction:
A hypostyle mosque is a type of mosque characterized by a forest of columns supporting a flat roof. This architectural style has been used in mosque design since ancient times and has been utilized in many of the world’s most iconic mosques. The design of a hypostyle mosque serves to support Islamic religious practices, providing a space for worship, education, and community gathering.
Supporting Islamic Religious Practices:
The design of a hypostyle mosque serves to support various Islamic religious practices. Firstly, the mosque provides a space for daily prayers. The layout of the mosque is designed to accommodate a large number of worshippers, with rows of columns creating aisles that allow for easy circulation. Additionally, the flat roof of a hypostyle mosque provides a large open space for prayer, allowing worshippers to face Mecca while they pray.
Another significant feature in the mosque is the mihrab, a niche in the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca. The mihrab serves as the focal point of the mosque and is used to lead congregational prayers. Furthermore, the mosque also provides a space for education, with dedicated areas for teaching and studying the Quran.
Floorplan of a Specific Mosque:
As an example, the floorplan of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, can be described as follows. The mosque is a large hypostyle mosque that covers an area of 356,800 square meters and can accommodate over 1 million worshippers. The mosque is surrounded by a series of courtyards and is entered through multiple gates. The central prayer hall is surrounded by a forest of columns and is dominated by a large dome in the center. The mihrab is located in the wall facing Mecca, and the mosque also includes multiple minarets, used to call worshippers to prayer.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the design of a hypostyle mosque serves to support Islamic religious practices, providing a space for daily prayers, education, and community gathering. The floor plan of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca is an excellent example of this architectural style, demonstrating its effectiveness in accommodating a large number of worshippers while promoting a sense of unity and communal worship.
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