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What we learn from looking at the mosque constructed by Prophet Mohammed (ﷺ)
is the importance of the mosque and its linking between faith and the daily life of citizens and the community.
Its role included many religious, social, political, administrative and cultural functions.
It became a model and template for all Muslim civilizations across the world.
by Prof. Sami Angawi
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Al-Nassir Mohammad ibn Qalawun Mosque Lamp
Written in thulth script, the name of Sultan Al-Nassir Mohammad ibn Qalawun is inscribed alongside verse 35 of Sura 24
of the Holy Qur’an: “Allah is the Light of the Heaven and the Earth.”
This mosque lamp originally hung inside the school attached to Cairo’s Qalawun complex in Cairo.
Egypt or Syria, 1304
Glass, gilded and enameled
Height: 34cm, depth: 20cm
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 313
Written in thulth script, the name of Sultan Al-Nassir Mohammad ibn Qalawun is inscribed alongside verse 35 of Sura 24
of the Holy Qur’an: “Allah is the Light of the Heaven and the Earth.”
This mosque lamp originally hung inside the school attached to Cairo’s Qalawun complex in Cairo.
Egypt or Syria, 1304
Glass, gilded and enameled
Height: 34cm, depth: 20cm
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 313
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Dome of The Rock Tile
This hexagonal tile originally date to the 16th century restoration of the exterior walls
of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem by the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent.
Jerusalem, 16th century
Fritware painted under glaze
Diameter: 16cm
ITHRA 2019.0049 & 2019.0050
This hexagonal tile originally date to the 16th century restoration of the exterior walls
of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem by the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent.
Jerusalem, 16th century
Fritware painted under glaze
Diameter: 16cm
ITHRA 2019.0049 & 2019.0050
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Alem (Finial)
Makkah, 17th century
Hammered copper
Loan from Museums Commission, Saudi Arabia 2476
Makkah, 17th century
Hammered copper
Loan from Museums Commission, Saudi Arabia 2476
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Makkah Tile
Originally placed into a wall of a mosque, this tile depicts the Holy Sanctuary of Makkah with the Ka’ba at its center.
Probably made to commemorate a pilgrimage to Makkah, this tile bears the name of its owner Muhammad Agha,
, who may have commissioned the mosque from which this tile originally belonged.
Egypt or Turkey, 1663
Fritware, painted under glaze
35cm x 38cm
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 3251
Originally placed into a wall of a mosque, this tile depicts the Holy Sanctuary of Makkah with the Ka’ba at its center.
Probably made to commemorate a pilgrimage to Makkah, this tile bears the name of its owner Muhammad Agha,
, who may have commissioned the mosque from which this tile originally belonged.
Egypt or Turkey, 1663
Fritware, painted under glaze
35cm x 38cm
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 3251
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Portable Mihrab
Cairo, 1154
Carved, painted and joined wood
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 446
Cairo, 1154
Carved, painted and joined wood
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 446
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Painting of the Three Holy Mosques
In addition to depicting the three holiest mosques of Islam: Makkah, Medina and Jerusalem- there are other unidentified sites,
including mosques and cities, on the left and bottom sides of the painting.
Egypt, 1865
Opaque watercolour on paper
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 357
In addition to depicting the three holiest mosques of Islam: Makkah, Medina and Jerusalem- there are other unidentified sites,
including mosques and cities, on the left and bottom sides of the painting.
Egypt, 1865
Opaque watercolour on paper
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 357
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Berber Minbar
Berber, Morocco, Middle Atlas Mountains, 18th century
Painted cedar wood joined with iron nails.
Ithra Museum 2019.0060
Berber, Morocco, Middle Atlas Mountains, 18th century
Painted cedar wood joined with iron nails.
Ithra Museum 2019.0060
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Page from the Dala’il al-Khayrat
India, 18th century
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper.
Ithra Museum 2019.0001
India, 18th century
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper.
Ithra Museum 2019.0001
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Foundation Panel
Egypt, 17th century
Ceramic, underglaze-painted
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 4578
Egypt, 17th century
Ceramic, underglaze-painted
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 4578
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Window
Egypt, Late 17th or early 18th century
Stucco and stained glass
Height: 131cm, width: 65cm
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 1/386
Egypt, Late 17th or early 18th century
Stucco and stained glass
Height: 131cm, width: 65cm
Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 1/386
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Foundation Stone of the Prophet’s Mosque Mihrab
Medina, 1484
Stucco and stained glass
Carved marble
Loan from Museums Commission, Saudi Arabia 1-03-1-000802
Medina, 1484
Stucco and stained glass
Carved marble
Loan from Museums Commission, Saudi Arabia 1-03-1-000802
