TRAV N BOOK : T36. Masjid Around the World

Take note of Pulau Wan Man (Wan Man Island). Just who is this Wan Man? It has nothing to do with Wide Area Network ok. I consulted Wikipedia but couldn't get a good answer.

The truth is, Pulau Wan Man is where Taman Tamadun Islam (Islamic Civilization Park) is located, one of the many attractions in Kuala Terengganu (KT). This is where you will find the scaled-down replica of all great and unique mosques around the world including The Dome of the Rock next to masjid al-Aqsa.

Finding the Park with WAZE is quite easy, it only took us about 15 minutes from the Hotel we stayed at.

Is that a bird?

We saw also a machined-bird, I mean motorized glider making its round above us.

Just after the entrance, you will see the DOME of the ROCK, quite big to be called a miniature. It is rather scaled-down replica than a miniature.

Some Terengganu symbol.

This is the second roundabout, already inside the Park vicinity.

As you reach the first roundabout, you have two options of either going to the Park or to the Masjid Kristal (Crystal mosque). We took the first exit towards the Park.

The main building where the River Cruise starts.

River Cruise straight ahead.

There is also river cruise service located at the main building with the rate table enlarged below. It was rather hot day, I would say extremely hot that we decided to skip the cruise and headed towards the entrance of the Park.

Park's entrance.

Check the ticket price folks!!

Now you have passport.

The entrance fees into the Park is just RM20 per head, and they give you passport as the entrance ticket. One stamp as you enter, another when you exit.

WELCOME

Just like what the pamphlet says, Welcome. We will look into the scale-down replica of the masjid one by one. This will be tedious, so hang on.

Cycling is a good idea for tourists with family.

At the crossroad, where to start?

1. Masjid Kul Sharif, Russia

Since there will be many many masjid, only the one seem uniqued will be elaborated. Further reading can be done by consulting Mr. Google I suppose.

2. Kaylan Minaret, Uzbekistan

It is worth describing further about this masjid. You will see only the minaret to this masjid but the reality is that the prayer hall is located at the base of this minaret.

The minaret was built by the Qarakhanid ruler Mohammad Arslan Khan in 1127 to summon Muslims to prayer five times a day. The actual minaret is 45.6 metres (149.61 ft) high (48 metres including the point), of 9 metres (29.53 ft) diameter at the bottom and 6 metres (19.69 ft) overhead.

Compare with my height.

Compare with actual photo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalyan_minaret

3. Great mosque AGADEZ, NIGER

Another unique masjid made of clay that has minaret with sticking out wood. Again the prayer hall is at the base.

A tourist snapping away.

Scary at night?

4. Suleyman Mosque, Turkey

Looks gigantic.

This mosque was built by Sultan Suleyman which begun construction in the year 1551. It blended the Islamic and Byzantine architecture. It also has the influence of the Dome of the Rock.

This is one of the reasons for our ambition of visiting Turkey in future.

The interior. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCleymaniye_Mosque

Actual size on site.

A short break at the masjid Al-Hambra. Unfortunately this masjid is UNDER REPAIR.

5. Al-Masjid An-Nabawi, Madinah

The masjid that have been built by the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. is located in Medina. It served as a community center, a court, and a religious school.

It is located in what was traditionally the center of Medina, with many hotels and old markets nearby. It is a major pilgrimage site where many pilgrims who perform the Hajj go on to Medina to visit the masjid and like any other masjid, is open for service all day, all year round.

6. Masjidil Haram, Mecca

Kurma tree.

I can safely say that every muslim will have the ambition to come to Mecca for Hajj or Umrah. There are just too many photo of the real Masjidil Haram, so here I have the photo from different angle.

7. The DOME of the ROCK, Jerusalem

This is really the highlight of our visit to this park. A little history about the Dome of the Rock.

The Dome of the Rock is located at the visual center of a platform known as the Temple Mount.

The location of the Dome of the Rock is the site of the Islamic miracle of the Isra' and Mi'raj. Caliph Omar ibn al Khattab (579-644) was advised by his associate, Ka'ab al-Ahbar, that the Night Journey (Isra' and Mi'raj), which is mentioned in the Quran and specified by the hadiths of being located in Jerusalem, took place at the site.

According to some Islamic scholars, the rock is the spot from which Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel. The hanging rock was the one where the Prophet stood and left hanging behind.

Visitors are allowed to enter the Dome but was not allowed to take picture. We only realised this after having snap few shots.

View from different angle.


Actual picture for comparison. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock

8. Masjid Samarra, Iraq.

Another unique masjid enhancing the minaret with the hall at the base.

It is called The Great Mosque of Samarra, which was at one time the largest mosque in the world. The minaret, the Malwiya Tower, is spiralling cone 52 meters high and 33 meters wide with a spiral ramp.

Again, the picture above is for comparison. Check the size of human being. [source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Samarra ]

Tired and waiting for the train.

9. Taj Mahal, Agra

From afar we could see one familiar construction.

Another well-known mausoleum, Taj Mahal. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, Turkish and Indian architectural styles.

One question was asked by my wife, was Shah Jahan muslim? You bet.

10. Aeppo Citadel, Syria

I found this citadel replica to be interesting and I knew there must be some history about this place. I quote here the description from wikipedia.

"The Citadel in its present form today, is situated on a mound which has an elliptical base with a length of 450 metres (1,480 feet) and width of 325 metres (1,066 feet). At the top this ellipse measures 285 metres (935 feet) by 160 metres (520 feet) with the height of this slanting foundation measuring 50 metres (160 feet). In the past, the entire mound was covered with large blocks of gleaming limestone, some of which still remain today.

The mound is surrounded by a 22 metres (72 feet) deep and 30 metres (98 feet) wide moat, dating from the 12th century. Notable is the fortified gateway, accessible through an arched bridge. This feature was an addition from the Mamluk government in the 16th century. A succession of five right-angle turns and three large gates (with carved figures) leads to the main inner castle entrance. Particularly interesting in the interior are the Weapons' Hall, the Byzantine Hall and the Throne Hall, with a restored decorated ceiling. Prior to the Syrian civil war, the citadel was a tourist attraction and a site of archaeological digs and studies. The amphitheater was often used for musical concerts or cultural events.

In August 2012, during the Battle of Aleppo of the Syrian civil war, the external gate of the citadel was damaged after being shelled during a clash between the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Army to gain control over the citadel.

During the conflict, the Syrian Army used the Citadel as a military base, with the walls acting as cover while shelling surrounding areas and ancient arrow slits in walls being used by snipers to target rebels."

Sad of what is happening now in Syria.