Download The Middle East Cradle of Culture and Center of Conflict

Cultural Landmarks of
the Middle East
As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam...that
carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for
Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim
communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools
of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how
disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic
arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant
calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.
President Barak Obama
June 4, 2009
Mosques with minarets
Located throughout western Asia
and north Africa.
A mosque is a Muslim temple of worship.
A minaret is a tall spire from which a mullah calls the
faithful to prayer.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem.
Site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
Holy Islamic site where Mohammed journeyed into
heaven to receive wisdom.
Inside the Dome of the Rock Mosque.
Muslims believe that Mohammad ascended to
heaven from the rock with the Angel Gabriel.
Jews believe that the same rock was the stone upon
which – according to the Bible -- Isaac was bound
when God tested Abraham.
The Western Wall, Jerusalem
Remains of the Temple of Solomon in
Jerusalem. Jewish holy site.
The Western Wall, Jerusalem
Jews praying in front
of the Western Wall.
The Hagia Sofia, Istanbul, Turkey
A huge cathedral. Later used as a mosque.
Now a museum.
The Hagia Sofia, Istanbul, Turkey
Pronounced: “Hi ya Sofia.”
“Hagia Sofia” means Holy Wisdom.
The Hagia Sofia, Istanbul, Turkey
• Construction began in
A.D. 532.
• It was the largest
cathedral in the world until
A.D. 1520.
• Famous for its massive
dome.
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem.
Possible site of the birth of Jesus.
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem.
Possible site of the birth of Jesus.
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem.
Possible site of the birth of Jesus.
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem.
Possible site of the birth of Jesus.
The Kaaba,
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
• A sacred stone building located in the Main Mosque in
Mecca.
• It is the holiest site in Islam.
The Kaaba,
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
A temple that – according to the Koran – was built by
Abraham and his son Ishmael as place for monotheistic
worship.
The Kaaba,
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Inside the Kaaba,
The Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
When Mohammad conquered Mecca he destroyed idols near
the Kaaba and then entered the building and ordered all
pictures to be destroyed.
The Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
• Muslims face toward Mecca and the Kaaba when they pray.
The Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Pyramids in Egypt
Tombs/monuments for the Pharaohs.
Pyramids in Egypt
• Construction of pyramids in
Egypt began about 2,630 B.C.
• There are over 200.
• The Great Pyramid in Giza is
478 feet tall. It was the tallest
man-made structure in the world
for over 3,200 years.
• All Egyptian pyramids were
built on the west bank of the Nile
River. Ancient Egyptians
associated the setting sun with
the realm of the dead.
Pyramids in Egypt
Tombs/monuments for the Pharaohs.
Bazaars (suqs)
Large markets, often with hundreds of vendors.
Located throughout the Arab world.
Bazaars (suqs)
The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey
Bazaars (suqs)
The suq in Aleppo, Syria
Bazaars (suqs)
An open-air suq in Morocco. Suqs are a traditional
market in SW Asia and North Africa.
Oil rigs
• Oil rigs can be found
throughout the Middle East.
• Oil is the most abundant and
valuable resource in the region.
Oil rigs
Oil rigs
Saudi money pictures an oil rig.
Prayer rugs
Used by Muslims to kneel and face Mecca
when they pray five times a day.
Prayer rugs
“There is no God but Allah
and Mohammad is His
Prophet.”
Prayer rugs
Islamic Calligraphy
The art of writing.
Islamic Calligraphy
The art of writing.
Calligraphy was the
primary means for
preserving the Koran.
A page from a 12th Century Koran.
Islamic Calligraphy
A mother of pearl
plaque.
Islamic Calligraphy
Examples of Religious
themed diverse art.
Stained Glass:
King David-Jerusalem.
A Byzantine mosaic (the art of decoration
with small pieces of colored glass, stone or
other material)
-Istanbul Turkey.
Muslim architecture is detailed and
symmetrical (everything is balanced)
• Language: Arab world – Arabic –
largest of the Semitic languages in this
area.