Online Reflection 7

LECTURE 5

This lecture taught me the principle of 'Urf. The architecture as ‘Urf refers to the custom or knowledge of practices in a particular society. It is a principle that respond to the local context that adopt into the islamic architecture design. ‘Urf is the diversifying principle that makes one building unique among each other.

The plan shows the society of Hausa that coverts the public zone of a house into mosque, image source from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ8iqn2z7kB8Izl8Wkgb2F4qoRQypvEzVBzK2eIRh8yqcgoK-vI_irXAZPmCJeX6ZU_Owy9FehmrarZVdBf4JW8ZKzknDOsEj99VObfDskSFWtZRhmEvq0r1o6ZY3qSNDn5i-pPKlEkhf/s1344/Slide7.JPG

The typical types of mosque are shaped up with large spaces together with dome structure that can be seen around the world. However, by having certain specific architecture language in a country, the mosque could turn up totally diverse but still retain the function as a mosque with 7 principle of islamic architecture.

Mosque in England that looks like office building due to local weather and it is enclosed, which is exactly different from the typical mosques that used to have a lot of openings and open spaces. Image dource from http://www.beautifulmosque.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/faizan-e-madina-mosque-in-peterborough-england.jpg

By integrating the principle of 'Urf into building design means that the building has adopted and utilized the unique architectural features derived from the locality to:

i) Provide comfort for users

ii) Encourage the community to enthusiastically accept a building with new function.

However, it is important whereby all these shall not conflict with the Sharia law of Islam.

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN CHINA

It is said that four of Prophet Mohammad’s followers were sent off to China along the marine Silk Road during China’s Tang Dynasty. One arrived in Guangzhou, one arrived in Yangzhou and two arrived in Quanzhou. Sa'ad ibn abi Waqqaas, a maternal uncle of the Holy Prophet Mohammad even traveled from Guangzhou to the Chinese capital city of Chang’an (present-day Xi’an) where he met Tang Dynasty Chinese emperor Gaozong who officially approved the practice of Islam in China. The Huaisheng Mosque (Mosque in Memory of the Holy Prophet) was the very first mosque built after Waqqas went back to Guangzhou. Huaisheng Mosque resembles some of the early Middle East architectural features of mosques.

Huaisheng Mosque, image source from http://www.islamichinatravel.com//images/stories/mosques/huaisheng%20masjid.jpg

Islamic architecture in China can be divided into the following categories: mosque architecture, architecture of Muslim sage’s tomb construction and madrasa architecture.

Before the introduction of Islam into China in 652AD, Chinese generally believed in Buddhism and Taoism. As a matter of fact, when the emperor Waqqas met in Chang’an believed in Taoism. In order to convert more Chinese to believe in Islam, mosques were constructed according to the layout of Chinese Buddhist temples or Confucius Temple with main buildings constructed on central axis, less important buildings were constructed on the sides; a mosque was normally formed by at least two or four courtyards. The best example of this style is Xian’s Great Mosque (built in 742). Since Kabba is to the west of China, unlike all the Buddhist and Confucius temples where central axis are south to north direction, the central axis of Chinese mosques were built east to west.

Xian's Great Mosque that responds to local context, image source from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/1_great_mosque_xian_2011.JPG

It was built assimilate to chinese temple in order to fit into local context. Image source from http://www.chinatourguide.com/china_photos/Xian/Attractions/hrc_xian_great_mosque_tower.jpg

Due to the geographical location of being much closer to the Middle East, Xinjiang which shares borders with Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Xinjiang mosques were profoundly influenced by traditional Middle East architectural styles. However, local Uyghur architectural styles can also be found at some of the mosques in Xinjiang such as Emin Minaret in Turpan.

Turpan Emin Minaret Mosque, image source from http://www.islamichinatravel.com//images/stories/mosques/emin%20minaret.jpg

Mosque in Beijing, image source from http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2008/11/24/4689niujie400.jpg

Sources from:

1) http://islamicarchitectureissoamazing.blogspot.com/2013/12/architecture-of-urf.html

2) http://www.islamichina.com/islamic-architecture.html

Extra information please check out:

1) http://islamic-arts.org/2012/great-mosque-of-xian/

2) http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/architecture/styles/chinese-islam-temples.htm