since we are on the topic let me introduce you to Islamic architecture and design! (and bunch of educational info bc I got carried away)

so In the holy Qu'raan building/architecture is often mentioned. the first prophet, Prophet Adam, was the first builder of the Kaaba, then after it collapsed Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Prophet Ismail rebuilt it. This is modern day Kaaba.

as we could see from the layer covering the Kaaba, it has this golden calligraphy, which is a big part of Islamic design. Mosques and other places are often decorated with pieces with calligraphy in Arabic!

now let's get to mosques! one key aspect of mosques is minaret. Minarets are these high towers that are the highest point of the mosque. the call to prayers are done from these towers and in Muslim countries the call to prayer is so loud you can hear it to your house

Mihrab. they are these niche on the wall (of the mosque) they show the qibla (direction of prayer- which is to Mecca). they are this specific shape idk how to explain. they are round in the top.

Domes. they are usually above the main (biggest prayer hall). there can be multiple domes in a mosque! some say the round shape represents the sky/the vaults of heaven but i'm not too sure about that

Minbar. i don't know how to describe minbar but the imam (prayer leader) comes here and does ceremonies. their designs are pretty specific so here's few

those are the key elements I would say. now I'd like to show you bunch of beautiful mosques n their breathtaking architecture!

starting off with the iconic Al Haram Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. here Muslims come for their Hajj (pilgrimage). it's hugeee

Sultan Ahmed Mosque aka the blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. dare I say the MOST gorgeous mosque I've seen. it's so traditional yet so lavish. it's said that the person who builds a mosque gets a house in paradise so rich Muslim people participate in building/funding them!

Dome of the rock, Jerusalem. it's one of the oldest extant architecture works n most iconic mosques in Islamic history and it's known for the golden dome. it's located in Jerusalem which is in very hard political situation rn and I'm not sure if ppl have access to pray in it rn.

Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem

hope this helps

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi AKA The Prophet's Mosque, Medina (Saudi Arabia)

Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) grave is located here (4th picture) it's under the green dome. prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established this mosque when he escaped Mecca

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi (UAE). I've been begging to go see it. it's STUNNING! praying here with such large cloud must be amazing.

The Great Mosque Of Cordoba, Spain
Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba

so this one has a long history and isn't a mosque anymore. lemme brief: it was a (tiny) building shared by Muslims n Christians, then a grand mosque, then cathedral. why? because Muslim rulers moved to that area+

and this ruler, Abd Al-Rahman, bought the Christians part of the old building so he could renovate it to a grand mosque. that's why it has Islamic architecture. right know I believe it's a church.

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca (Morocco)

Ubudiah mosque, Kuala kangsar (malaysia)

Shah Faisal Mosque, Islamabad (Pakistan)
love looove the futuristic mosque design while still staying true to the core element

Qolsharif/Kul Sharif Mosque, Kazan (Tartastan, Russia)

this actually got destroyed by Ivan IV Vasilyevich aka Ivan the Terrible but got rebuilt n it looks great n even castle like!

you can visit many mosques if you are visiting the country, just remember to look into the dress code and be respectful!

Indo-Islamic Architecture has a lot of subcategories and is not only in Mosques! one famous subcategory is Mughal architecture created by the Mugahals in 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings that falls under that style.

Islamic architecture in Madrasa (school/collage). Ibn Yusuf Madrasa, Marrakesh (Morocco).

back in the days Mosques used to be not only community centered but schools, libraries and hospitals etc. currently mosques teach Muslim kids (n adults) about Islam and the Qu'raan on the weekends. hold charities, activities for the youth and other community centered stuff

also Western architecture takes a LOT of inspo from indo-Islamic styles. especially because Islamic architecture really plays a lot with geometrical shapes (like how there's so many half moon shapes).

if you have made it this far ily, than you for reading! hope this thought you something fun! it was so much fun to make this thread, it included 3 of my fave things history, Islam and architecture!! have a nice day/night!

UPDATE!! people can pray in it! https://twitter.com/ugHSunshinejk/status/1279441372773265408?s=20