Mosques have functioned as holy houses and centralized places for Muslims to gather and pray since the birth of Islam. From Masjid al-Nawabi (also known as the Prophet Mohammed's Mosque in Medina), to Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, to Istanbul's Blue Mosque, an iconic architectural style based on functionality and religious symbolism has developed over centuries and across cultures.
The minaret, the typically tall spire that rises above the building, is the most famed feature of a mosque. The form allowed the crier (muezzin) to call the faithful to prayer (adhan). Other traditional components include the minbar and the mihrab, usually located side-by-side. The minbar is a raised platform from which the imam addresses the congregation. To the left of the minbar is the mihrab, a semi-circular niche that indicates the qibla, the direction towards Mecca, which Muslims face during prayers.
But Muslim scripture is vague when it comes to mosque design. The only rules are that the building must face Mecca and be "guarded from enemies", leaving experimental architects free to push boundaries and play with modern materials and new technologies.
Today's mosques play a vital role in community life, providing a sense of neighborhood solidarity and serving a wide range of everyday activities. New mosques include cultural hubs, religious schools and conference halls, while acting as ersatz community centers.
This expanded functionality affects new designs. A new mosque in Cologne will include secular shops and restaurants to draw in non-Muslims and feature a sports club, aiming to help lure young people away from drugs and gangs. The Gungahlin mosque in Canberra boasts computer labs. Plans for Cordoba House, a Muslim community center in New York, include inter-faith cooking classes and art, in addition to traditional prayer space.
Continuous advancements in technology, such as high fidelity speakers and microphones, replace the functionality of the minaret and the minbar. The call for prayer - which cannot be audibly broadcast in much of Europe and North America - by necessity must evolve. A mosque in Marseilles uses a minaret equipped with blinking lights to alert the faithful to prayer!
Modern mosques are attracting younger generations who feel a connection with contemporary design and expanded functionality. Take a tour of these modern marvels - some built, some under-construction, and some still on the drawing boards.
