*There are around 80 Masjids in Japan, many of them relatively small. The country’s biggest place of Islamic worship is Tokyo Camii, which has space for around 1,200 worshipers. Come with us as we pay a visit to this magnificent Ottoman-style masjid in the heart of the Japanese capital. *
<http://www.nippon.com/en/files/c01301_ph02.jpg> *The minaret of Tokyo Camii against the backdrop of the Shinjuku skyline (right). From this arched balcony (left), the muezzin makes the call to prayer (“azan”).* *In the heart of a quiet residential area in Yoyogi Uehara, just a short distance from the bustling city-center hotspots of Shinjuku and Harajuku, is a building whose towering minaret and impressive dome make it stand out from the surrounding architecture.* *This is Tokyo Camii, the largest masjid in Japan, built in impressive Ottoman style. The English word “mosque” and its cognates in other European languages derive ultimately from the Arabic masjid, meaning “place where one bows one’s head.” Masjids can be found throughout Japan’s major cities—a fact that in itself is likely to come as a surprise to most Japanese people, who remain largely unaware of these pockets of Islamic culture thriving in their midst.* *“Camii” is a Turkish word derived from the Arabic “jami,” and refers to a central “congregational masjid”—a major masjid where people gather for Friday prayers, the most important of the week. Tokyo Camii, the largest masjid in Japan, is architecturally similar to the famous Blue Masjid in Istanbul.* *Apart from water, concrete, and steel, all the building materials and furnishings used in the masjid were brought from Turkey. Around a hundred Turkish artisans worked for a year to build the second-story masjid itself and the cultural center downstairs. The building itself is a work of art.* <http://www.nippon.com/en/files/c01301_ph03.jpg> *In the morning and early afternoon, the sunlight comes streaming through the stained glass windows, enveloping the interior of the masjid in an atmospheric light. Because of strict prohibitions against idolatry, the masjid depends on Arabic calligraphy and geometric designs for its interior decoration. The dome represents the wide expanse of God’s created universe*. <http://www.nippon.com/en/files/c01301_ph04.jpg> *A verse from the Koran in Arabic calligraphy*. <http://www.nippon.com/en/files/c01301_ph05.jpg> *In many Turkish-style masjids, the roof of the dome is inscribed with Arabic calligraphy depicting the names of God (Allah), the Prophet Muhammad(SAWW), and his four successors.* <http://www.nippon.com/en/files/c01301_ph06.jpg> *According to Islamic tradition, there are 99 names for God. These include “Al-Muhyi” (The Giver of Life); “Al-Khaliq” (The Creator), and “Ar-Rahman” (The Exceedingly Compassionate). The holy “most beautiful names” of God are written in beautifully flowing Arabic calligraphy on the walls of the mashids. In front of this is the mimbar, the pulpit from which the imam delivers his sermon to the faithful during Friday prayers.* <http://www.nippon.com/en/files/c01301_ph07.jpg> *Muslims are supposed to pray five times a day. The most important prayers take place early on Friday afternoon, when large numbers of people attend the masjid. The faithful prostrate themselves in the direction of Mecca. The Muslim style of prayer, with everyone on the same level, symbolizes that all people are equal in the eyes of God, regardless of race or social status. Women pray in a separate section of the masjid.* _ *".... I am the KING to my own UNIVERSE that Rule my MIND, BODY and SOUL!!! ...." * ** *- Aga Madjid -* -- -- you have this email because you join to "aga-madjid" GoogleGroups. to post emails, just send to : [email protected] to join this group, send blank email to : [email protected] to quit from this group, just send email to : [email protected] please visit to www.facebook.com/aga.madjid, add my Yahoo Messenger at [email protected] or add my twitter @aga_madjid thanks for joinning this group. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "aga-madjid" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
