During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, many Muslims spend more time in Mosques in contemplation & prayer. Mosque ceilings are designed to reflect the magnificence of the universe.
For Ramadan, here are spectacular details of 24 Mosque ceilings from around the world…
1/ The ceiling of Shah Mosque in Tehran, Iran
Built to the order of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar of Persia during the Qajar period, as one of several such symbols of legitimacy for the new dynasty. Construction started in 1810 & completed in 1825.
2/ The ceiling of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Naqsh-i Jahan Square, Esfahan, Iran
Construction of the mosque started in 1603 & finished in 1619. Built by the chief architect Mohammadreza Isfahani, during the reign of Shah Abbas I of Persia. Beautiful interior dome details.
3/ The ceiling of Al-Askari Mosque, Samarra, Salah al-Din Governorate, Northern Iraq
Built in 944 it is a Shia Muslim mosque & mausoleum in the Iraqi city of Samarra 125 km from Baghdad. It is one of the most important Shia shrines in the world & is decorated in tiles.
4/ The ceiling of Jami Mosque, Andijan, Uzbekistan
Construction of the madrasah began in 1883 & lasted 7 years. It has fretwork of wooden columns supporting a ceiling decorated with bright patterns made of a combination of geometrical ornaments & vegetal elements.
5/ The ceiling and dome interior of Mosque
6/ The ceiling of Jameh Mosque, Yazd, Iran
The 14th-century mosque is still in use today. It was first built under Ala'oddoleh Garshasb of the Al-e Bouyeh dynasty. It was largely rebuilt between 1324 & 1365. The ceiling was built like a porch in the heart of the desert.
7/ The ceiling of Tokyo Mosque, (東京ジャーミイ), Ōyama-chō district of Shibuya ward in Tokyo, Japan
The largest mosque in Japan. Originally built in 1938 the current building was completed in 2000. It was designed by Hilmi Senalp in Ottoman architecture style.
8/ The ceiling of Bolo Haouz Mosque, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Built in 1712, on the opposite side of the citadel of Ark in Registan district. Thin columns made of painted wood were added to the frontal part of the iwan (entrance) in 1917.