Islamic Art & Architecture (Chapter 13) HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Rise of Islam: 622 (year 1 of Islamic calendar) Mecca becomes the religious center of Islam, Muhammad is their prophet Founder of Islam is prophet Muhammad, began preaching in 613 Muhammad exclaimed that there is only one God (Allah) and he is the chosen messenger to the people Indigenous Arabs were generally polytheistic Expanded into North Africa, the Middle East, parts of Spain, India and Central Asia by 7th century After Mongol sack of Baghdad in 1258, Islamic world was split in 2: East vs. West TIMELINE Muhammad Born in Mecca 570 Muhammad’s First Revelation 610 Five Pillars of Islam Muhammad’s Flight to Medina 622 Faith There is no God but God; Muhammad is his messenger Muhammad Dies in Medina 632 Prayer Salat–obligatory prayers said five times daily KEY IDEAS Charity Giving alms to the poor Most important building for Muslim worship is Fasting During month of Ramadan the Mosque. Important Great Mosques in Pilgrimage Hajj–trip to Mecca once in a o Damascus, Syria lifetime, some go yearly during o Kairoaun, Tunisia Ramadan o Samarra, Iraq o Cordoba, Spain Muslims pray toward city of Mecca, the holiest site in Islam (identified by a niche in the wall called a mihrab) The mihrab is a niche in the qibla wall Artworks include calligraphy and textiles adorned with arabesque and tessellating Islamic art and patterns (NO figures or animals depicted in architecture utilizes sacred art and architecture) ornate interlacing Calligraphy is most prized art form patterns called arabesque (interlacing vegetal VOCABULARY: Islam - Mosque – Muhammad – Qur’an (Koran) – Dome of the Rock motifs) and tessellations – 5 Pillars – hypostyle prayer hall – mihrab- imam - minbar - qibla – minaret - (intricate geometric arabesque – tessellation – squinch patterns) .