Mohammad al-Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut dominates the landscape
Just like churches dominate the European landscape, Mosques take the honor in the Middle East. During my travels in the Middle East this winter I had the chance to visit a few and photograph some of them. I was rarely let inside the mosques to do photography, but when I was it was a special treat. I had to go ‘under cover’ in cloak and head-cover which was often provided to me. In fact, sometimes I was only allowed to go to the women’s prayer area and not allowed to set foot in the main prayer hall. Regardless I found these mosques interesting and exotic and many were ornate beyond the imagination. Here’s a few of my favorites from Lebanon, Jordan, and a past trip to Egypt.
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A small village mosque near Feynan in Jordan
View from Mohammad al-Amin Mosque womans prayer room hidden away above the men
Mosque in Salt Jordan
The Koran displayed in the woman's prayer room
Muhammad 'Ali Mosque Cairo - the view from the floor
The ornate golden ceiling of the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque in Beirut
Sunset over the West Bank in Jordan perfectly silhouettes this small village mosque
Inside the ornate Mohammad al-Amin Mosque
The green dome of the Saida mosque in Lebanon
Religious mixture - Mohammad al-Amin Mosque and church in Beirut
By Connie March 25, 2011 - 9:25 am
There is something about mosques, perhaps the looming minarets, that I just adore! They are absolutely gorgeous and I love seeing them, especially in the skyline, which is one of the reasons why I loved living in Istanbul so much!
By Barbara Weibel March 26, 2011 - 1:28 pm
Oh what a feast for the eyes! I had a similar experience in Penang, Malaysia, where they dressed me in a burkah and let me walk to the edge of the main prayer hall to take photos, however I wasn’t allowed to set foot inside. But it wasn’t half a stunning as the ones you got to photograph.
By Debbie Beardsley March 26, 2011 - 1:36 pm
These pictures are beautiful. You are right, Mosques are very exotic. I especially loved the lights in the view from the floor picture and the ceilings! Simply beautiful.
Thank you for sharing these.
By Abigail March 26, 2011 - 4:18 pm
Wow these are just gorgeous. The best thing about any type of religious buildings is the attention to detail.
By Mark H March 26, 2011 - 9:26 pm
I love the architecture of mosques, grandly built with those sweeping minarets.
By Theodora March 27, 2011 - 11:42 pm
It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful Islamic art is, despite — or because of? — the constraints on depicting the natural world. Lovely shots.
By T-roy April 14, 2011 - 2:20 pm
Sherry you photography is getting so damn GOOD! I so like the first photo and the 7th photo really tricked my eye (loved it), as it made me stop for a minute and really think about how you took that photo. Such a different perspective and tricked the eye! 🙂
By Sherry April 15, 2011 - 12:07 am
Thanks so much! It’s amazing how much your style changes when you actually shoot every day! Plus the middle east was so photographic…a joy to be there with my camera!
By Rebecca April 17, 2011 - 7:22 am
More fabulous photos Sherry!
By Marisol January 24, 2012 - 5:13 pm
Hi Sherry,
Your photos are amazing. I particluar love your image of Muhammad ‘Ali Mosque Cairo. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
Marisol
By Sherry January 25, 2012 - 3:24 pm
Thanks for the feedback! I think mosques are beautiful and very fun to photograph when they let you!
By Majida May 9, 2013 - 9:52 am
Really like your introduction, love the pictures, my favorites are the ones of the mosque in Egypt. It is a shame, that you were not allowed to set a foot into the main halls of some mosque – a potential to work on! 🙂 going to a mosque or church, try to cover/go as modestly as possible