bismillah was salamu alaykum. i think the new plans are interesting, but i notice that the "grand doors" will effectively remove at least two levels of "tawaf" space from the Haram. tawaf is often translated as circumambulation, but to understand the impact just realize that each tawaf circuit means moving in a continuous circle around the Kaaba.
right now during Hajj, but also during Umrah, one finds people making tawaf inside the masjid itself on the first, and second floors, or on its roof or in its basement in the most crowded times.
this new plan's greatest flaw in my opinion is its apparent impact on tawaf.
from a design perspective, i like the arches individually, and love the careful effort to maximize views of the Kaaba.
but the lines of arches look more to me like vertebrae, and the effect is not immediately to me of a person in sujud, as of some great beasts which came to a watering hole and died there. now only their bleached spines and ribs attesting to their presence.
from the sky, the structure, if it did replace the whole of the current Haram, would be much more like a beautiful flower. but as long as one can look at the profile, i for one would have to force myself to think "sujud."
i hope they make istikhara before they make any final decisions. :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Architectural Proposal for New Extension of Masjid al Haram
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Br. Nouman Gives Riddle To Qabeelat Hosna
that's right! Bayyinah Institute has teamed up with Al Maghrib to present beneficial knowledge to both student bodies, inshaAllah.
inshaAllah -- it is going to be a great class. make sure you sign up in take the class in Houston! :)
Friday, February 20, 2009
We're Going to Gaza - More From Viva Palestina
innalhamdolillah, wa bismillah. this is a convoy of good people, standing up for a just cause. may they find peace on the road ahead of them, and peace behind them. peace to the right of them, and peace to the left of them. peace above them, and may their way be paved with peace.
lol, Galloway said “Allaho Akbar.” may Allah guide him soon to say “la ilaha illAllah” with his whole heart.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Viva Palestina: Send Your Love to Gaza
May Allah give success to this mission of peace and mercy. May Allah keep these people safe. Let the despots who have terrorized Gaza with bombs, F-16s, missile strikes, naval bombardment, and land invasion -- let the Zionists take heed that the world is watching, and that the lives of Gaza are as precious to the world as any other lives.
