In Pictures: The Dome of the Rock

[Jefferson23]

Intricate work goes into crafting the windows at the Dome of the Rock, one of the oldest Islamic landmarks in the world.

Dalia Hatuqa Last updated: 03 Oct 2014

East Jerusalem - The Dome of the Rock is one of the most memorable Islamic landmarks in the world, a place for solemn prayer and a refuge for those seeking respite. On any given afternoon, the sun shines through its stained-glass windows, casting vibrantly coloured shadows onto small groups of Quran reciters by the colonnades of this religious site.

One of the oldest works of Islamic architecture, the octagonal building, made of marble and glazed tilework on the outside, is in constant need of care. This delicate job falls solely on the shoulders of a small department - the al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock Restoration Committee - which is in charge of renovating and replacing the windows and roof for both sites.

Generally, the committee works with tile, marble and mosaics, but the windows specifically are made of wood, plaster [stucco] and stained-glass. "The stucco stained glass is used in qamariyyahs [skylights] and shamsiyyahs [windows]," said Bassam Hallak, a 59-year-old Jerusalemite, who has been heading the restoration committee for 34 years.

Differently shaped windows are inscribed - some with phrases from the Quran, others with arabesque motifs - and decorated with vegetal, floral and geometric shapes. The replacement windows are hand-made using simple tools, a process that can take between nine and 12 months.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2014/09/pictures-dome-rock-20149176582316339.html

[brer cat]

1. Breathtaking! Thank you Jefferson23. nt

[Jefferson23]

2. You're most welcome. n/t

[Krishna Vijaya]

3. This

article does not relate to the conflict. To learn about al Aksa mosque's role in the conflict, see: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/temple-mount-antiquities-destroyed-cultural-intifadah

[King_David]

4. But The OP is not about the Al Aqsa Mosque nt

[Jefferson23]

5. Reincarnated..that didn't take long. n/t

[The Magistrate]

6. Interesting Link, Sweetheart....

http://cnsnews.com/about-us

CNSNews.com was launched on June 16, 1998 as a news source for individuals, news organizations and broadcasters who put a higher premium on balance than spin and seek news that’s ignored or under-reported as a result of media bias by omission.

Study after study by the Media Research Center, the parent organization of CNSNews.com, clearly demonstrate a liberal bias in many news outlets – bias by commission and bias by omission – that results in a frequent double-standard in editorial decisions on what constitutes "news."

In response to these shortcomings, MRC Chairman L. Brent Bozell III founded CNSNews.com in an effort to provide an alternative news source that would cover stories that are subject to the bias of omission and report on other news subject to bias by commission.

[Krishna Vijaya]

7. Oh, boy.

Jefferson, as a proud Indian and Hinduist, I do believe we have all been reincarnated many times. As for Magistrate's claim, no one challenges that the mosque committed this crime against human civilization, destroying archeology, in order to hide proof of the Jewish history in the land.

See http://www.timesofisrael.com/temple-mount-project-yields-treasure-but-unearths-conflict/ stating

The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, the institution overseeing the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, carried out excavations on the Temple Mount between 1996 and 1999 as part of the construction of a subterranean mosque in an area known as Solomon’s Stables. Tens of thousands of tons of dirt — roughly 400 truckloads — were excavated by heavy machinery, without the supervision of archaeologists, and were dumped outside the Old City.

Barkay called the act a “barbaric thing” and “a crime against human civilization” and compared the Waqf’s actions to those of the Taliban in destroying the Buddhas of Bamiyan.

[The Magistrate]

8. None Of That Effects Your Choosing To Link To Brent Bozell's Site as Your Authority, Sir

Were I to press this very long, which I do not really expect to be able to, you would find me remarkably indifferent to any claims of holiness for any locale in that Devil's dance-floor at the east end of the Mediterranean....

[Krishna Vijaya]

9. This has nothing to do with holiness or religion

A crime against archaelogy, historians, and knowledge was committed by the religious folks running the mosque. All for the political purpose of hiding historical ties to the land.

[The Magistrate]

10. Personally, Sir, I Suspect You Are Being Preserved As A Chew-Toy

Citing Brent Bozell is a damned poor foot to start off on here....

"Nothing could possibly go wrong, and almost certainly not immediately."

[DanTex]

11. Hmm, Brent Bozell's website. This all seems very familiar.

Are you switching IP addresses with each new screen name?

[Jefferson23]

12. Same MO, I suspect..reincarnated. n/t

[Krishna Vijaya]

13. It is not very nice

to mock my Hindu belief in reincarnation. Yes, we really do believe, as silly as it appears to sound to you.

"According to Hinduism, a soul reincarnates again and again on earth until it becomes perfect and reunites." http://www.hinduwebsite.com/reincarnation.asp

[azurnoir]

14. absolutely lovely amazing stained glass work

Thank you for posting

[Jefferson23]

15. Stunning, I thought too..glad you enjoyed it.

[NaturalHigh]

16. Beautiful!

Thanks for posting this!