The Grand Friday Mosque is a relatively modern building housing an Islamic Centre. After removing our shoes we were allowed to view the walls that are decorated with beautiful woodcarvings and Arabic calligraphy.
Our excellent Port Lecturer had given a revealing insight to the Islamic religion and how it came about. In terms of what Islam values there is little that cannot be accepted by Christians. Like all those who seek to change the thinking of mankind Mohammed was treated in the early days of his teaching as a heretic and left Mecca to avoid persecution. He eventually returned but the experience of exile had created a certain amount of bitterness that is reflected in the later parts of the Koran and it is these later sections that are used to support the preaching of the extremists.
It is interesting to reflect that the Blue Mosque in Istanbul alternated between the Christian and Islamic religions. I must say that the visit to this Mosque today was very calming and one cannot but have regard for the respect and passion that they show for their beliefs. It has prompted me to learn and understand more about Islam.
No comments:
Post a Comment