Abstract
This paper explains that, in the Shah Faisal Mosque (or Masjid), one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, the Qiblah wall is very beautifully decorated with glazed tiles. The dome of the mosque has a huge golden crescent on it, the grand chandelier is spellbinding, and beautiful reflection pools add to the beauty of the mosque. The author reports that he was surprised to see that there are not any seats in the mosque, which is very distinct from a church. All Muslims sit on the floor, using a prayer mat, and are treated as equals in the mosque and in prayer. The paper reports that no one talked during the prayers because, during prayers, they are supposed to be facing God and praying to Him; no one made any prayer movements before the Imam finished his.

From the Paper
"There is a wall inside the mosque called the Qiblah. This is where the wall faces the city of Makkah. All mosques have the Qiblah. It lets people know that they are standing in the right direction to pray to God. I also found out that the minaret is a symbol of olden times. They were made so that people could hear the call of prayers called the azaan. There is a crescent moon on the dome, which indicates the direction of Makkah."

Tags:women, qiblah, prayer, equality, mausoleum

Abstract
This paper discusses Stephen Kinzer's 2003 book "All The Shah's Men An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror". The author points out that it is an account of the 1953 coup engineered by the CIA that installed the Shah of Iran in power for 25 years until the 1979 revolution.

From the Paper
"This book puts the twenty-first-century condition of the United State sand the Middle East into historical perspective. It helps explain the origin ..."

Tags:Shah, Iran, Mossadegh, CIA, Cold, War, Antony, Eden

Abstract
This paper will discuss the Great Mosque of Cordoba, Spain. The Mosque will be described in detail in an architectural sense and will then be evaluated on its importance to Spain in a historical sense to understand the level of pride the people of this country take in this monument to their culture. Also discussed will be the influence of this mosque on architecture in the region and how this building can be differentiated from other religious structures, such a churches and other mosques that are in the area. 8

Abstract
This paper explains that despite the Koran's strictures against sumptuousness and grandeur, the mosques are built with opulence and splendor. The author points out that early Islamic art offers a striking contrast to Christian art and architecture by the avoidance of religious symbolism found in Christian churches and art. The paper relates an additional feature of the Great Mosque at Samarra: the ziyadas, an outer enclosure or extension common to early Islamic mosques which surrounds the structure on the north, east and west sides but not on the qiblah wall (the wall in the direction of Mecca which Muslims face in prayer).

From the Paper
"On the north side of the Great Mosque stands a single, large minaret, a lofty tower surrounded by one or more projecting balconies from which the summons to prayer is cried by the muezzin. Yet with this particular minaret, the builders decided to shape it in the form of a ziggurat, a stepped, truncated pyramid based on Assyrian architecture reminiscent of ancient Mesopotamia. But the minaret at Samarra was most probably inspired by a certain kind of spiral tower of unknown purpose found in Sassanid, a dynasty of the Persian kings of the third to the seventh centuries in present-day Iran."

Tags:christian, minaret, ziyadas, qiblah, sun-baked-bricks

Abstract
In this article, the writer describes that the visit to the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge was a fascinating and enlightening experience. The writer explains that, while there, it was possible to learn about some of the practices and history of Islam, and to experience how a mosque can be such a haven for worship and the Islamic community. The writer points out that this visit to the Mosque was an eye-opening experience, during which many new things were learned. The writer concludes that if more people took an interest in exploring the diverse cultures that make up the country, there would be more understanding and possibly less struggles with race, religious differences and gender friction.

From the Paper
"Literally translated the word Qur'an means "recital." It is written in 114 chapters, or sutras, and contains exactly 6,000 verses. Unlike the Bible, which has been translated into multiple languages for the purpose of worship, the Qur'an is felt to be genuine and hold any authority only in the original language with which the Angel Gabriel recited to Muhammed and Muhammed penned the book, and that is Arabic. Even Muslims who are not Arabic learn, memorize and recite the Qur'an in Arabic.
The Qur'an explicitly states that there are Five Obligations of Islam. These are often referred to as the Five "Pillars" because these are the five elements upon which the whole of Islam is founded."

Tags:Muslims, worship, Allah, Qur'an

Abstract
Discusses the evolution of Mosque architecture in Fatimid Cairo and early North Africa. Describes the mosque as a place for regular, communal prayers, instruction, and observation of Islamic rituals.

From the Paper
"The evolution of the architecture of the mosque can be understood as representing the evolution if many of the central tenets of Islam itself, though all mosques (regardless of their location ..."

Abstract
This paper examines how Stephen Kinzer's book, "All the Shah's Men", is a factually and literarily excellent account of the stealth-styled, underhanded work of America's Central Intelligence Agency along with the not-so-sly subterfuge of the British. It looks at how Kinzer's book exposes through detailed accounts the decision by the Dwight Eisenhower Administration - along with Britain's Secret Intelligence Service - to basically restructure the leadership of a sovereign state, Iran. It discusses how his book focuses on the CIA and its power to interfere with another nation by forcibly installing a dictator that will be friendly to the United States. It also looks at various critiques of the book.

Outline:
Introduction
Review & Critique of "All the Shah's Men"
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Mossadegh also had supported women's rights, he had stood up for a person's right to observe whatever religion he or she wished to, and he did not meddle with the courts. Those progressive policies won hearts in Persia during his administration. On July 21, labor leaders issued a call for a "general strike" in opposition to Qavam (the man whom the Shah had wanted to replace Mossadegh because Qavam would be the most cooperative with the Shah) and in favor of Mossadegh, who was "...the only popular choice to lead the national struggle," the "National Front" leaders insisted. If Mossadegh had wanted to, Kinzer continued on page 141, he could have simply dumped the Shah, "proclaimed the end of the Pahlavi dynasty," and established a republic - authorizing himself to serve as president."

Tags:Central, Intelligence, Agency, cia, Mossadegh

Abstract
This paper evaluates a particular set of Canadian media that constructs the notions of 'Canadian-ness'. The sets of media chosen for this evaluation is the CBC-made series called "Little Mosque in the Prairie" that has generated a media buzz both here in Canada and in the United States. The series will be examined in terms of how it represents 'a Canadian', but also how it speaks about race, ethnicity as well as gender. Furthermore, the essay examines the portrayal of 'cultural differences' as well as the idea of multiculturalism.

From the Paper
"This paper will evaluate a particular set of Canadian media that constructs the notions of `Canadian-ness'. The sets of media chosen for this evaluation is the CBC-made series called "Little Mosque in the Prairie" that has generated a media buzz both here in Canada and in the United States. The series will be examined in terms of how it represents `a Canadian', but also how it speaks about race, ethnicity as well as gender. Furthermore, the essay will examine the portrayal of `cultural differences' as well as the idea of multiculturalism. These concepts are presented, interpreted and understood."

Tags:canadian, ness, stereotypes, representation

Abstract
The paper first discusses the beliefs and ideology of the author's religion, Roman Catholicism. The paper then examines the author's experience at the Islamic mosque and gives a detailed description of what the author witnessed. The paper also discusses the beliefs and teachings of Islam and explains the author's thoughts and feelings on the experience.

From the Paper
"The First Pillar of Islam is faith, which is best demonstrated by the repetition of the creed known as Shahadah, something which most of the worshippers were quietly reciting to themselves as they spoke with others in the mosque. All devout Muslims repeat this affirmation of faith on a daily basis, which explains why so many of the worshippers were reciting in Arabic "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah." I was also told that these words are often the first spoken to a newborn child or the last words spoken by one who is dying. Although reciting the Shahadah is very important, the faith, which it expresses, is the central concern."

Tags:islam muhammad quran kabah, jesus christ, roman catholicism, virgin mary

Abstract
This paper describes the unique mosques in Kairouan and Djenne, Africa. It begins by discussing the characteristics of the mosque, in general. It then outlines the characteristics of what makes these mosques important to Africa's domestic architecture and compares their designs. Finally, the paper also looks at the African culture that is evident behind their designs.

From the Paper
"Construction of the current mosque started in 1906 and finished in 1907. The mosque's mud-brick construction leaves it vulnerable to weather and is annually being repaired by senior masons of Djenne. The walls of the mosque range from sixteen inches to twenty-four inches thick. The walls insulate during the day and at night store enough heat to keep the mosque warm. The roof is lined with ceramic pipes to direct the water away from the walls. There are three main towers of the Djenne mosque - each tower is capped with an ostrich egg to symbolize fertility. The materials used for building the Djenne mosque signify the elements found throughout all Islamic architecture. They portray the aesthetics of local materials used by the Djenne peoples for centuries. The qibla of the mosque is dominated by three large box-like minarets. Each box juts out from the main wall and has eighteen buttresses. Each minaret contains a spiral staircase leading to the roof where one can replace the ostrich eggs when needed."

Tags:sacred, minaret, culture, qibla, mihrab