Philippine Islamic Arc. hitecture Notes

Philippine Islamic Architecture

Islam in the Philippines

  • Oldest recorded monotheistic religion.

  • Second largest religion, approximately 5.1 million followers.

  • 94% of Muslims reside in Mindanao.

History of Islam in the Philippines

  • Islamization of Southeast Asia began between the 8th and 9th centuries.

  • Arab traders sought asylum in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian lands.

  • In 1380, Karim Al Makhdum established Islam in Sulu Archipelago.

  • SIMUNUL, TAWI-TAWI, SULU: Cradle of Islam in the Philippines

  • SHEIKH MAKHDUM MOSQUE: First mosque in the Philippines

  • Contributing Factors for the Spread of Islam:

    • Conversion of community leaders

    • Attraction to rituals, stories, and art

    • Feeling of belonging to a larger community

Islamic Beliefs & Practices

  • 5 Pillars of Islamic Faith:

    • SHAHADA: Profession of faith

    • SALAT: Prayer

    • ZAKAT: Alms-giving

    • SAWN: Fasting

    • HAJJ: Pilgrimage

  • QURAN / KORAN

    • Central religious text

    • Believed to be the literal words of Allah

    • Inscriptions are written in Arabic

  • SHAHADA

    • Islamic creed professing faith.

    • Two parts:

      • "There is no god but Allah"

      • "Muhammad is God’s messenger"

    • Recitation is required to convert to Islam.

  • TAWHID

    • Means “Unity in Allah”

    • Everything originates from the one creator.

  • SALAT

    • Obligatory prayers, five times a day.

    • Times are measured according to the sun. Ritual washing called WUDHU is required before prayer.

  • ZAKAH

    • Obligatory alms-giving, 2.5% of wealth each year.

    • SADAQAH: Voluntary charity

  • SAWM

    • Fasting during Ramadan.

    • SUHUR: Meal before fasting

    • IFTAR: Breaking of fast

  • HAJJ

    • Pilgrimage to Mecca.

    • Each Muslim must make a pilgrimage once in their life.

    • Muslims must circle the Ka’aba 7 times

  • KA’ABA

    • Square structure in Mecca.

    • Draped in silk and cotton.

    • Muslims face Mecca when praying.

Islamic Places of Worship

  • LANGGAL

  • MASJID

Langgal

  • Means “to meet”

  • Traditional mosque of Moro tribes.

  • TAUSUG & YAKAN-langgal; MARANAO-ranggar

  • Accommodates a small group of worshippers.

Masjid

  • Arabic term for mosque.

  • More permanent and bigger than the langgal.

  • Conduct Friday prayers with sermons and two Muslim festivals.

  • Early forms are situated near bodies of water.

  • Traditional masjid changed due to:

    • Deterioration of materials

    • Demolition or destruction by natural causes

    • Influence from Islamic buildings in the Middle East

Parts of Masjid

  • MINARET: Tower where prayers are called.

  • ABLUTION FOUNTAIN: Wash/wudhu area.

  • MIHRAB: Niche facing Mecca.

  • MINBAR: Pulpit.

  • DIKKA: Tribune for Quran recitation.

  • KURSI: Raised chair for Quran recitation.

  • KORAN CALLIGRAPHY: Ornament on Muslim structures.

  • OTHER ELEMENTS OF MASJID:

    • QUBBA

      • Symbolic representation of the vault of heaven.

      • Onion-shaped; octagonal base symbolizes spirit, four-sided base refers to earth.

    • HILAL

      • Crescent moon.

      • Importance of the moon in their lunar calendar.

    • prayer rug

      • Symbolizes cleanliness during prayer

      • usual design includes a mihrab or arch pointing to the direction of Mecca