These days, we will study the onset of the Middle Ages Germanic kingdoms, the Byzantine Empire, Islam and the Carolingian Empire.

Here I present several videos, images and links to websites that can help them better understand the content we've made in class.
THE PARTS OF A MOSQUE
The mosque's name comes from the word masjid, which means a place where one bows down to worship Allah
The Qur'an makes it obligatory to pray several times a day, in private and in the direction of Mecca. But the custom of making a collective prayer once a week, particularly on Friday, led to the need to create a place for prayer of the whole community.
The key elements of the mosque are:
Haram (area covered) is the prayer hall is divided into parallel aisles, the central taller and wider. Is a forest of columns (pillared hall) on which support the arches supporting a flat roof. Inside Haram are distinguished:
• Quibla: wall facing Mecca, which indicates the direction to pray.
• Mirhab: directional open niche in the central axis of the qibla, decorated profusely. Makes the voice of the magnet to multiply and spread throughout the mosque.
• Mimbar: mirhab located near the pulpit, on the right. From there, the imam performs the reading and preaching of the Koran. Over time it becomes a symbol of authority, adding a canopy or dome.
• Kursi: richly decorated wooden stand with marquetry and inlaid on which rests the Koran.
• Dikko: appears to complicate the liturgy. It is a platform in the center of the mosque. They are located responding to the voice of the Imam and liturgical development spread the farthest.
• Maqsura: appears in the mosques of the great capitals. Is a closed and separated from the faithful to the Qiblah. There stood the caliph or dignitaries to pray and also protect against possible attacks. Usually covered with a dome of nerves.
• Sabbath: corridor connecting the mosque to the palace.
• Saquifa: gallery for women and even men in the small mosques.
Sahn (open area or patio). The Sahm or outdoor patio are:
• Sabil, power washing. Serves to spiritually clean before prayer, before entering the Haram. It usually appears covered by a pavilion at the center of the courtyard.
• Riwat: portico of arches surrounding the Sahm. Guarding the faithful.
• Minaret / Minaret: tower where the muezzin, or muezzin summons the faithful to prayer. In addition to spreading his voice throughout the city, testifying the presence of Islam in the conquered territories, so it was a symbol of the power of community. They are richly decorated and are generally square on a podium and ends at 2 or 3 story dome topped with a decreasing (Great Mosque of Kairouan). But there are also coiled like Samarra, reminiscent of the Mesopotamian ziggurats, or cylindrical, characteristic of Iran and Iraq.

Umayyad Mosque of Damascus

THE CALL TO PRAYER
One of the fundamental obligations of Islam is to pray five times a day. The muezzin, or muezzin muezzin is responsible for making the call to prayer or adhan five times a day. Listen to his call in this video and read what it says.