Space, Kinship and Gender (ص 212)

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عنوان

Space, Kinship and Gender (ص 212)

المحتوى

Fig.6.2: Map showing the location of the village mosque
been an ancient church, constituted the northern boundary of the
communal saha (plaza). It comprised an important complementary
element in this male—dominated arena; plaza, guest-house and mosque.
In this communal place the community acted out a significant element
of its own religious identity. A strong sense of belonging to a
Muslim Community (ummat al-muslimin) was symbolized by the religious
ceremonies of the Friday prayer, as all male members of the community
stood before God as equals and for a common purpose. This was also
symbolized by its orientation towards Mecca, the centre of the
Muslim world.
In contrast to the majestic and finely elaborated buildings which
surrounded the village main plaza, the mosque of Deir Ghassaneh was
built out of rubble stones and was a very simple and relatively
insignificant looking building. The simple door which separated the
mosque's sacred domain from the profane saha outside, also contrasted
strongly with the elaborate arched gate of the sheikh's dwelling
(chapter 4)-
The mosque's rectangular structure itself also separated the village
saha from the mosque's courtyard. To the north of the courtyard lay
the mosque's well, which was used for ablutions by those preparing to
pray. As one entered the relatively dark interior from the two doors
facing north, one faced the direction of Mecca marked by the mihrab
(prayer niche), an arched recession in the southern wall. The
imperfectly rectangular space was roofed by four crooked cross vaults
201

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Space, Kinship and Gender

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المنشئ

Suad Amiry

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