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Group Presentation 7-14-09
1. Mosquée de Paris and the Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue By: Aviva Yaghoobia Sina Bonabi Maral Parsian Ben Barmaan
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Hinweis der Redaktion
Maral: This picture is from when we approached the Mosquée from Rue Daubenton and Rue Georges Desplas. The white and turquoise colors are very typical of Muslim architecture and art work.
Maral: This is the main entrance of the Mosquée on Rue Georges Desplas. Many visitors think the main entrance to the Mosquée is the entrance to the Café. However, the two entrances are separate. This entrance is very typical of a mosque – wooden doors, intricate artwork with mosaic tiling, and the obvious presence of the crescent and the star. The star and crescent motif historically originated from the Sassanids. According to H. Ayatollahi, "Sasani coins remained in circulation in Moslem countries up to the end of the first century [ Hijra ] . This detailed description of Sasani crowns was presented because the motifs mentioned, particularly the crescent and star gradually changed into Islamic symbols and have often appeared in the decorative patterns of various periods of Islamic art."
Maral: When we entered the main doors, we were in a lobby area that overlooked into the courtyard. The attendee in the lobby was very friendly. Although not everyone was Muslim by faith in our group of four, Aviva and I were both dressed in the appropriate head scarves and we are all of Middle Eastern descent. The attendee asked where we were from and proceeded to let us enter the courtyard. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the courtyard and garden because of religious reasons. This courtyard is very unique because most mosques are indoors without any outdoor aspect. This courtyard was so beautiful with intricate landscaping, fountains, and artwork.
Maral: After exploring the courtyard and appreciating the landscaping, Aviva and I walked to the women’s prayer room. Since we went in the late afternoon, the group prayer wasn’t occurring, so the prayer room was empty. In mosques, men and women have separate prayer rooms in ordinance of the rules of the Quran.
Maral: Aviva and I are wearing head scarves and covering our arms and legs, following Islamic rules. Muslim women are supposed to cover their hair and body. The hijab has emerged as a symbol of Islamic consciousness.
Maral: After seeing the women’s area, we walked over to the men’s area. At first, Aviva and I were very self conscious about entering this area. Although the group prayer time was finished, we still did not want to be disrespectful. We went into the court area where there is a fountain in the middle. As instructed in the Quran, Muslims must be clean while praying. Using water, Muslim perform “wudhu.” According to Shiite Muslims, wudhu is done according to the instructions of Allah (God) given in the Quran: “O you who believe! when you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you are under an obligation to perform a total ablution, then wash (yourselves) and if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy, or you have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith, Allah does not desire to put on you any difficulty, but He wishes to purify you and that He may complete His favor on you, so that you may be grateful.”
Maral: This sign said that visitors are prohibited from entering the prayer room.
Maral: Outside the men’s prayer room, we found patron’s shoes. As a sign of respect and cleanliness, all Muslims take off their shoes before entering the prayer room.
Maral: A man praying in the direction of Mecca, Saudia Arabia (qibla) towards the north-east.
Maral: While exploring the lobby, I found this interesting set of instructions of how to pray. Prayer is performed five times a day: at dawn (fajr), noon (dhuhr), in the afternoon (asr), at sunset (maghrib) and nightfall (isha’a). The main purpose of prayer in Islam is to act as a person’s communication with God. Prayer in congregation or “jama’ah” is considered to have more social and spiritual benefit than praying by oneself. This is one of the main purposes of the presence of mosques, for Muslims to congregate and pray together
Maral: Next to the prayer instruction sheet was a clock with all the five prayer times for that day.
Maral: Here we made a quick stop at the Café de la Mosquée after our visit inside the mosque. We drank traditional sweet tea. The café had a variety of patrons and had a very nice atmosphere.
Aviva: This is the entrance to the Agoudas Hakehilos synagogue which is located in the Jewish quarter (the center of the Jewish Orthodox community in Paris) on Rue Pavee.
Aviva: This is the Star of David (or in Hebrew called Maghen David ) which is seen on the exterior of the temple. It is recognized as the symbol for Judaism.
Aviva: After we entered the synagogue, all four of us met the rabbi. We explained that we were doing a project and he told us to take a look around. The synagogue was empty since it was Friday afternoon right before Shabbat services began. In the center is where the bimah is located. This is the platform where the rabbi and various religious leaders read the Torah and conduct services.
Aviva: This is the ark which is located behind the bimah and is where the Torah scrolls are kept. Members of the congregation pray facing the ark. Below is the table where the leader of the services stands while reciting prayers.
Aviva: The menorah is a lamp used as a reminder of the eternal light in the Temple of Jerusalem. Besides being found inside a temple, the menorah is also used during the holiday called Hanukkah.
Aviva: Since this is an Orthodox synagogue men and women sit separately. Men pray on the ground floor, while the women are located on the first floor. In synagogues there are usually physical barriers so that men and women do not see each other in order to allow each individual to focus on directing their prayers to G-d.
Aviva: This is the upper floor where the women are seated. On the left hand side, a row of prayer books are available to pray from.
Aviva: This is a daily Jewish prayer book which is called Siddur in Hebrew.
Aviva: As the only male Jew out of our group, Ben was approached to put on tefillin soon after leaving the synagogue. Teffilin are two leather boxes that contain specific lines from the Torah. These boxes are wound to one’s forehead, left arm and fingers by leather straps and worn during morning prayers. The tefillin are traditionally worn to represent the time when G-d brought the Jewish people out of the land of Egypt.
