Symbols of Islam

World events have awakened millions of outsiders to Islam's unique way of living life and viewing reality. A fresh introduction to Islamic culture explains these differences in terms of ways Muslims use the visual arts to facilitate understanding. Islamic symbols are employed to explain its history, beliefs, practices, and holy seasons and sacred sites. Included are the 99 names of God; the ban on depicting the human face; angels and demons; Allah and Satan; prayer, fasting, and pilgrimages. Careful, clear analysis of the most important Islamic symbols accompany illuminations of the Koran, details of prayer rugs, domestic objects, and architecture of mosques and pilgrimage sites, showing the diversity and profundity of Islam in a timely new light.

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A fresh introduction to Islamic culture uses the visual arts to explain the religion’s unique way of living life and viewing reality. Careful, clear analysis of these images accompany illuminations of the Koran, details of prayer rugs, domestic objects, and architecture of mosques and pilgrimage sites, showing the diversity and profundity of Islam in a timely new light.