“Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims moving around the Kaaba, the black cube seen at center, inside the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Oct. 31, 2011.”

The Hajj, or Pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

“It’s dangerous to present modest dress and mannerisms as protection, when assault or oppression is not about clothing, and when clothing is used to restrict women. It’s unfair to believe that you cannot be modest, respectful or a scholar without hijab and to do so marginalizes people who are certainly sincere Muslims, brilliant, and hijabless. Hijab does not mean you’re chaste and sinless and everyone else is promiscuous. Society’s ills are not solved with a piece of cloth, but with education, attitude changes and support. Hijab should not be limited, nor limiting. We are not commodities. And it’s plain offensive to prefer a hijab wearer above anyone.”

I’ve started reading through this translation of the Qu’ran. From the Google Products description:

“This bilingual edition of the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam, was first published in the United States in 1988. Ahmed Ali, the distinguished Pakistani novelist, poet, critic, and diplomat, presents this elegant and poetic translation in a contemporary and living voice. On each page, the original Arabic and the translated English sit side by side, encouraging the reader to draw from both texts. Professor Ali also includes notes where necessary, providing the full meaning of each word and phrase. This accessible volume is truly essential for both scholars and followers of Islam.”

It’s an interesting read, for anyone enthusiastic for Abrahamic religions (you can find them used on Amazon for just $8, too).

touba:

Detail of the iwan of the Nasir al-Molk mosque in Shiraz, Iran.

The Great Mud Mosque of Djenne

Muslims in Djenne, Mali use the resources available to them in order to worship Allah as they see fit. This mosque is the largest, and therefore one of the most famous of the mud mosques in Africa. Every year the citizens of Djenne gather in a festival to re-plaster the walls of the mosque, repairing the damage caused by rainfall and humidity.

See Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Djenn%C3%A9

The Burqa is an enveloping outer garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions to cover their entire bodies (in many cases, this excludes the hands and eyes) in public places.