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Similar to Christian church decorations, what are the wall of Muslim mosques covered with?

1) Depictions of Muhammad, God, and decorative floral patterns
2) Depictions of Jesus, Mary, and angels
3) Depictions of Buddha, Confucius, and dragons
4) Depictions of Hindu gods and goddesses

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The walls of Muslim mosques are typically adorned with geometric patterns, vegetative motifs, and calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur'an, rather than depictions of animate beings, which avoids idolatry according to Islamic belief.

Step-by-step explanation:

The walls of Muslim mosques are not covered with depictions of Muhammad, God, or any other animate beings, as this is generally considered to be idolatry in Islamic art. Instead, mosque decoration often features intricate geometric patterns, vegetative motifs, and calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur'an. Some of the most stunning examples of these decorations can be found on the qibla wall, which is the direction of prayer and is typically the most ornately decorated area in a mosque. This includes the mihrab, a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca, which is often surrounded by beautiful calligraphy and geometric design.

Other decorative elements include hanging lamps, which in the past would have been oil lamps and not just served a practical purpose, but also contributed to the aesthetic of the interior space with their carefully crafted designs. Mosques might also have domes or multiple domes, called qubba in Arabic, which are symbolic of the vault of heaven and often decorated with similar, complex patterns to inspire awe among worshippers.

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