APAH P.2
Google Classroom READ & WATCH Response: BYZANTIUM & ISLAM
Response 1: Hagia Sophia / Byzantine Empire From its grand beginnings, as the “seat of Christianity” at the start of Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia has seen many faiths, as well as tragedies. After the Hagia Sophia’s first mysterious destruction, it was rebuilt by Constantine’s son, Constantinius II in 360 CE to serve as magnificent cathedral for the city. Again in 532 CE the Haiga Sophia was destroyed, and again rebuilt, this time by Emperor Justinian, into the structure that still stands today. After the Ottomans came into power, Sultan Mehmet II, rededicated the Hagia Sophia to Allah and converted it into a Masque- one of the last stages of its long …show more content…
Salat is closely related to Hajj in that they both deal with the Kaaba and Mecca. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca and Kaaba, at least once in a person’s life during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Mecca, and specifically the Kaaba are so important to Muslims because of Abraham, Muhammad, and the angel Gabriel. It is believed the prophet Abraham and his son constructed the Kabba, which was later cleansed of pagan idols by Muhammad and houses the Black Stone that is believed to have been a gift from the angel Gabriel to Muhammad. Lastly Muhammad made a final “pilgrimage” to Mecca and the Kaaba the year of his death, which established the tradition of pilgrimage and gives Mecca and the Kaaba the religious power it holds today. The Great Mosque of Cordoba, in Spain is extremely similar to the Hagia Sophia in the way that they both were used by various cultures for various faiths, The Great Mosque of Cordoba just like the Hagia Sophia first served as a church and then was converted into a masque, both these structures still show the influences of the two