What to see in Rome? Italy Muslim friendly destination Rome its a spectacle, may not be the capital of the world these days, but it is still one of the most amazing historical cities in the world. The Muslim presence in Italy dates back to the 8th century when the island of Pantelleria (Sicily) was conquered by the Arabs. They were strong in this lands until the 12th century; even though, a small Muslim community survived at least until 1300 in a place called Lucera. In times of Muslims, agriculture in Sicily prospered and became export oriented and the Arts and crafts flourished as well. Palermo, the Muslim capital of the island, had 300,000 inhabitants an exhorbitant number by that date. Nowadays there are 1.400.000 Muslims in Italy, the majority are Sunni, with a Shi'ite minority. Mosque of Rome The Mosque of Rome is located at the foot of Mount Antenne, in the Parioli neighbourhood, inaugurated in 1995 this is the only Islamic temple in Rome and the largest Mosque in Europe too. The Mosque is equally beautiful both in its interiors and exteriors. It has been designed by the Iraqi architect Sami Mousawi and the Italian architect Paolo Portoghesi. The outcome is a fascinating architecture made of repetitious designs and amazing geometric patterns, where an important role is played by the light aimed to create a meditative atmosphere and several tricks of light as well, such as the different temperature of light between the two main sections of the Mosque: the warmer and the colder. Beautiful mosaics creating more optical effects and the floor is covered by an extremely soft Persian carpet with geometrical patterns as well. There is a curious feature regarding the height of the minaret, the only one in the world lacking loudspeakers for calling the faithful to prayer, since during construction a limitation on the height was
What to see in Rome? Italy Muslim friendly destination Rome its a spectacle, may not be the capital of the world these days, but it is still one of the most amazing historical cities in the world. The Muslim presence in Italy dates back to the 8th century when the island of Pantelleria (Sicily) was conquered by the
Brussels A friendly Destination for Muslim Travelers Islam in Belgium is the second largest religion in the country. Muslims constituting 23.6% of the population in Brussels. Here our recommendations about what to see in Brussels. The Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre The Great Mosque of Brussels is the oldest mosque in Brussels. It is located in the Cinquantenaire Park. It is also the seat of the Islamic and Cultural Centre of Belgium. The original building was designed by architect Ernest Van Humbeek in an Arabic style, to form the Oriental Pavilion of the National Exhibition in Brussels in 1880. At that time the pavilion housed a monumental painting on canvas: “Panorama of Cairo”, by the Belgian painter Emile Wauters, which enjoyed major success. However, lack of maintenance in the twentieth century caused the building to deteriorate gradually.thIn 1967, King Baudouin lent the building to King Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz of Saudi Arabia. The buildings was turned into a place of worship for the use Muslim immigrants to Belgium. The Centre has a school and an Islamic research centre whose objectives are to propagate the Muslim faith. It also provides courses of Arabic for adults and children, as well as introductory courses in Islam. Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire 14, 1000 Bruxelles, Bélgica Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 16:00 Friday and Saturday, 9:00 - 13:00 Except July and August t Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 1:00 Friday and Saturday, 9:00 - 13:00 Grand Place This place, an UNESCO World Heritage Site is the main tourist attraction of Brussels. It is a beautiful, wide open cobbled medieval and the main market square. It is a great place to hang out and admire the elegant guildhouses. In the Middle Ages wooden houses were built around the market and by the 14th century wealthy families took to building stone mansions which led to the market developing into the main commercial administrative centre. There is a daily flower market between
Brussels A friendly Destination for Muslim Travelers Islam in Belgium is the second largest religion in the country. Muslims constituting 23.6% of the population in Brussels. Here our recommendations about what to see in Brussels. The Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre The Great Mosque of Brussels is the oldest mosque in Brussels. It is located in the Cinquantenaire Park. It is also the
Services for Muslim Travelers Discover in this article what services a muslim traveler requires during the trip. In Europe, the tourist industry is improving their services and amenities for the muslim customers; But at the moment no other country reach Switzerland in standars of comfort, as most 5 star hotels were able to respond to the majority of the muslim traveler needs. The suggestions from muslim travelers includes facilities that contribute to customer’s opportunity to observe religious practices, including the availability of the Quran, prayer mats, prayer times in the local time zone and the marking of the Qibla, the direction of prayer towards Mecca. Other common suggestions included the availability of halal food or guarantees of a pork-free kitchen and an alcohol-free minibar in hotel rooms. Respect for Culture Survey participants also suggest further amenities that are not required for strict adherence to Islamic religious requirements but were appreciated for cultural reasons. These included everything from the availability of bidets in hotel bathrooms to having Middle Eastern menus and Arabic TV channels, something that one survey participant noted could sway his choice of hotel. Muslim Women Female travellers noted the importance for strict Muslim travellers of female-only areas in hotel spas and the availability of female spa therapists, female-only swimming times and female room staff. Extra amenities suggested included having Muslim swimwear available for purchase. Source: Premium Europe AG Consultants
Services for Muslim Travelers Discover in this article what services a muslim traveler requires during the trip. In Europe, the tourist industry is improving their services and amenities for the muslim customers; But at the moment no other country reach Switzerland in standars of comfort, as most 5 star hotels were able to respond to
PARIS SIGHTSEEING FOR MUSLIM TRAVELERS What to see in Paris Paris has an uniqte ancient charm, walk through the backstreets of Montmartre, the terraced cafés of Montparnasse, visit the iconic structure of the Eiffel Tower or cruise the placid waters of the Seine, are all unforgetable experiences. The Great Mosque Built following the Mudejar style -pure white walls and the green-blue roofs and tiles on portions- is an early 20th century contribution to the cultural relations between France and the Muslim world. Constructed in honor of the French Arab community that fought in the World War I, It was the first of France, and its largest, covering nearly a hectare. Ahmad al-Alawi, an Algerian founder of the modern Sufi order Darqawiyya Alawiyya, led the first communal prayer to inaugurate the mosque. Don not miss the areas for prayers, sermons and the reading of the Qur’an are restricted to Muslims. Address: 2bis Place du Puits de l'Ermite, 75005 Paris Eiffel Tower Designed by Gustav Eiffel and constructed for the 1889 The World's Fair, the tower was always meant to be a temporary structure. But the parisian found it useful for communication transmissions. Today stands as one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Visitors can walk up to the first floor of the Eiffel Tower or take the elevator all the way up to the top, where they'll be treated with vast panoramic views of the city. Opening time: The Tower openes at 9:00 am. It welcomes the lasts visitors at midnight, and closes its doors at 00:45 am. Address: Parc du Champ de Mars Paris, France 75007 Louvre Museum This museum has earned the title as the most visited in the world -upward of 9 million per year-. Try to cover the entire 650,000 square feet of gallery space in a day, is
PARIS SIGHTSEEING FOR MUSLIM TRAVELERS What to see in Paris Paris has an uniqte ancient charm, walk through the backstreets of Montmartre, the terraced cafés of Montparnasse, visit the iconic structure of the Eiffel Tower or cruise the placid waters of the Seine, are all unforgetable experiences. The Great Mosque Built following the Mudejar style -pure
HALAL TRIP TO SPAIN MUSLIM FRIENDLY BARCELONA What to see in Barcelona In the 8th century Muslims conquered Barcelona but their presence lasted less than a hundred years as ‘the Franks’ occupied the city turning it into a military strong post. Still, the Muslim presence in the Catalan region remained for quite some centuries. Church Sagrada Familia Inspired by medieval cathedrals The Sacred Family Church with three doorways which lead into each of the naves that intersect with the central aisle, it rises up in the middle of Barcelona. In the style of Neo-Gothic the building convers an area of 12,800 square metres. Although it is true that, at the present time, eight of the 18 towers that were originally planned have been completed –12 of them dedicated to Jesus’s disciples, 4 to the evangelists and 2 to the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ – when Gaudí died in 1926, only the Tower of Saint Barnaby had been built. Now, 133 Years Later, Gaudí’s Cathedral Nears Completion, 6 new towers will soon be added bringing the total to 18. Address: Marina street, Barcelona Güell Park A World Heritage Site represents the Catalan Art Nouveau movement, Modernisme, through one of the key figures in contemporary architecture, Antoni Gaudi. The park was based on an english garden city concept, and evolved as a luxury development comprising some 60 detached dwellings for families. A group of houses standing above the village of Gràcia, on the so called Muntanya Pelada, or Bald Mountain. However, the outbreak of the First World War, and the scant interest in the project, turned Güell and Gaudi’s design plan into a commercial failure. What should have been a large scale development was reduced to three plots of land: one for the Trias family, one for the Güell family and another for Gaudi. Address: Park Güell 08024 Barcelona Camp
HALAL TRIP TO SPAIN MUSLIM FRIENDLY BARCELONA What to see in Barcelona In the 8th century Muslims conquered Barcelona but their presence lasted less than a hundred years as ‘the Franks’ occupied the city turning it into a military strong post. Still, the Muslim presence in the Catalan region remained for quite some centuries. Church
ISLAMIC HERITAGE OF SPAIN Discover Madrid Al Andalus Heritage Mageit the Muslims called the new city they and this name was used until the 13th century when a new word - Madrid - appeared. The Majrit In the 9 century, the Umayyad emir Muhammad I seeking to fortify the Central Frontier an strategically important region against the northern Christian kingdoms—ordered the construction along the Manzanares River. It was named Majrīṭ, a name that possible derives from the Arabic word “mayra,” a reference to water as sustenance and a giver of life and the Ibero-Roman suffix “-it” meaning place. The fortress city of Andalusī Majrīṭ consisted of the Alcazaba and the Al-Mudayna. The Alcazaba was fenced with a wall, with many gates, and included the palace, a mosque and other military and managerial offices. The entire settlement was enclosed by a fortified wall, but small residential settlements (an area known as al-rabaḍ or suburbs) sprung up beyond it and across the river. The residential area of Majrīṭ was known as Al-Mudayna that mean “little city” in Arab. The city, with its streets and houses, grew naturally and without planning. This can be seen from the roads which lead from one to another, only to finish in a dead end. Such architecture was common place in medieval times, as can be seen in old Spanish towns, such as Toledo and some parts of Madrid. It can also be seen in the cities of North Africa, for example Fez. The southern part of Almudaina was a crowded residential area surrounded by a wall, some part of it, which extends to 120 m, have been repaired. Today the center of medieval Majrīṭ corresponds with the current location of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral, an area that formed the nucleus of the medieval Christian city of Madrid. Indeed the
ISLAMIC HERITAGE OF SPAIN Discover Madrid Al Andalus Heritage Mageit the Muslims called the new city they and this name was used until the 13th century when a new word – Madrid – appeared. The Majrit In the 9 century, the Umayyad emir Muhammad I seeking to fortify the Central Frontier an strategically important region against the
Discover Amazing Southern Spain Andalusia Day Trip Cadiz Villages Jimena de la Frontera A town whose origins go way back in time, enjoyed a boom during the Moorish period, especially as a frontier town in the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada during the 14th and 15th centuries. The emblematic building in this town - its Moorish castle - was built in that period. At the back of the castle we find the "Moorish Queen's Bath", which is actually a baptismal font from an old Mozarabic church that used to exist there, dug out of the rock. Several dug-out niches have also been recovered nearby, which probably belonged to another humble and ancient Mozarabic church. Together with the walls and the cistern, known as the "Moorish Queen's Bath", it forms a priceless architectural site. Other very attractive elements are the churches of La Misericordia and La Victoria, Los Ángeles Shrine, the Royal Artillery Factory building, the cave paintings in the nearby Laja Alta Cave, and the splendid nature area - the Los Alcornocales Nature Reserve - where the cave can be found. The remains of the medieval Al-Andalus castle in Jimena de la Frontera stand on San Cristobal Mountains, and used to serve as a watchtower for old borders. Several of the castle-fort's elements are preserved in quite good condition: stretches of walls that adapt to the topography of the terrain, with their corresponding towers or watchtowers set out in stretches; the so-called Clock Tower, or Albarrán, and the Alcázar, refurbished after being conquered by the Kingdom of Castile, dominated by the circular Keep. The views over Algeciras Bay and the mountains of Cadiz are breathtaking from here. Arcos de la Frontera Sitting on a spectacular cliff this picturesque town is full of Arab legacy for wich has been declared Property of Cultural Interest.
Discover Amazing Southern Spain Andalusia Day Trip Cadiz Villages Jimena de la Frontera A town whose origins go way back in time, enjoyed a boom during the Moorish period, especially as a frontier town in the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada during the 14th and 15th centuries. The emblematic building in this town – its Moorish
Visit Andalusia Islamic Heritage of Southern Spain What to See in Jerez de la Frontera The Alcazar The first part of the building were probably built in the 11th century, when Jerez was part of the Taifa Kingdom, on a site settled since pre historic times in the south-eastern corner of the city. In the 12th century, a new structure was erected to be used as Fortress Palace by the Almohad rulers of southern Spain. This Alcazar is one of the few examples of Almohad architecture that exist in the Peninsula. After the Reconquista of Andalusia, it was the seat of the first Christian mayors. As an interesting fact to mention that, the term Alcazar comes from the arabic word al-qasr and defines a set of buildings, surrounded by walls, that were the seat of the power that ruled the city and its territory. The wall with a perimeter of 4 km enclosed a city of 46 hectares and once reached a population of 16,000 inhabitants. Of the original Islamic fort, are preserved: the two doors; The mosque, the Arab baths; The Octagonal Tower and the Doña Blanca Courtyard Pavilion, located at the foot of the tower. And of later stages, the Tower of Homage of XV century, the Baroque Palace of Villavicencio and the Mill of oil of XVIII century. Nowadays the Alcazar is surrounded by a beautiful park. Visiting Times: Monday to Sunday on different schedules. Nov 01 to Mar 31 9:30 AM to 2.30 PM Apr 01 to Jun 30 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Jul 01 to Sep 15 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM Sep 16 to Oct 31 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Address: Alameda Vieja s/n 11403 Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, Andalusia Halal Restaurant Jaipur You migh also like to see our videos
Visit Andalusia Islamic Heritage of Southern Spain What to See in Jerez de la Frontera The Alcazar The first part of the building were probably built in the 11th century, when Jerez was part of the Taifa Kingdom, on a site settled since pre historic times in the south-eastern corner of the city. In the
Islamic Heritage of Al Andalus: Lisbon Before 1147 Lisbon was an important Moorish trading port with strong ties to North African heartland. After crusade Christianity was introduced in Portugal until today. Lisbon Sight Seeing Central Mosque The main mosque of the Portuguese Islamic community was inaugurated in 1985 to serve the Muslim community of the Portuguese capital. Address: Rua Mesquita 2, 1070-238 Lisboa, Portugal Lisbon Cathedral The exterior of the grand church from the 12th century resembles more a fortification than a religious centre, with massive solid walls and two imposing clock towers. It was built on top of a ruined mosque and symbolically confirmed the catholic conquest of Portugal. Address: Largo da Sé, 1100-585 Lisboa, Portugal Comercio Square The most important squeare of Lisbon, was for decades the open gate to Europe of maritim commerce coming from the Atlantic Ocean. Address: Av. Infante Dom Henrique 1, 1100-016 Lisboa, Portugal Rossio Square This place is one of Lisbon people meeting point to hang out. It is a very lively area to experimient the vibe of the city. Address: Praça Dom Pedro IV, 1100-201, Lisboa. Jeronimos Monastery Is one of the most popular tourist sight of Lisbon, protected as World Heritage by UNESCO for its great ornamentation. It took almost a century to finish the construction. Inagurated by the spanish ruler Felipe II in 1604. Situated in the Belem district of western Lisbon on the banks of the River Tagus and overlooking the docks of Belem. Today the waters edge is 300m further south than it was 500 years ago, leaving space for the beautiful Praça do Imperio gardens. This grand religious building was historically associated with the early sailors as explorers, as it was from here where Vasco De Gama departed to the Far East. Visiting Time 10:00-17:00 Oct.-April and 10:00-17:00 May-Sept. (Closed Mondays)
Islamic Heritage of Al Andalus: Lisbon Before 1147 Lisbon was an important Moorish trading port with strong ties to North African heartland. After crusade Christianity was introduced in Portugal until today. Lisbon Sight Seeing Central Mosque The main mosque of the Portuguese Islamic community was inaugurated in 1985 to serve the Muslim community of the
Visit Andalusia The Greatest Islamic Spain Heritage During 8th centuries Muslim and Christian coexist in the Iberian Peninsula, an unique phenomenon in medieval Europe. The Muslim presence continued until their expulsion, but left behind a profound imprint. But it was in Andalusia where Islam gave its greatest fruits, and these can still be seen in many places, constructions and buildings which have in some cases received the protection of UNESCO declaring them a World Heritage for their value. The culture of Al Andalus was profoundly urban; reason why Andalusia had over 60 major cities. The Islamic city typically had a series of fixed elements. The wall, with its towers and doors, fortress (Alcazaba) and palace (Alcazar). Inside the walls a compact town, the site of the congregational mosques, markets, granaries, silk exchanges, and public baths. The most important cities had neighbourhoods extending beyond the walls. There were numerous different quarters inside the cities, inhabited mainly by Christians known as Mozarabs, and the Jews. The streets were narrow and winding, with large sections of walls and little alleys whose doors by day gave access to the interior of the blocks and their families privacy. Routes of Andalusí Heritage include all the roads which were laid down centuries ago to connect the Kingdom of Granada with the rest of Andalusia, Murcia and Portugal. The routes recovered by Andalusí Foundation trace the original layout of these itineraries. Explore over 280 towns and villages, many of them far removed from the usual tourist circuit, as well as offering travellers the chance to enjoy with calm these landscapes and meet the local communities life style, and their arts and crafts. Find the Al Andalus Heritage Routes in Andalusia Tourism website here Our Muslim Tours of Al Andalus Heritage If you are interested in visiting this places, please check out our Andalusia Islamic
Visit Andalusia The Greatest Islamic Spain Heritage During 8th centuries Muslim and Christian coexist in the Iberian Peninsula, an unique phenomenon in medieval Europe. The Muslim presence continued until their expulsion, but left behind a profound imprint. But it was in Andalusia where Islam gave its greatest fruits, and these can still be seen in
