From the avant-garde design of the Islamic Cultural Center in New York City to the simplicity of the Dar al-Islam Mosque in Abiquiu; New Mexico; the American mosque takes many forms of visual and architectural expression. The absence of a single; authoritative model and the plurality of design nuances reflect the heterogeneity of the American Muslim community itself; which embodies a whole spectrum of ethnic origins; traditions; and religious practices.In this book; Akel Ismail Kahera explores the history and theory of Muslim religious aesthetics in the United States since 1950. Using a notion of deconstruction based on the concepts of "jamal" (beauty); "subject;" and "object" found in the writings of Ibn Arabi (d. 1240); he interprets the forms and meanings of several American mosques from across the country. His analysis contributes to three debates within the formulation of a Muslim aesthetics in North America—first; over the meaning; purpose; and function of visual religious expression; second; over the spatial and visual affinities between American and non-American mosques; including the Prophets mosque at Madinah; Arabia; and third; over the relevance of culture; place; and identity to the making of contemporary religious expression in North America.
#769101 in eBooks 2011-11-01 2011-11-01File Name: B00EZC0A6I
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Funny and informativeBy georgieI loved this book so much I bought it for my daughter who loved it too. Stuart Maconie writes with wit and knowledge. It is maybe not for someone with no interest in alternative music but it is very well written never the less.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Stuart rocks!!By SurferofromanticaIm not from the UK; but its still great to experience the words of a great music journalists in a loving bildungsroman-like collection of essays portraying the essayist as a young man; growing up in Wigan (I used to know nothing about Wigan; but now at least I have the Maconie version of it!!); the joys of being in a band; of discovering the Smiths (I can relate to that... sorta... I did discover them... but didnt really fall in love with them...). And; even knowing that I probably didnt get half of his jokes; the writing is indeed very wry and very funny. Maconie is truly the master of the wry and irreverent comparison!He doesnt get off to a good start; unfortunately; going on and on about how he was such a precocious three-year-old that he managed to convince his mom to take him to see the Beatles (hmmmm... yeah... so what...); but then gets into interesting tales of how he learned how to play guitar; how he joined bands; how he hung out in school... how he got into music journalism... a factory worker... a student... a teacher... discovering prog rock (Gentle Giant!!); discovering punk; discovering the Clash; discovering the Smiths... having a go at music journalism... hanging out with INXS... hanging out with Napalm Death. Best story in the book: hanging out with Motorhead!! Theres also a fantastic story about hanging out with Mark E Smith of The Fall. Great!! Some of the chapters are a bit weak; but most arent; and here hes already miles ahead of Chuck Klosterman. Weird how he stalked Elvis Costellos dad; though!!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Cider with RoadiesBy S RiazThis is a delightful memoir ndash; the story of Stuart Maconiersquo;s love affair with music. It takes us from his first concert at the age of three (The Beatles; which is unbeatable by any standards); through Northern Soul; progressive Rock; the arrival of Punk Rock; a short lived attempt at playing in a band and his later career as a rock journalist. Maconie is always humorous and slightly self mocking; but his enthusiasm is unfeigned and always honest. This will make you dig out obscure albums as well as listen to old favourites with fresh interest. All music lovers will enjoy this and; as an added bonus; Maconie is charming and excellent company; who will make you laugh out loud. A joy to read ndash; but why it is not available on kindle I have no idea. It is surely deserving of re-release. However; for now; dig out a paperback copy and discover the highs and lows of fandom and working for the NME.