The Blue Mosque

What is the context?

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Shrine of Ali, is located in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Sultan Ahmed Sanjar first constructed the mosque. The mosque was destroyed during Genghis Khan’s invasion of modern-day Afghanistan in 1220. It was reconstructed in the 1400s by Sultan Husain Mirza Bayqhara and finally opened to public in 1481. The mosque is also known as the shrine of Ali. Ali ibn Abi Talib was the cousin and eventual son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Local stories claim that Ali’s remains were buried at the site of the mosque. A religious leader had a dream in which Ali directed him to the site and that caused Sultan Ahmed Sanjar to initially construct the mosque in his honor. However, the majority of Muslims believe his remains are actually buried at the Imam Ali Mosque in Najar, Iraq. The mosque houses the tombs of many Afghani rulers and religious leaders. The Blue Mosque is surrounded by various parklands and is a well-known public sanctuary from urban distractions. The Blue Mosque is made up of hundreds of thousands of costume made tiles arranged in various designs. In fact, the mosque has its own custom tiles shop. The major colors utilized in the Blue Mosque are shades of blues and yellows.

What is the artist communicating? How?

Two themes conveyed in the Blue Mosque are peace and calm. The country of Afghanistan is no stranger to turmoil and yet the mosque has withstood even the most brutal wars. The history of the mosque is easily seen in its tiles, as many of them are originals that have been remade. The Blue Mosque is one example of peace in an otherwise destructive city. It has withstood the test of time and still stands tall. The other theme conveyed in the Blue Mosque is calm. The colors of the tiles truly capture this feeling. Rather than being sensationalized, the blues are of multiple shades and draw the eye in numerous directions. And yet the overall feeling when looking at the mosque is one of serenity rather than overstimulation. Moreover, the various geometric designs on the individual tiles create beautiful mosaics that soothe the eye. In Islam, a mosque is the utmost place of calm and serenity as it allows a Muslim to escape worldly distractions and pray to God. The Blue Mosque is a sanctuary in itself and is further emphasized as one through its strikingly colored tiles and relatively simple design. Overall, the Blue Mosque is an example melding of various emotions in order to create a safe haven.

Why do you find it beautiful?

I have always enjoyed Islamic art and architecture. Specifically speaking, I enjoy visiting various mosques and seeing different Islamic influences. The first think I noticed about the Blue Mosque were the beautiful colors and how well they worked together. There is a stunning melding of various shades and hues to create an overall piece of art. I also like the story behind the Blue Mosque and what it stands for now. Its religious origins have transformed into a public park for people of all different cultures and religions. Afghanistan is known for various differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims but the Blue Mosque is a place of religious worship for both sects of Islam. Moreover, I find the Blue Mosque incredibly aesthetically pleasing. It resembles the sky and the sun in its use of blue and yellow. It is surrounded by white marble that further accentuates its look. The Blue Mosque is quite different than any mosque I have seen thus far. It is utterly unique and different. I find beauty in the mosque’s architecture as well. There are harsh lines paralleled with soft arches that create an interesting combination. Overall, the Blue Mosque is beautiful in its religious story, tenacity, and creative design.