Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/67

MOSQUE. 53 Cristo de la Luz. The dome was not used to any extent till the fourteenth century, when two new types made it their central form: the mausoleum mosque originating in Cairo, and the Turlsish mosque derived from the Byzantine plan of Saint Sophia (q.v. ) at Constantinojih^ The master- piece of the first tj-pe is the Hasan mosque at Cairo (135U), followed by those of Barkuk, Khawand al-Baraka, and others. Of the second type, besides the several superb examples at Con- stantinople (Sulaiman, Ahmad, and others) there is the earlier one at Isnik, and the model spread even to F-nyjit, as in the Sinan mosque at Bulak. Still another way of employing the dome ap- peared in certain of the mosques of India, as the Doshamnia mos(iue at Delhi. Among the most famous and sacred of the early mosques were the Musjid al-Ifarutn at Mecca (q.v.), the Masjid ul-uhi at Jledina (q.v.), the Muxjid al-AkuCi, the Mosque of Omar at .Terusalem, and the great Mosque of Walid at Danuiseus. All of these have been rebuilt so that their early form is no longer recognizable. The old mosque at Kairwan (q.v.) is a well preserved early example (eiglith century) ,as is also the Jlosque of Tulun at Cairo ; the Mosque of Aniru at Cairo is of even earlier foundation, and still retains portions of old work. The ilosque of Omar represents the concentric mausoleum type. It is now two or three cen- turies since mosques of any architectural impor- tance have been erected. The poorer mosques have bare whitewashed walls with no decoration of any kind. The larger and more pretentious are often elaborately and artistically decorated with carvings, arabcsqiies, and passages from the Koran in the most involved style of orna- mental calligraphy. Hundreds of oil lamps and sometimes ostrich eggs, elephant's tusks, and the like hang from the ceiling. The floor is usually covered with matting. A striking feature of mosque architecture is the minaret (q.v.). The five prayers are said in the mosque daily. (See MoH.MMEDANiSM.) The worshiper on en- tering removes his shoes, carries them in his left hand, sole to sole, and puts his right foot first over the threshold. He performs the necessary ablutions and takes his place in the congregation facing the iiiihrub. The attendance is more gen- eral on Friday, when some special prayers are said and a sermon (klititbah) is often added. A mosque which has this service is called masjid al-jdmi' ('mosque of the general assembling') or simply jiimV. Women are not forbidden to en- tei' the mosque, but their presence is not con- sidered seemly during the time of prayer: some- times a special place, secluded by a screen, is pro- vided for them. There are few mosques to vi'hieh unbelievers do not now have access. The utmost decorum and solemnity are ob.served during ser- vices, and the mosques are deeply reverenced by tlie failliful. At the same time they are intended for daily use, and when services are not going on are general gathering and lounging places; persons may be seen there sewing, spinning, or engaged in some similar handicraft: and they serve as resting places for travelers and wan- derers. It has been the custom from the begin- ning for teachers and professors to give lectures and hold classes in the larger mosques, which thus serve as college buildings. The teacher takes his place at a pier or column at stated hours, his favorite pupil holds his books or MOSQUITIA. notes, and the audience sits around on mats. Several such courses are carried on simultane- ously in ditlerent parts of the covered arcades. Until uiedressehs were built in the eleventh century, the mosques were probably the only regular seat of advanced teaching. In recent times the advanced education in the mosques has been largely confined to the preparation of can- didates for the position of imam, but there are still notable exceptions. The Azhar Mosque in Cairo has long been the main centre of ad- vanced instruction in Mohammedan countries, the only survivor of many finer mediieval insti- tions, and its courses are attended by between 5000 and 10,000 students. Minor build'ings, such as school-rooms, academies, libraries, hospitals, dormitories, public kitchens, and almshouses, are often connected with the mosques. The revenues of the mosques are derived not only from the contributions of the faithful, but also from investments in landed property {ictikuf), often from gifts made centuries ago; this property is in the hands of trustees. The income serves to keep the building in repair and to pay necessary ex]ienses. The mosque officials and attendants include the 'imum, who leads the prayers, the learned men who teach {viniclmvi. 'uUinu'i). the khdiih or preacher (in a jami'). the muezzins (q.v.), who call to prayers, door- keepers, lamp-lighters, etc. Their number depends entirely upon the revenues ; sometimes a single imam combines in his person the functions of all the others. The imam has a salary from the revenues, but the teachers are dependent entirely upon the gifts of their pupils. See Moiiam- MEDAXISM. Consult the Bibliography of MonAM- MEnAN Art. MOSQtTEKA, me'is-k;"i'ra. ToM.is Cipriano de (1708-1S78). A Colombian politician and sol- dier, born at Popayan. At thirty-one he was gen- eral and Ambassador Extraordinary to Peru, and in 1833 was made Senator. From 1845 to 1840 he was President of New Granada, and greatly increased the material prosperity of the country. He headed the revolt against Ospina in 18.59, and in 1861 became President of the coimtry reorganized as the United States of Colombia; but was deposed in 1867 for arrogat- ing to himself the power of adjourning Congress. He returned from banishment in 1860. and be- came Governor of Cnuca and a Congressman. MOSQTJE SWALLOW. One of a group of related Asiatic and North African swallows within the genus Hirundo, whose prevailing colors are blue, with chestnut on the rump and side of the head, and buff or brownish streaked breasts. They are familiar town swal- lows wherever they occur, and take their English name from the habit of placing their nests com- monly on the walls and minarets of mosques. These nests and their eggs are much like those of the American eaves swallow. The commonest Ori- ental species are Hirundo daitrica and Hirundo Ncpalensis, and a conspicuous African one of large size is Hirundo Senepalensis. Consult Sharpe and Wyatt. Mononraph of the Hirundi- vidre (London. 188.1-04). and authorities upon East Indian birds cited under Bird. MOSQTIITIA, mos'ke-te'A. A strip of terri- tory on the east coast of Central America. See Mosquito Coast.