Editorial: Holy Places by Asia Maria Andreolli

So let not this present life deceive you

Surah Fatir, verse 5

HOLY PLACES

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HOLY PLACES

designed by Asia Maria Andreolli

Holy Places — noun

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Alif, Lam, Meem.

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My pledge to you, and fear Me.

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God is not unaware of what you do.

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God is Possessor of Sublime Grace.

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Except he who fools himself?

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We hear and disobey.

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INDEX

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Borobudur, or Barabudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, not far from the town of Muntilan, in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple.

The temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square

and three circular, topped by a central dome. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa.

Built in the 9th century during the reign of the

Sailendra Dynasty, the temple design follows Javanese Buddhist architecture, which blends the Indonesian indigenous cult of ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana.

Holy Places Definition of holy place 1 : a place set apart for religious rites specifically : the larger chamber of the Jewish tabernacle and temple separated from the holy of holies by a veil

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2 : a place made sacred by association : SHRINE specifically : one of various places (as of the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus) of religious pilgrimage

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The Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. The statue is sited near Po Lin.

This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guide for the righteous.

Those who believe in the unseen, and perform the prayers, and give from what We have provided for them.

And those who believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, and are certain of the Hereafter.

These are upon guidance from their Lord. These are the successful.

As for those who disbelieve—it is the same for them, whether you have warned them, or have not warned them—they do not believe. God has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and over their vision is a

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Alif, Lam, Meem.

veil.They will have a severe torment.

Among the people are those who say, “We believe in God and in the Last Day,” but they are not believers.

They seek to deceive God and those who believe, but they deceive none

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kers, but they are not aware. And when it is said to them, “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Shall we believe as the fools have believed?” In fact, it is they who are the fools, but they do not know.

And when they come across those who believe, they say, “We believe”; but when they are alone with their devils, they say, “We are with you;

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but themselves, though they are not aware.

In their hearts is sickness, and God has increased their sickness. They will have a painful punishment because of their denial. And when it is said to them, “Do not make trouble on earth,” they say, “We are only reformers.”

In fact, they are the troublema-

Belur is home to a Vishnurelated Hoysala Hindu temple complex from the 12th century called the Kesava Temple at Belur.

This temple along with Hoysaleshwara Temple and Jain temples in Halebidu have been proposed as UNESCO world heritage sites.

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The Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church each claim to be the original Christian Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church

bases its claim primarily on its assertion that it holds to traditions and beliefs of the original Christian Church.

we were only ridiculing.�

It is God who ridicules them, and leaves them bewildered in their transgression.Those are they who have bartered error for guidance; but their trade does not profit them, and they are not guided.

Their likeness is that of a person who kindled a fire; when it illuminated all around him, God took away their light, and left them in darkness, unable to see.

Deaf, dumb, blind. They will not return. Or like a cloudburst from the sky, in which is darkness, and thunder, and lightning. They press their fingers into their ears from the thunderbolts, in fear of death. But God surrounds the disbelievers.The lightning almost snatches their sight away.

Whenever it illuminates for them, they walk in it; but when it grows dark over them, they stand still. Had God willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight.

God is capable of everything.

O people!

The summit of the mountain is occupied by the Sagrat Cor church and adjacent Tibidabo Amusement Park. The Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower is

a short walk away. All three are prominently visible from most of the city of Barcelona.

Designed by Enric Sagnier, the church took 60 years to construct .

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the losers.

Worship your Lord who created you How can you deny God, when you and those before you, that you may were dead and He gave you life, then attain piety.

He will put you to death, then He will bring you to life, then to Him WHe who made the earth a habitat you will be returned? for you, and the sky a structure, and It is He who created for you sends water down from the sky, and everything on earth, then turned to brings out fruits thereby, as a suste- the heaven, and made them seven nance for you. Therefore, do not heavens. And He is aware of all assign rivals to God while you know. things.

And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, When your Lord said to the angels, then produce a chapter like these, “I am placing a successor on earth.” and call your witnesses apart from They said, “Will You place in it God, if you are truthful. someone who will cause corrupBut if you do not—and you will tion in it and shed blood, while we not—then beware the Fire whose declare Your praises and sanctify fuel is people and stones, prepared You?” He said,“I know what you do for the disbelievers. And give good not know.” And He taught Adam the news to those who believe and do names, all of them; then he presenrighteous deeds; that they will have ted them to the angels, and said,“Tell gardens beneath which rivers flow. Me the names of these, if you are Whenever they are provided with sincere.” fruit therefrom as sustenance, they They said,“Glory be to You! We have will say,“This is what we were provi- no knoWWwledge except what You ded with before,” and they will be have taught us. It is you who are the given the like of it. And they will Knowledgeable, the Wise.” have pure spouses therein, and they He said, “O Adam, tell them their will abide therein forever. names.” And when he told them God does not shy away from making their names, He said, “Did I not an example of a gnat, or something tell you that I know the secrets of above it. As for those who believe, the heavens and the earth, and that they know that it is the Truth from I know what you reveal and what their Lord. But as for those who you conceal?” disbelieve, they say, “What did God And We said to the angels, “Bow intend by this example?” He leads down to Adam.”They bowed down, astray many thereby, and He guides except for Satan. many thereby; but He misleads thereby only the evildoers.

He refused, was arrogant, and was Those who violate God’s covenant one of the disbelievers. We said, “O after its confirmation, and sever what Adam, inhabit the Garden, you and God has commanded to be joined, your spouse, and eat from it freely as and commit evil on earth.These are you please, but do not approach this

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The Hagia Sophia construction consists of mostly masonry. The structure is composed of brick and mortar joint that are 1.5 times the width of the bricks.

tree, lest you become wrongdoers.”

But Satan caused them to slip from it, and caused them to depart the state they were in. We said, “Go down, some of you enemies of one another. And you will have residence on earth, and enjoyment for a while.”

Then Adam received words from his Lord, so He relented towards him.

He is the Relenting, the Merciful.

We said, “Go down from it, all of you. Yet whenever guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows My guidance—they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve.

But as for those who disbelieve and reject Our signs—these are the inmates of the Fire—wherein they will remain forever.” Remember My blessings which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your pledge to Me, and I will fulfill Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

The largest mosque in the country, it is the key place of worship for daily.

My pledge to you, and fear Me. within earthworks in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.

Archaeologists believe it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC.

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Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, two miles (3 km) west of Amesbury. It consists of a ring of standing stones, with each standing stone around 13 feet (4.0 m) high, seven feet (2.1 m) wide and weighing around 25 tons. The stones are set

The Kaaba is a cuboid stone structure made of granite. It is approximately 13.1 m (43 ft) high (some claim 12.03 m (39.5 ft)), with sides measuring 11.03 m (36.2 ft) by 12.86 m (42.2 ft).Inside the Kaaba, the floor is made of marble and limestone. The interior walls, measuring 13 m (43 ft) by 9 m (30 ft), are clad with tiled, white marble halfway to the roof, with darker trimmings along the floor.

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The floor of the interior stands about 2.2 m (7.2 ft) above the ground area where tawaf is performed.

The wall directly adjacent to the entrance of the Kaaba has six tablets inlaid with inscriptions, and there are several more tablets along the other walls.

Along the top corners of the walls runs a green cloth embroidered with gold Qur’anic verses. Caretakers anoint the marble cladding with the same scented oil used to anoint the Black Stone outside.

Three pillars (some erroneously report two) stand inside the Kaaba, with a small altar or table set between one and the other two. (It has been claimed that this table is used for the placement of perfumes or other items.) Lamp-like objects (possible lanterns or crucible censers) hang from the ceiling.

And believe in what I revealed, confirming what is with you; and do not be the first to deny it; and do not exchange My revelations for a small price; and be conscious of Me. And do not mix truth with falsehood, and do not conceal the truth while you know.

And attend to your prayers, and practice regular charity, and kneel with those who kneel.Do you command people to virtuous conduct, and forget yourselves, even though you read the Scripture? Do you not understand?And seek help through patience and prayer. But it is difficult, except for the devout.

Those who know that they will meet their Lord, and that to Him they will return.

Egyptian temples were built for the official worship of the gods and in commemoration of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt and regions under Egyptian control.

Temples were seen as houses for the gods or kings to whom they were dedicated. Within

them, the Egyptians performed a variety of rituals, the central functions of Egyptian religion: giving offerings to the gods, reenacting their mythological interactions through festivals.

the Earth. The Buddhas are nested together in the meditation position, looking out over the valley.

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The site’s location at Khao Kho was chosen for its natural beauty, to inspire meditation. Set against the serenity of the mountains is the site’s most striking feature, the ice-white temple itself, representing the traditional five Buddhas who visited

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Salvation Mountain is a hillside visionary environment created by local resident Leonard Knight (1931–2014) in the California Desert area of Imperial County, north of Calipatria, northeast of Niland near Slab City, and several miles from the

Salton Sea.The artwork is made of adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of lead-free paint. It encompasses numerous murals and areas painted with Christian sayings and Bible verses, though its philosophy was built around the Sinner’s Prayer.

The Rektoratskirche St. Karl Borromäus, commonly called the Karlskirche, is a baroque church located on the south side of KAarlsplatz in Vienna, Austria. Widely considered the most outstanding.

ment led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale seeking to create a new nation named Khalistan. In 1984, Gandhi sent in the Indian Army as part of Operation Blue Star, leading to deaths of over 1,000 militants, soldiers and civilians, as well as causing much damage

to the temple and the destruction of Akal Takht.

The temple complex was rebuilt again after the 1984 damage.

The Harmandir Sahib is an open boat of worship for all men and women, from all walks of life and faith.

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The temple is spiritually the most significant shrine in Sikhism. It became a center of the Singh Sabha Movement between 1883 and 1920s. In the early 1980s, the temple became a center of conflict between the Indian government led

by Indira Gandhi, some Sikh groups and a militant move-

cathedrals and churches, until the 16th century.

Its most prominent features included the use of the rib vault and the flying buttress, which allowed the weight of the roof to be counterbalanced by buttresses outside the building.

of the Sino-French War in August 1884, the allegiance of Ninh Bình was of considerable importance to the French, as artillery mounted in its lofty citadel controlled river traffic to the Gulf of Tonkin.

Although the Vietnamese authorities in Ninh Bình made no attempt to hinder the passage of an expedition launched by Henri Rivière in March 1883 to capture Nam Dinh, they were known to be hostile towards the French.

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Gothic architecture is a style that flourished in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Originating in 12th-century France, it was widely used, especially for

God is not unaware of what you do.

Ninh Bình city is a small city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam; it is the capital of Ninh Bình Province.

Ninh Bình Province is located in northern Vietnam comprising 48 square

kilometres; the 2007 city population was 130,517.

It takes 2 hours by coach from Hanoi - the capital to Ninh Bình.

During the period of undeclared hostilities in Tonkin that preceded the outbreak

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the

Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmark. The first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple.

The Spanish Synagogue is not the first synagogue at the site. Before it there stood probably the oldest synagogue in Prague Jewish Town, Altschule.

In the second half of 19th century, the capacity of the Altschule did not suffice.

The modernist faction in the community, which renovated it in 1837 for the purpose of moderately reformed services, therefore decided to demolish the synagogue in 1867 and one year later it was replaced by the new, Spanish Synagogue.

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Remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I favored you over all nations.And beware of a Day when no soul will avail another in the least, nor will any intercession be accepted on its behalf, nor will any ransom be taken from it, nor will they be helped.

And recall that We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh. They inflicted on you terrible persecution, killing your sons and sparing your women. Therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord.

And recall that We parted the sea for you, so We saved you, and We drowned the people of Pharaoh as you looked on.

And recall that We appointed for Moses forty nights. Then you took to worshiping the calf after him, and you turned wicked.Then We pardoned you after that, so that you might be grateful.

And recall that We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion, so that you may be guided. And recall that Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have done wrong to yourselves by worshiping the calf.

So repent to your Maker, and kill your egos. That would be better for you with your Maker.” So He turned to you in repentance. He is the Accepter of Repentance, the Merciful. And recall that you said,

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Two key concepts for understanding Amish practices are their rejection of Hochmut (pride, arrogance, haughtiness) and the high value they place on Demut (humility) and Gelassenheit (calmness, composure, placidity), often translated as “submis-

sion” or “letting-be”.

Gelassenheit is perhaps better understood as a reluctance to be forward, to be self-promoting, or to assert oneself. The Amish’s willingness to submit to the “Will of Jesus”, expressed through group norms, is at odds with the individua-

lism so central to the wider American culture. The Amish anti-individualist orientation is the motive for rejecting labor-saving technologies that might make one less dependent on the community.

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After King Henry VIII ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, many of the monastic sites throughout England were abandoned and gradually fell into ruin.

Fountains Abbey in Ripon, which dates back to the 12th is one of the largest

and best preserved monastic ruins.

After a dispute and riot in 1132 at the Benedictine house of St Mary’s Abbey, in York, 13 monks were expelled (among them Saint Robert of Newminster) and, after unsuccessful attempts

“O Moses, we will not believe in you unless we see God plainly.”

Thereupon the thunderbolt struck you, as you looked on.

Then We revived you after your death, so that you may be appreciative.

And We shaded you with clouds, and We sent down to you manna and quails: “Eat of the good things We have provided for you. ” They did not wrong Us, but they used to wrong their own souls.”

And recall that We said, “Enter this town, and eat plentifully from it whatever you wish; but enter the gate humbly, and say, ‘Pardon.’ We will forgive your sins, and give increase to the virtuous.”

But the wrongdoers among them substituted words other than those given to them, so We sent down on

to form a new monastery were taken under the protection of Thurstan, Archbishop of York.He provided them with land in the valley of the River Skell, a tributary of the Ure. The enclosed valley had all the natural features needed for the creation of a monastery.

Sindhu)”,[more specifically in the 6th-century BCE inscription of Darius I (550–486 BCE).The term Hindu in these ancient records is a geographical term and did not refer to a religion.Among the earliest known records of ‘Hindu’ with connotations of religion may be in the

7th-century CE Chinese text Record of the Western Regions by Xuanzang, and 14th-century Persian text Futuhu’s-salatin by ‘Abd al-Malik Isami.

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It is believed that Hindu was used as the name for the Indus River in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent (modern day Pakistan and Northern India).According to Gavin Flood, “The actual term Hindu first occurs as a Persian geographical term for the people who lived beyond the river Indus (Sanskrit:

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God has power

God is Possessor of Sublime Grace.

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over all things

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Synagogues are consecrated spaces used for the purpose of prayer, Tanakh (the entire Hebrew Bible, including the Torah) reading, study and assembly; however, a synagogue is not necessary for worship.

Halakha holds that communal Jewish worship can be carried out wherever ten Jews (a minyan) assemble. Worship can also be carried out alone or with fewer than ten people assembled together.

smission: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition,and that these are authentically interpreted by the Magisterium.Sacred Scripture consists of the 73 books of the Catholic Bible, consisting of 46 Old Testament and 27 New Testament writings.

Sacred Tradition consists of those teachings believed by the church to have been handed down since the time of the Apostles.Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition are collectively known as the “deposit of faith” (depositum fidei).

the wrongdoers a plague from heaven, because of their wicked behavior. And recall when Moses prayed for water for his people.

We said, “Strike the rock with your staff.”Thereupon twelve springs gushed out from it.

“Eat and drink from God’s provision, and do not corrupt the earth with disobedience.”And recall when you said, “O Moses, we cannot endure one kind of food, so call to your Lord to produce for us of what the earth grows: of its herbs, and its cucumbers, and its garlic, and its lentils, and its onions.”

He said, “Would you substitute worse for better? Go down to Egypt, where you will have what you asked for.”

They were struck with humiliation and poverty, and incurred wrath from God. That was because they rejected God’s revelations and wrongfully killed the prophets. That was because they disobeyed and transgressed.

Catholic doctrine has developed over the centuries, reflecting direct teachings of early Christians, formal definitions of heretical and orthodox beliefs by ecumenical councils and in papal bulls, and theological debate by scholars. The church believes that it is continually guided by the Holy Spirit

as it discerns new theological issues and is protected infallibly from falling into doctrinal error when a firm decision on an issue is reached.

It teaches that revelation has one common source, God, and two distinct modes of tran-

However, halakha considers certain prayers as communal prayers and therefore they may be recited only by a minyan.

Those who believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Christians, and the Sabeans—any who believe in God and the Last Day, and act righteously—will have their reward with their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

And recall when We received a pledge from you, and raised the Mount above you: “Take what We have given you earnestly, and remember what is in it, that you may attain righteousness.” But after that you turned away.Were it not for God’s grace and mercy towards you, you would have been among the losers. And you surely knew those of you who violated the Sabbath.We said to them, “Be despicable apes!”

Thus We made it a deterrent for their generation, and for subse-

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Incense is aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burned. The term refers to the material itself, rather than to the aroma that it produces. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, and in therapy, meditation, and ceremony. It may also be used as a simple deodorant or insectifuge.

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quent generations, and a lesson for the righteous.

And recall when Moses said to his people, “God commands you to sacrifice a heifer.” They said, “Do you make a mockery of us?” He said, “God forbid that I should be so ignorant.”

They said, “Call upon your Lord to show us which one.”

He said, “He says she is a heifer, neither too old, nor too young, but in between. So do what you are commanded.”They said,“Call upon your Lord to show us what her color is.” He said, “He says she is a yellow heifer, bright in color, pleasing to the beholders.” They said, “Call upon your Lord to show us which one; the heifers look alike to us; and God willing, we will be guided.”

He said, “He says she is a heifer, neither yoked to plow the earth, nor to irrigate the field; sound without blemish.”

A pagoda is a tiered tower with multiple eaves, built in traditions originating as stupa in historic South Asia and further developed in East Asia or with respect to those traditions, common to Nepal, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia. Some

pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located in or near viharas. In some countries, the term may refer to other religious structures.

abuses of the Catholic Church, but also its doctrine. He wanted to eradicate or modify all that was against the teachings of the New Testament.

He wanted a deep reform of the present Church.

They said, “Now you have brought the truth.” So they slew her; though they almost did not. And recall when you killed a person, and disputed in the matter; but God was to expose what you were hiding.

We said,“Strike him with part of it.”

Thus God brings the dead to life; and He shows you His signs, that you may understand.Then after that your hearts hardened. They were as rocks, or even harder. For there are some rocks from which rivers gush out, and others that splinter and water comes out from them, and others that sink in awe of God. Do you hope that they will believe in you, When some of them used to hear the Word of God, and then deliberately distort it, even after understanding it? And when they come across those who believe, they say, “We believe,” but when they come together privately, they say, “Will you inform them of what God has disclosed to you, so that

they might dispute with you concerning it before your Lord?” Do you not understand?

Do they not know that God knows what they conceal and what they reveal?

Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is a Balinese Hindu temple or pura located in the slope of Mount Lempuyang in Karangasem, Bali.

Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is considered as part of a complex of pura surrounding

Mount Lempuyang, one of the highly regarded temples of Bali. The temples of Mount Lempuyang, represented by the highest pura at the peak of Mount Lempuyang, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, is one of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, or the “six sanctuaries of the world”, on Bali.

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In 1517 Luther initiated a reformation movement by publicising his 95 theses against the indulgences. Thanks to printing his views were widely publicised in Europe.

Based on the New Testament, they aimed not only at correcting the

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Monument Valley lies on the Arizona-Utah state line in the Four Corners area. It was named “Valley of the Rocks� by an early tribe of hunter-gatherers who said it was a place of supernatural powers.

In actuality, it is a plateau, not a valley, with sandstone

buttes and mesas where magnificent purplish red monoliths and towering spires rise dramatically from the rust-colored desert floor.

Monument Valley is one of the most photographed areas in the US. It became famous in the 1930’s as

the place where John Ford filmed Stagecoach, which starred John Wayne, who rode on horseback through the iconic scenery. Even though it is a harsh desert landscape, it has remained the home of the Navajo people, who have survive.

planned what Egyptologists believe to be a tomb for the pharaoh Djoser. Imhotep is credited with being the first to conceive the notion of stacking mastabas on top of each other, creating an edifice composed of a number of “steps” that decreased in size towards

its apex. The result was the Pyramid of Djoser, which was designed to serve as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could ascend to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep’s achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.

And among them are uneducated who know the Scripture only through hearsay, and they only speculate.

So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, and then say, “This is from God,” that they may exchange it for a little price. Woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn.And they say, “The Fire will not touch us except for a number of days.”

Say,“Have you received a promise from God—God never breaks His promise— or are you saying about God what you do not know?”

Indeed, whoever commits misdeeds, and becomes besieged by his iniquities—these are the inmates of the Fire, wherein they will dwell forever.

As for those who believe and do righteous deeds—these are the inhabitants of Paradise, wherein they will dwell forever.

The Nabataeans worshipped Arab gods and goddesses during the pre-Islamic era as well as a few of their deified kings. One, Obodas I, was deified after his death. Dushara was the primary male god accompanied by his three female.

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By the time of the Early Dynastic Period, those with sufficient means were buried in benchlike structures known as mastabas.

The second historically-documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architect Imhotep, who

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About the inmates of Hell Except he who fools himself?

branch of the Germanic peoples. It was displaced by Christianity during the Christianization of Scandinavia. Scholars reconstruct aspects of North Germanic religion by historical linguistics,

archaeology, toponymy, and records left by North Germanic peoples, such as runic inscriptions in the Younger Futhark, a distinctly North Germanic extension of the runic alphabet.

it was forbidden to you. Is it that you believe in part of the Scripture, and disbelieve in part? What is the reward for those among you who do that but humiliation in this life?

And on the Day of Resurrection, they will be assigned to the most severe torment. God is not unaware of what you do. Those are they who bought the present life for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be helped. We gave Moses the Scripture, and sent a succession of messengers after him. And We gave Jesus son of Mary the clear proofs, and We supported him with

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Old Norse religion is the most common name for a branch of Germanic religion which developed during the Proto-Norse period, when the North Germanic peoples separated into a distinct

We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “Worship none but God; and be good to parents, and reLatives, and orphans, and the needy; and speak nicely to people; and pray regularly, and give alms.”

Then you turned away, except for a few of you, recanting.

And We made a covenant with you: “You shall not shed the blood of your own, nor shall you evict your own from your homes.”You agreed, and were all witnesses.

But here you are, killing your own, and expelling a group of your own from their homes—conspiring against them in wrongdoing and hostility. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although Religion may be defined as a cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural,

transcendental, or spiritual elements. However, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.

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The Russian Orthodox Church (, alternatively legally known as the Moscow Patriarchate,is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Christian churches, since 15 October 2018 not in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. The Primate of the ROC is the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus’. The ROC, as well as the primate thereof, officially ranks

the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever a messenger comes to you with anything your souls do not desire, you grew arrogant, calling some impostors, and killing others?

And they said, “Our hearts are sealed.” Rather, God has cursed them for their ingratitude.They have little faith.

And when a scripture came to them from God, confirming what they have—although previously they were seeking victory against those who disbelieved—but when there came to them what they recogni-

zed, they disbelieved in it. So God’s curse is upon the disbelievers.

Miserable is what they sold their souls for—rejecting what God has revealed, out of resentment that God would send down His grace upon whomever He chooses from among His servants. Thus they incurred wrath upon wrath. And there is a demeaning punishment for the disbelievers. And when it is said to them, “Believe in what God has revealed,” they say, “We believe in what was revealed to us,” and they reject anything beyond

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We hear and disobey. that, although it is the truth which confirms what they have. Say,“Why did you kill God’s prophets before, if you were believers?”

Moses came to you with clear proofs, yet you adopted the calf in his absence, and you were in the wrong.

And We made a covenant with you, and raised the Mount above you: “Take what We have given you firmly, and listen.”

And their hearts became filled with the love of the calf because of their disbelief. Say, “Wretched is what your faith commands you to do, if you are believers.”

Say, “If the Final Home with God is yours alone, to the exclusion of

all other people, then wish for death if you are sincere.” But they will never wish for it, because of what their hands have forwarded. God is aware of the evildoers.

You will find them, of all mankind, the most eager for life, even more than the polytheists. Every one of them wishes he could live a thousand years; but to be granted a long life will not nudge him from the punishment. God is Seeing of what they do. Say, “Whoever is hostile to Gabriel—it is he who revealed it to your heart by God’s leave, confirming what preceded it, and guidance and good news for the believers.”

Whoever is hostile to God, and His angels, and His messengers, and Gabriel, and Michael—God is hostile

Old Bagan, Myanmar (Burma).

A stupa, also called a pagoda, is a massive structure, typically with a relic chamber inside. The Bagan stupas or pagodas

India, and to a smaller extent to Ceylon.The Bagan-era stupas in turn were the prototypes for later Burmese stupas in terms of symbolism.

evolved from earlier Pyu designs, which in turn were based on the stupa designs of the Andhra region, particularly Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda in present-day south-eastern

37-Holy Places Christ the Redeemer (Portuguese: Cristo Redentor, is an Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with French engineer Albert Caquot.

Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida fashioned the face.

Constructed between 1922 and 1931, the statue is 30 metres (98 ft) high, excluding its 8-metre (26 ft) pedestal. The arms stretch 28 metres (92 ft) wide.

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A Buddhist temple is the place of worship for Buddhists, the followers of Buddhism. They include the structures called vihara, stupa, wat and pagoda in different regions and languages. Temples in Buddhism represent the pure land or pure environment of a Buddha.

Traditional Buddhist temples are designed to inspire inner and outer peace.Its structure and architecture varies from region to region.

Usually, the temple consists not only of its buildings, but also the surrounding environment. The Buddhist temples are designed to symbolize 5 elements: Fire, Air, Earth, Water, and Wisdom.

to the faithless. We have revealed to you clear signs, and none rejects them except the sinners. Is it not that whenever they make a covenant, some of them toss it aside? In fact, most of them do not believe.

And when there came to them a messenger from God, confirming what they had, a faction of those who were given the Book threw the Book of God behind their backs, as if they do not know.

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The Erechtheion or Erechtheum is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.

On the north side, there is another large porch with six Ionic colu-

mns, and on the south, the famous “Porch of the Maidens�, with six draped female figures (caryatids) as supporting columns.

The porch was built to conceal the giant 15-ft beam needed to support the southwest corner over the Kekropion, after the

building was drastically reduced in size and budget following the onset of the Peloponnesian war.

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The first notable example is generally considered to be the Abbey of Saint-Denis, near Paris, whose choir and facade were reconstructed with Gothic features.

The choir was completed in 1144. The style also appeared in some civic architecture.

And they followed what the devils taught during the reign of Solomon.

It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but it was the devils who disbelieved.

They taught the people witchcraft and what was revealed in Babylon to the two angels Harut and Marut.

They did not teach anybody until they had said, “We are a test, so do not lose faith.” But they learned from them the means to cause separation between man and his wife. But they cannot harm anyone except with God’s permission. And they learned what would harm them and not benefit them.Yet they knew

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Early Jewish texts referred to a “western wall of the Temple”,but there is doubt whether the texts were referring to the outer, retaining wall called today “the Western Wall”, or to the

western wall of the actual Temple.The earliest Jewish use of the Hebrew term “ha-kotel ha-ma’aravi”, “the Western Wall”, as referring to the wall visible today, was by the 11th-century.

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CREDITS Free University of Bolzano - Bozen Faculty of Design and Art Bachelor in Design and Art - Major in Design WUP 18/19 | 1st semester foundation course Project Modul: Editorial Design Design by: Asia Maria Andreolli Book | Holy Places

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Supervision: Project leader Prof. Antonino Benincasa Project assistants Maximilian Boiger, Gian Marco Favretto Photography: Adam Bichler Adam Wilson Ali Hegazy April Morales Arthur Yeti Balaji Maliswa Biel Morroe Bruno Aguirre Catherine Dionne Colin Maynard Cristina Gottardi Daja David Martin Evan Wise Faith Yurur Felix Mitterm Frank McKenna Izuddin Helmi Adnan Jack B. Jason Cooper Johannes Plenio Jon Flobrant Jonathan Takle

Jordan Hople Joshua Rodriguez Kasper Rasmuss Laurenz Kleinheider Mattia Faloretti Mg Chtu Michael Bechwit Panida Poonge Raghu Nayyar Robert Nyman Roxanne Desgagnes Ryan Miglinczy Samuel Zeller Sander Wehkamp Sayan Nath Sigurdur Fjalar Jonsson Simon Hattinga Verschure Slava Keyzman Soo Ann Woon Sourabh Agarwal Sven Scheuermeier Waqas Akhtar

Paper: Igloo Offset 140 gr.

Curious Blue 270 gr.

Fonts: Bembo Futura Printed: Bozen-Bolzano, January 2019 Inside pages – Digital Print | Canon Cover – UV-Serigprahy

€ 36.50, $ 37.50, £ 35.80, CHF 37.30