GBA Sunshine Mosque, Ardeer, Victoria

Islamic Components

Some of the Islamic components are presented here.These components include: (a)Minaret - a tall tower which is traditionally a landmark to broadcast prayer call. In this case, the minaret of Sunshine mosque is considered a later type, which has a square base,octagonal centre and cylindrical top, also conical roof on the very top typifies a Turkish Islamic form. (b) Mihrab, Qibla & Minbar - For Muslim, prayer has to be done facing Qibla, the direction towards Mecca. Mihrab, an ornamental niche is placed at the midpoint of Qibla wall.

While Minbar is a crowned pulpit where sermon is delivered.

The mihrab,which was highly decorated with sophisticated pattern tiles, stands out from all of the components in the hall.

Sunshine Mosque

Besides, courtyard is a place for leisure activities, as well as celebrating major festivals such as Kurban and Ramadan. Two rooms around the courtyard are worth-mentioning : a function room which was the original site for prayer, and burial preparation room for ritual cleansing.

1.HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Sunshine mosque, also known as the Cyprus Turkish Islamic Society mosque, is the biggest mosque in Victoria. It was fully aided by Cypriots, which gathers predominantly in the western suburbs. Nowadays, this mosque serves Muslims from distant parts of Victoria. The purchase of original site at Ballarat road, Sunshine in 1984. It was an important decision for the community. It operated as a community centre, before the construction of the mosque in 1992. A great facilitator of the construction is Mr Hassan Dellal, which is also the founder of the society. He envisioned a mosque representing The Blue Mosque of Istanbul.

The original intention of the construction of this mosque is to bring a tad of magnificent Turkish Islamic elements to Victoria. Now, for Turkish Cypriots, this mosque is an important visible symbol of Muslim identity and values. This building is not only remarkable in terms of religious function, but in a wider context it represents a bridge between Australians and International Islamic Community.

Fig.5: The relations of Islamic components including: minaret, minbar, mihrab Fig.6: Prayers are done facing qibla wall, which mihrab and minabar are placed.

Fig.3: Site plan sketch, a general impression of the interior spatial organization. This mosque is a simpler version of Ottoman mosques, minor elements such as fountains are omitted .

Fig.7: The highly deocrated minbar, these mosaics with calligraphy and arabesque patterns are imported from turkey

Fig.4: minaret with a square base,octagonal centre cylindrical top and conical roof

2. PLANNING,COMPONENT & FUNCTION

Sunshine mosque consists of a prayer hall (haram), a courtyard (sahn) and several arcades(riwaq) which surrounds the previous two space . The main function of the mosque is to provide a house for the congregation at prayer. Besides, this place is also reserved for the organization of communal activities and traditional Islamic funerals. The prayer hall is where Friday prayers and formal lectures are conducted. Unlike churches, there are no benches in this space, because Muslims may move while praying.

The upper floor of the hall is allocated for women.

Fig.2: Elevation of Sunshine mosque, dome structure is prominent in this mosque.

Goh Jin Er 1063298 Fig.6

Fig.7

Dome, drum and pendentive

3. STYLE AND FORMS

Dome structure is prominent in the Turkish mosques, it is in fact one of the Islamic’s largest contributions to Architecture. The function of the dome is to emphasize the central areas of worship, thus it is installed with extra flamboyance.

The architecture style of Sunshine Mosque mainly refers to Ottoman Architecture, while the creation of dome is from Byzantine influence. The mosque is characterised by having a big central dome, accentuate by semi-domes and smaller domes. Although the scale is not massive as in Turkish, through utilizing the sacred geometry--circle and sphere, balance and cohesion are seen within the structure.

While pendentive is also an important Islamic development from the squinch. It is formed by having small squinch arch in each corner flanked by two further arches.

The building consists of a total of 19 domes and 4 semi-domes.

At the prayer hall, there is a huge central dome sits on a drum and connects with four semi-domes with pendentives, all with equal radius R. While at each corner of the hall, four domes with ½ R are presented. 14 small domes surrounded the prayer hall on the outer arcade(riwaq). 24 windows are seen on the drum of the main dome, this allows light in, created a more divine and sacred atmosphere.

Fig.12: Mosque lamp with Qu’ran inscriptions, imported from Turkish.

Fig.9 Fig. 8: Drum is clearly visible from a high outer view, window allows light travels in.

Fig. 9: Plan sketch of the prayer hall, haram, intended to show the relationship of radius in each dome. It is surroudned by domed arcades.

Fig.13: Calligraphy details of the mosque, it was purely done by painting, which differs from western architecture that incorporate sculptures .

Fig.8

Calligraphy

Fig.11: the relationship of interior domes: central dome, semi-domes, drum and pendentives. Also, sophisticated patterns and Islamic calligraphy can be observed here.

Fig.10: Explanation of dome support and features,a drum is a cylindrical wall with the same radius as the dome while pendentive is the curve whichwould create a sphere with a greater radius than the dome.

4.INTERIOR DECORATIONS

Sunshine Mosque can be described as plain and simple from outside view. However, the interior is embellished with paintings, mosaics and gold leaves, making it rich and sumptuous. This dramatic difference is often seen in Muslim world, intending to conceal the sacred inner space from the outside view. Visual complexity of colours and patterns on surfaces is another remarkable feature of the mosque. Through the expanding and repetition of pattern, it forms an illusion of infinite space.

Fig.10

Among the three types of major Islamic ornamentations, which is calligraphy, arabesque and geometry, calligraphy is the most valued.

In Sunshine mosque, such ornamentations are especially seen within the central dome structure and mihrab. The central dome is decorated with Islamic Calligraphy that refers to Ottoman Empire,and painted by Turkish artists. Chapters or verses from Qu’ran are selected as a representation of supernaturality.(3) 99 attributes of Allah, also known as the names of God in Islam are written on the drum . This also further emphasizes the sacredness of the space, as a place for meditation. Floral elements are combined within calligraphy, making the text not just iconographic but exquisite. Besides central dome, the usage of calligraphy can be seen on mosaics on mihrab and mosque lamps.

Goh Jin Er 1063298

Name: Goh Jin Er Student No.: 1063298 Course code: ABPL10004 Tutor: Helen Stitt Wednesday 1pm-2pm

Sunshine Mosque 1.Historical Context Sunshine mosque, also known as the Cyprus Turkish Islamic Society mosque, is the biggest mosque in Victoria.1 It was fully aided by Cypriots, which gathers predominantly in the western suburbs. Nowadays, this mosque serves Muslims from distant parts of Victoria. The purchase of original site at Ballarat road, Sunshine in 1984 was an important decision for the community. It operated as a community centre, before the construction of the mosque in 1992.2 A great facilitator of the construction is Mr Hassan Dellal, which is also the founder of the society. He envisioned a mosque representing The Blue Mosque of Istanbul. 3 The original intention of the construction of this mosque is to bring a tad of magnificent Turkish Islamic elements to Victoria. For Turkish Cypriots, this mosque is an important visible symbol of Muslim identity and values. This building is not only remarkable in terms of religious function, but in a wider context it represents a bridge between Australians and International Islamic Community.

2. Planning,Component & Function Sunshine mosque consists of a prayer hall (haram), a courtyard (sahn) and several arcades(riwaq) which surrounds the previous two space.4 The main function of the mosque is to provide a house for the congregation at prayer.Besides, this place is also reserved for the organization of communal activities and traditional Islamic funerals. The prayer hall is where Friday prayers and formal lectures are conducted. Unlike churches, there are no benches in this space, because Muslims may move while praying. The upper floor of the hall is allocated for women.

Some of the Islamic components are presented here.These components include: (a)Minaret - a tall tower which is traditionally a landmark to broadcast prayer call. In this case, the minaret of Sunshine mosque is considered a later type, which has a square .“History”. Sunshine Mosque. Accessed September 2019. https://www.sunshinemosque.com.au/history 2 Serkan Hussein,Yesterday and Today: Turkish Cypriots of Australia (Melbourne: PromozPlus, 2007),24-25 3 Hussein,Yesterday and Today, 89-90 4 Martin Frishman, Hasan-Uddin Khan, and Mohammad Al-Asad. The Mosque : History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity (New York: Thames and Hudson, 1994),37 1

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Name: Goh Jin Er Student No.: 1063298 Course code: ABPL10004 Tutor: Helen Stitt Wednesday 1pm-2pm

base,octagonal centre and cylindrical top5, also conical roof6 on the very top typifies a Turkish Islamic form. (b) Mihrab, Qibla & Minbar - For Muslim, prayer has to be done facing Qibla, the direction towards Mecca. Mihrab, an ornamental niche is placed at the midpoint of Qibla wall.7 While Minbar is a crowned pulpit where sermon is delivered. The mihrab,which was highly decorated with sophisticated pattern tiles, stands out from all of the components in the hall.

Courtyard is a place for leisure activities, as well as celebrating major festivals such as Kurban and Ramadan. Two rooms around the courtyard are worth-mentioning : a function room which was the original site for prayer, and burial preparation room for ritual cleansing.

3. Style and forms The architecture style of Sunshine Mosque mainly refers to Ottoman Architecture, while the creation of dome is from Byzantine influence. The mosque is characterised by having a big central dome, accentuate by semi-domes and smaller domes. Although the scale is not massive as in Turkish, through utilizing the sacred geometry--circle and sphere, balance and cohesion are seen within the structure.

Dome, drum and pendentive Dome structure is prominent in the Turkish mosques, it is in fact one of the Islamic’s largest contributions to Architecture. The function of the dome is to emphasize the central areas of worship, thus it is installed with extra flamboyance.

To define the terms, a drum is a cylindrical wall with the same radius as the dome while pendentive is the curve which would create a sphere with a greater radius than the dome.

While pendentive is also an important Islamic development from the squinch. It is formed by having small squinch arch in each corner flanked by two further arches.8 The building consists of a total of 19 domes and 4 semi-domes. At the prayer hall, there is a huge central dome sits on a drum and connects with four semi-domes with Ernst J.Grube et al., Architecture of the Islamic World : Its History and Social Meaning ed.George Michell (New York: Thames and Hudson, 1984 ),143 6 Razia Grover, Mosques / Razia Grover. Sacred Sites. (New Delhi, India: Roli Books, 2006),79 5

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Martin Frishman,Khan and Al-Asad,The Mosque, 37.

Ernst J.Grube et al., Architecture of the Islamic World ,143 2

Name: Goh Jin Er Student No.: 1063298 Course code: ABPL10004 Tutor: Helen Stitt Wednesday 1pm-2pm

pendentives, all with equal radius R. While at each corner of the hall, four domes with ½ R are presented. 14 small domes surrounded the prayer hall on the outer arcade(riwaq).

24 windows are seen on the drum of the main dome, this allows light in, created a more divine and sacred atmosphere.

4.Interior decorations Sunshine Mosque can be described as plain and simple from outside view. However, the interior is embellished with paintings, mosaics and gold leaves, making it rich and sumptuous. This dramatic difference is often seen in Muslim world, intending to conceal the sacred inner space from the outside view.9 Visual complexity of colours and patterns on surfaces is another remarkable feature of the mosque. Through the expanding and repetition of pattern, it forms an illusion of infinite space.

Among the three types of major Islamic ornamentations, which is calligraphy, arabesque and geometry, calligraphy is the most valued. In Sunshine mosque, such ornamentations are especially seen within the central dome structure and mihrab. The central dome is decorated with Islamic Calligraphy that refers to Ottoman Empire,and painted by Turkish artists. Chapters or verses from Qu’ran are selected as a representation of supernaturality.10 99 attributes of Allah, also known as the names of God in Islam are written on the drum . This also further emphasizes the sacredness of the space, as a place for meditation. Floral elements are combined within calligraphy, making the text not just iconographic but exquisite. Besides central dome, the usage of calligraphy can be seen on mosaics on mihrab and mosque lamps.

9 10

Martin Frishman,Khan and Al-Asad,The Mosque, 41.

Ernst J.Grube et al., Architecture of the Islamic World ,143 3

Name: Goh Jin Er Student No.: 1063298 Course code: ABPL10004 Tutor: Helen Stitt Wednesday 1pm-2pm

Biblography: Hillenbrand, Robert. Islamic Architecture : Form, Function, and Meaning / Robert Hillenbrand. Casebound ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 1994.

Grover, Razia. Mosques / Razia Grover. Sacred Sites. New Delhi, India: Roli Books, 2006.

Frishman, Martin., Hasan-Uddin Khan, and Mohammad. Al-Asad. The Mosque : History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity / Edited by Martin Frishman and HasanUddin Khan ; Texts by Mohammad Al-Asad ...[et Al.]. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1994.

Sunshine Mosque. “History”. Accessed September 2019. https://www.sunshinemosque.com.au/history Hussein,Serkan. Yesterday and Today: Turkish Cypriots of Australia. Melbourne: PromozPlus, 2007.

Lewis, Miles [ed.]. “Domes” & “ Hagia Sophia”. In Architectura: Elements of Architectural Style, Lane Cove[NSW]: Global Book Publishing,2008,220-224,228-229 Author (surname, given name). Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, year.

Grube, Ernst J., D., James, O., Grabar, E.,Sims, R.Lewcock, D. Jones, G.T. Petherbridge, Architecture of the Islamic World : Its History and Social Meaning. Ed. by George Michell. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1984.

List of Figures: Fig.2 Sunshine mosque facebook. Profile Picture,2019. Accessed on September,2019.https://www.facebook.com/SunshineMosque/photos/a.464664451634/101570 58003181635/?type=3&theater

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Name: Goh Jin Er Student No.: 1063298 Course code: ABPL10004 Tutor: Helen Stitt Wednesday 1pm-2pm Fig.5 Sunshine mosque facebook. Mobile Uploads,2018. Accessed on September,2019.https://www.facebook.com/SunshineMosque/photos/a.10151477543106

635/10156357961511635/?type=3&theater Fig.9 Sunshine mosque facebook.Timeline photos ,2017. Accessed on September,2019.https://www.facebook.com/SunshineMosque/photos/a.10151477543106635/1 0155178202631635/?type=3&theater Fig.10 Sunshine mosque facebook. Profile Picture, 2019. Accessed on September,2019.https://www.facebook.com/SunshineMosque/photos/a.464664451634/1

0152587426481635/?type=3&theater Fig.11 Sunshine mosque facebook. Timeline Photos,2019. Accessed on

https://www.facebook.com/SunshineMosque/photos/a.10151477543106635/101573488 17176635/?type=3&theater

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