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Similar Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim A, The Corniche, Aspire Park, Katara Cultural Village, Grand Mosque | ||
Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center (commonly known simply as Bin Zaid, also known previously as Fanar or Qatar Islamic Culture Center and Spiral Mosque) is a cultural organization in Doha, the capital of Qatar. It is located close to Doha Corniche and is a prominent landmark in the city.
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The center's most distinguished feature is its mosque which has a unique minaret design. Prior to 2009, Fanar's mosque was the largest in the country. It has since been over taken in this category by Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, however, it remains the tallest mosque in Qatar.
The mosque was named after the famous Qatari Islamic Scholar and The founder of the Qatari Judicial System Sheikh Abdulla bin Zaid Al-Mahmoud. The name was given by the Precious Emir of Qatar to commomorate the memory of his achievements during his tenure as the supreme judge of Qatar.
Activities
Fanar Culture Center is involved in several social, religious and educational activities. In addition to hosting one of the largest mosques in Qatar, the center also publishes religious studies and provides lessons in Arabic and Islam. The center also houses a library. The mosque is a popular tourist attraction and allows entry for non-Muslims.
Many Muslim personalities have made appearances at the center, such as Yusuf Estes, Bilal Philips and Mouad Gouzrou.
Mosque architecture
Traditional Qatari mosques were made of coral rock, mud and wood, as opposed to the mosques from the 21st century built of brick and mortar. These materials now allow the construction of high domes, replacing the flat roofs composed of four layers depicted in the model above. Moreover, traditional mosques featured courtyards, which are rarely seen in modern mosques. Finally, the traditional outdoor "mothawaddah" in the form of a pool has been replaced with wash basins and running water.