Muslim Kamolon Cemetery In Tashkent

Cemeteries are great places to get a hint at a culture's taste, how the dead are buried, what are believed to be important attributes for eternity. Maybe the Soviet style of burial is your thing. Muslims have their own style, a little overlap with the Soviets, a little unique.

At Kamolon cemetery, an understated mausoleum in the center of the property.

Inside the mausoleum, a simple set of tombs. Grave etchings are common, similar to Soviet style markers. Bonus points for cramming Mecca into your tableau.

An overview of the cemetery.

One unique feature of a Muslim graveyard is the presence of mud mounds. They mostly look new and recently formed, a sign of constant upkeep and maintenance of the graves.

A power couple.

Historic Muslim Sites In Namangan

A classic madrasa and a classic mausoleum are tucked into an old neighborhood of Namangan in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan. Well worth a look.

Here's the pretty facade of the Mullah Kyrgyz madrasa, named after its architect, Usto Kyrgyz. Its classic lines belie its age. Built in 1910.

The Soviets closed it during their occupation. It's been recently restored and is now used as a museum, cultural center and crafts area. Care for a small chair or long tunic? Past the entrance gate, an open, octagonal courtyard. Relaxing.

Down the road from the madrasa sits the big cube mausoleum of Khodjamni Kabri. This structure is a bit older than the madrasa, built around 1720.

Inside, intricate painting, Arabic calligraphy and a dome. 

The mausoleum sits next to an active mosque, quiet before services.

Sunan Ampel Mosque In Surabaya

The most historically significant mosque in Surabaya, Indonesia is named for Sunan Ampel, a Muslim saint. He built the mosque in 1421 and his humble grave can be found behind the structure.

The mosque, looking a little like an old wooden pavilion with a lighthouse as a minaret. It's wedged into an old, cramped neighborhood, also named for Ampel.

Wide verandas and breezeways, appropriate for the tropical heat.

Inside, a lovely symmetry of dark carved posts and woodwork.

Religious texts in a built in bookcase. The family plot for Sunan Ampel.

Back at the mosque, boys praying.

A Chinese Muslim Mosque In Surabya, Indonesia

Indonesia is a Muslim country. Chinese generally practice Buddhism. Perhaps when you immigrate and stay for many generations, you adopt your new home country's religion. Just not its architecture.

The Cheng Hoo Chinese mosque in Surabaya, Indonesia. Muslim in practice, traditional Buddhist temple in style.

Prayer time. Women get the far end of the room.
Prepping for praying, removing shoes and washing up.

Temple, mosque details. Shoe storage and pagoda tiers.

Another Buddhist temple touch, a concrete boat scene and fish pond. A far cry from typical Muslim Moorish architecture style.

A Visit To The Ubudiah Royal Mosque In Kuala Kangsar

James was lucky to stop by a mosque in the central state of Perak for a little of Friday morning prayers. It's the only time of the week that women are allowed out from behind the separation curtain and can worship in the main area of the mosque.

The mosque, looking glorious on a sunny morning.

Domed interior and women ready for prayer.

Mosque worker.

Details, someone's lone footwear left behind and a collection of Qurans.

Another lovely look at Friday morning prayers at the mosque.

Around Jama Masjid

The mosque, Jama Masjid, in Old Delhi is the center of a lively Muslim quarter. If you plan on wandering over to pray a few times a day, get set to run several gauntlets of shops, restaurants, table vendors and tea stands. It's basic supply and demand and both are overflowing.

One of the busy streets near the mosque.

A gentleman lighting his cigarette with a rope. A rope? Men hanging at the tea shop.

A dry goods vendor.

The chicken corner guys, busy on the grill. This photo has not been color enhanced. The butcher, working his sharp magic on goats.
More time at the tea stall.

More views of the action.