Chapter-1 Theoretical Framework of the Study
Colors of Islam
Why Islam?
As of 2010, over 1.6 billion or about 23.4% of the world population are Muslims. Of these, around 62% live in Asia-Pacific, 20% in the Middle East-North Africa,15% in Sub-Saharan Africa, around 3% in Europe and 0.3% in the Americas.
Map of the world of Muslim majority areas More than one billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. Hence, if we target such huge crowd and motivate them to travel for Islamic faith then travel industry can see some tremendous changes.
Islam at Glance
About Islam:
The Arabic word “Islam” means peace, submission and obedience. The religion of Islam consists of the complete acceptance of the teaching and guidance of god as revealed to his prophet Mohammad. The Muslim is one who believes in god and strives for the total reorganization of one’s life according to the guidance revealed by god in the Quran and saying of the prophet. A Muslim also works to create a human society on same basis. Islam teaches the sanctity of the person and confers equal right upon the entire regardless race, gender, color or other external differences. The word “Allah” is the proper name of god in Arabic. It is a unique term and has no plural or feminine forms. The Quran is the last revealed word of god and the basis source of Islamic teaching and laws. It deals with foundation of creeds, morality, the history of humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, the relationship of god to man and man to god and all aspects of interpersonal relationships. Islam enjoins faith in oneness and sovereignty of Allah, for this makes an individual aware of the meaningfulness of the universe and of his or her place in it. This belief frees one from all fears and superstitions by making him conscious of the presence of Allah and of man’s obligations towards him. Belief in one god requires that we look upon all human beings as one family under the universal omnipotence of Aliah, who has created and nourishes all parts of his creation. Islam rejects the idea of a chosen people by stating clearly that one must have faith in god and do good works in good action in order to gain entrance to heaven. Thus direct relationship between god and each individual is established.
Islamic Faiths:
Allah: Allah is the name Muslims use for the supreme and unique God, who created and rules everything. The heart of faith for all Muslims is obedience to Allah's will. Muslims believes that, Allah is eternal, omniscient, and omnipotent. Allah has always existed and will always exist. Allah knows everything that can be known. Allah can do anything that can be done. Allah has no shape or form. Allah can't be seen. Allah can't be heard. Allah is neither male nor female. Allah rewards and punishes fairly. But Allah is also merciful. A believer can approach Allah by praying, and by reciting the Qur'an. Muslims worship only Allah as per them only Allah is worthy of worship. All Muslims believe that God is one alone; God has no children, no parents, and no partners; God was not created by a being; There are no equal, superior, or lesser Gods.
Five Pillars of Islam: The most important Muslim practices are the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam. The Five Pillars consist of: Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca
Why are they important? Carrying out these obligations provides the framework of a Muslim's life, and weaves their everyday activities and their beliefs into a single cloth of religious devotion. No matter how sincerely a person may believe, Islam regards it as pointless to live life without putting that faith into action and practice. Carrying out the Five Pillars demonstrates that the Muslim is putting their faith first, and not just trying to fit it in around their secular lives. Muslims have six main beliefs: ? Belief in Allah as the one and only God. ? Belief in angels. ? Belief in the holy books. ? Belief in the Prophets. e.g. Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Dawud (David), Isa (Jesus). Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final prophet. ? Belief in the Day of Judgment. The day when the life of every human being will be assessed to decide whether they go to heaven or hell. ? Belief in Predestination That Allah has the knowledge of all that will happen. Muslims believe that this doesn't stop human beings making free choices.
Muslim holy days: There are only two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic law. There are several other special days that Muslims celebrate, although some Muslims disapprove of adding extra festivals. There are only two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic law: Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha (Eid or Id is a word meaning festival).
Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad) Shia Muslims celebrate this 5 days later. Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation.
Milad un Nabi Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims celebrate this 5 days earlier. Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation.
Ramadan (start) Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting.
Lailat al Qadr Lailat al Qadr, the Night of Power, marks the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah.
Eid-Ul-Fitr The end of Ramadan when Muslims celebrate the end of fasting and thank Allah for His help with their month-long act of self-control.
Eid-Ul-Adha Festival of Sacrifice marking the day after Arafat. The Day of Arafat is the most important day in the Hajj ritual. This is a four day holiday
Al-Hijira Islamic New Year. Marks the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina
Ashura Islamic holy day observed on the 10th of the Islamic month of Muharram. Shi'ite Muslims regard it as a major commemoration marking the martydom of the Prophet's grandson, Hussein..
Mosques:
Mosque is a Holy place for Muslims. Many Muslims travel every year to visit different Masjids in the world. A Mosque is a place for worship for all the followers of Islam. Mosques all around the world are well known for the general importance to Muslims as well as for Islamic architecture and representation of Islamic culture. Although Mosque is the place where all the Muslims of the community come together and have their prayers, Mosque can also be the place of beautiful architecture that is famous all around the world. About different mosque in the world: 1) Masjid al-Haram
Mecca, Saudi Arabia Al-Masjid Al-Haram is located in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds one of Islam's holiest places, the Kaaba. Muslims face in the direction of the Kaaba while performing formal worship, salah. One of the Five Pillars of Islam requires every Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime if able to do so, includes circumambulation of the Kaaba . The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square metres (88.2 acres) including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to two million worshipers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world. According to Islamic tradition the very first construction of the Kaaba, the heart of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, was undertaken by Abraham. The Qur'an said that this was the first house built for humanity to worship Allah.
2) Al-Masjid an-Nabawi:
Medina, Hejaz, Saudi Arabia Al-Masjid al-Nabaw? often called the Prophet's Mosque is a mosque built by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad situated in the city of Medina. It is the second holiest site in Islam. It was the second mosque built in history and is now one of the largest mosques in the world. After an expansion during the reign of al-Walid I, it also now incoporates the site of the final resting place of Muhammad and early Muslim leaders Abu Bakr and Umar. The mosque also served as a community center, a court, and a religious school. 3) Al-Aqsa Mosque
Old City of Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Mosque also known as Al-Aqsa and Bayt al-Muqaddas, is the third holiest site in Islam and is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The site on which the silver domed mosque sits, along with the Dome of the Rock, also referred to as al-Haram ash-Sharif or "Noble Sanctuary," is the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, the place where the Temple is
generally accepted to have stood. Muslims believe that Muhammad was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey. Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad led prayers towards this site until the seventeenth month after the emigration, when God directed him to turn towards the Ka'aba. The mosque was originally a small prayer house built by the Rashidun caliph Umar, but was rebuilt and expanded by the Umayyad caliph Abd alMalik and finished by his son al-Walid in 705 CE. After an earthquake in 746, the mosque was completely destroyed and rebuilt by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 754, and again rebuilt by his successor al-Mahdi in 780. Another earthquake destroyed most of al-Aqsa in 1033, but two years later the Fatimid caliph Ali az-Zahir built another mosque which has stood to the presentday.
4) Umayyad Mosque
Damascus, Syria The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus or formerly the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, located in the old city of Damascus, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. It is considered by some Muslims to be the fourth-holiest place in Islam. After the Arab conquest of Damascus in 634, the mosque was built on the site of a Christian basilica dedicated to John the Baptist (Yahya). The mosque holds a shrine which today may still contain the head of John the Baptist, honored as a prophet by both Christians and
Muslims alike, and is believed to be the place where Isa (Jesus) will return at the End of Days. The tomb of Saladin stands in a small garden adjoining the north wall of the mosque.
About Islamic art and architecture: Islamic art: Islamic art is not at all restricted to religious art, but includes all the art of the rich and varied cultures of Islamic societies as well. It frequently includes secular elements and elements that are frowned upon, if not forbidden, by some Islamic theologians. Apart from the ever-present calligraphic inscriptions, specifically religious art is actually less prominent in Islamic art than in Western medieval art, with the exception of Islamic architecture where mosques and their complexes of surrounding buildings are the most common remains. Figurative painting may cover religious scenes, but normally in essentially secular contexts such as the walls of palaces or illuminated books of poetry. The calligraphy and decoration of manuscript Qu'rans is an important aspect, but other religious art such as glass mosque lamps and other mosque fittings such as tiles (e.g. Girih tiles), woodwork and carpets usually have the same style and motifs as contemporary secular art, although with religious inscriptions even more prominent.
Islamic Architecture: Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day. What today is known as Islamic architecture owes its origin to similar structures already existing in Roman, Byzantine and Persian lands which the Muslims conquered in the 7th and 8th centuries. The principal Islamic architectural types are: the Mosque, the Tomb, the Palace and the Fort. From these four types, the vocabulary of Islamic architecture is derived and used for buildings of less importance such as public baths, fountains and domestic architecture.
Chapter-2 A New Concept Islamic Festival
Islam Festival
Muslims live in many different countries and communities, and it can be difficult to isolate points of cultural unity among Muslims, besides their adherence to the religion of Islam. Muslims broadly cover many diverse religious groups: the Asian Muslim culture, the Middle Eastern, the African, the European and American Muslims, each with their own variations on customs and traditions. Some customs and traditions may be more motivated by culture than by religion. All of these diverse expressions of the same faith can make the question of “protocol” a complicated issue. Hence, Islamic Festival will be held to bring together all Muslims with single ideology across the globe. This festival will be a single window to showcase the tradition, culture and celebrations of Islam. In this festival one can enjoy different type of food like Indian food, Afghani food, Arabian food etc. One can see different documentary shows on different Muslim people. This festival will give platform to Muslim communities to showcase their talent in different cultural shows. This festival also offers training center where Muslim can learn etiquette of life which taught by Allah. Muslim will also get chance to visit replica of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Mecca & Al-Masjid al-Nabaw?, Medina in this festival. Apart from these Mosques, visitors can see different replicas of famous mosques. This festival is also open for non – Muslims also to remove myth. As every tourist fascinated towards Dubai, this festival will held in Dubai which will boom Dubai revenue in future. So we welcome you to this Islamic festival.
Section I
Replica of Mosque: In this section, there will be separate entry/exit points for Muslims & Non – Muslim people (As per Islam, Non-Muslim people cannot visit Mecca or Medina). Non – Muslim people can visit, learn about different mosques in this section. Main concept behind this section is to get chance to see Replica of Masjid al-Haram, Mecca & Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina mosque to those Muslim people who cannot afford to visit Mecca & Medina in actual.
Section II
Security Check: Large number of visitors can visit this festival every day, hence this festival can be potential targets for terrorism and other form of crime. Therefore, visitors have to undergo security check process. Visitors are screened by metal detectors & explosive detection machines. Islamic Wear: This section will be divided into two parts: 1) Traditional Wear: Here, visitors will find all the different types of traditional wear like kafni, Chador, Kurta – Paijama, Hijab, Al – Amira, Shayla, Khimar etc. 2) Modern Wear: Here visitors will find branded, semi – branded cloths for purchase. Brands like Peter England, S.Kumar, Raymond, Levis, Provogue, Diesel will be allowed to open their shops in this section.
Cultural Section: This section will be dedicated to different Islamic cultural activities. This section will be open at 5pm to till 10 pm. This section will be dividing into 3 parts: a) Dance – Here visitors can enjoy different traditional dance forms with family. From 10pm to 11 pm visitors are allowed to dance in one part of this section. b) Singing – Here visitors can enjoy different singing performances which will include Noad, Salam, Quawali, Milan Sharif, Gazals, Sufi and Arabic songs etc. c) Fashion Shows – Here visitors can enjoy fashion show of Islamic wear.
Art & Architecture: In this section visitors can enjoy different Islamic Art like Calligraphy, Paintings, Rugs & Carpets, Ceramics, Tiling, Glass art, Metal Work etc. and Islamic Architecture like miniatures of Turkistan architecture, Indo – Islamic Architecture, Sino – Islamic Architecture, Indonesian – Malay Architecture, Somali – Islamic Architecture etc. This section will divide country wise
Library: Writing books have high status in Islam. Hence, Islam has different literature. Many famous literature will be kept in one section where Muslims and non – Muslims can read this religious books. One separate section will be dedicated for Quran where non – Muslims will not allow.
Training Center: Islam provides specific guidelines for all people to follow in their daily lives. Its guidance is comprehensive and includes the social, economic, political, moral, and spiritual aspects of life. The Quran reminds man of the purpose of his life, of his duties and obligations towards himself, his family and relatives, his community, his fellow human beings and his creator. All this fundamental guidelines of life will be taught by Mufti, Hafiz and Quan’s. This center will be open at 8 am till 7pm.
Food Court: Food Court will be open at 10 am to 10pm. Food court will be divide into different sections: a) Food Malls like KFC, Mc. Donald, Subway & other food malls b) Indian and Pakistani Restaurants c) Afghani Restaurants d) Arabian Food Section e) Thai Food f) Fruit Section Visitors will not allow to eat food outside the food court; visitors can only carry water bottle and fruits outside the food court.
Chapter-3 Research Methodology
Research Methodology
Introduction:
This chapter presents the research methodology used for the project. It discussed the various aspect of the study, method of selecting sample travel agencies and sample population. The chapter also presents the limitation of the study.
Scope of the Study:
This project attempts to research on new concept of Islamic Festival. This festival has many social as well as economical angles.
Universe of the Study:
This study aims to find out whether Islamic Festival can remove the myth about Islam, can it help to boost tourism industry in many ways. Sample: Considering large number of universe, it was decided to take sample for the study. Further considering the constraints of time, physical and financial resources available. It was decided to take sample 4 travel agencies and 50 people of different age and religion. Limitation of the study: Though attempts have been to make certain generalizations based on the results of the study, it suffers from certain limitations. Therefore, while generalizing the results, following factors should taken into consideration:1. The result of the study based on sample population and 4 travel agencies. It is may not be sufficient because consumer behavior is complex thing. Every consumer has different view than others.
Questionnaire
Part I Name of the Company: Designation of Interviewer: Part II
1) In your opinion, Muslim people motivate to travel to visit different mosques, Islamic art & architecture? Yes No
2) In your opinion, Islamic festival would be second option for Muslim communities to visit Mecca & Medina mosques? Yes No Maybe
3) In your opinion, such festivals can help Muslim communities to come under single ideology? Yes No Maybe
4) In your opinion, this festival can increase tourist traffic in Dubai tremendously? Yes No Maybe
5) In your opinion, will this concept/project/idea run for long term? Yes No Maybe
6) Would you like to add this festival in your Dubai holiday package? Yes No
Signature & Seal
Analysis
In industry analysis, it understood that many Muslim people travel different places in the world to visit different mosques, Islamic art and architecture. Followers of Islam are passionate about to see different Islamic art & architecture in the world. But as per industry survey, the concept Islamic festival may be or may not be work. Reason behind this, Muslim communities are sensitive about their religion. Concept of Replica may or may not be work; it does all depend upon how this community accepts this idea. Other concept like, Islamic food, wear, cultural shows, training center, library, art galleries, miniature of architecture etc. can work tremendously. As per industry opinion, such festival can help Muslim communities to come under single ideology of Islam. As some customs and traditions of this community are motivated by different region than the religion. Training center and Library will be a single window to show case their traditions and customs. Dubai would be the ideal place for such festival, as Dubai is one of the tourism oriented country in the globe. Dubai would accept this idea as it will encourage their income source as well as this may be paradise place for followers of Islam in future. As per industry survey it understood that, if people accept this concept positively then this festival can give huge benefit to tourism industry for long term and every holiday making company would like to add this festival in their itinerary.
Questionnaire
Part I Name: Age: Religion: Part II
1) Would you like to travel for religious, art, architecture and culture purpose? Only Religious Only Culture Only Art, Arch.& Culture Only Art & Architecture Only religion & Culture All of the above
2) Would you like to see replica of different famous mosques? Yes No 3) Would you like to learn about Islam religion? Yes No
4) Would you like to see different Islamic art & Architecture? Yes No 5) Would you like to purchase different Islamic wear? Yes No 6) Would you like to have different Islamic food in Islamic Festival? Yes No 7) Would you like to spend your holiday in Dubai? Yes If yes, would you like to visit Islamic Festival? Yes No
No
Signature
Analysis
Travel for religious, art & architecture and culture purpose:
Travel Motivator
Religion A&A Culture Religion & Culture A&A and Culture All of the above
According to public survey, 50% people would like to travel for religious, culture, art and architecture purpose. 20% says they would like to travel for culture, art and architecture purpose. 16% people would like to travel for only religious purpose. 14% people says they would like to travel for religious as well as culture purpose.
Concept of replica of Mosque:
Replica Concept of Mosque
Yes No
84% people would like to see replica of mosques. 16% people are in oppose with replica concept.
People who like to know more about Islam:
like to know more about Islam
Yes No
84% people say, they would like to know more about Islam.
People who like to visit Islamic Festival
Islamic Festival
Yes No
64% people like the concept of Islamic festival. They would like to visit Islamic Festival during their holiday.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Islamic world wishes to live at peace with the West as well as the East. It wishes to devote its resources and energies for building a better life for people on the basis of the teachings of Islam and not to squander its resources in either internal or external conflicts. It seeks finally to create better understanding and to be better understood by the World. The destinies of the Islamic world can serve their own people more successfully and also contribute to a better life for the whole of humanity. And Islamic Festival can play a vital role to bring all Islamic people together to serve their community in better way.
Bibliography
Bibliography
Books: What is Islam Religion Means? Etiquette of Life in Islam Mufti, Muhammad Sarvar Farukhi Nadvi Muhammad Yusuf Islahi
Websites: en.wikipedia.org www.al-islam.org www.bbc.co.uk www.islamcan.com
doc_340815567.docx
Colors of Islam
Why Islam?
As of 2010, over 1.6 billion or about 23.4% of the world population are Muslims. Of these, around 62% live in Asia-Pacific, 20% in the Middle East-North Africa,15% in Sub-Saharan Africa, around 3% in Europe and 0.3% in the Americas.
Map of the world of Muslim majority areas More than one billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. Hence, if we target such huge crowd and motivate them to travel for Islamic faith then travel industry can see some tremendous changes.
Islam at Glance
About Islam:
The Arabic word “Islam” means peace, submission and obedience. The religion of Islam consists of the complete acceptance of the teaching and guidance of god as revealed to his prophet Mohammad. The Muslim is one who believes in god and strives for the total reorganization of one’s life according to the guidance revealed by god in the Quran and saying of the prophet. A Muslim also works to create a human society on same basis. Islam teaches the sanctity of the person and confers equal right upon the entire regardless race, gender, color or other external differences. The word “Allah” is the proper name of god in Arabic. It is a unique term and has no plural or feminine forms. The Quran is the last revealed word of god and the basis source of Islamic teaching and laws. It deals with foundation of creeds, morality, the history of humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, the relationship of god to man and man to god and all aspects of interpersonal relationships. Islam enjoins faith in oneness and sovereignty of Allah, for this makes an individual aware of the meaningfulness of the universe and of his or her place in it. This belief frees one from all fears and superstitions by making him conscious of the presence of Allah and of man’s obligations towards him. Belief in one god requires that we look upon all human beings as one family under the universal omnipotence of Aliah, who has created and nourishes all parts of his creation. Islam rejects the idea of a chosen people by stating clearly that one must have faith in god and do good works in good action in order to gain entrance to heaven. Thus direct relationship between god and each individual is established.
Islamic Faiths:
Allah: Allah is the name Muslims use for the supreme and unique God, who created and rules everything. The heart of faith for all Muslims is obedience to Allah's will. Muslims believes that, Allah is eternal, omniscient, and omnipotent. Allah has always existed and will always exist. Allah knows everything that can be known. Allah can do anything that can be done. Allah has no shape or form. Allah can't be seen. Allah can't be heard. Allah is neither male nor female. Allah rewards and punishes fairly. But Allah is also merciful. A believer can approach Allah by praying, and by reciting the Qur'an. Muslims worship only Allah as per them only Allah is worthy of worship. All Muslims believe that God is one alone; God has no children, no parents, and no partners; God was not created by a being; There are no equal, superior, or lesser Gods.
Five Pillars of Islam: The most important Muslim practices are the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam. The Five Pillars consist of: Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca
Why are they important? Carrying out these obligations provides the framework of a Muslim's life, and weaves their everyday activities and their beliefs into a single cloth of religious devotion. No matter how sincerely a person may believe, Islam regards it as pointless to live life without putting that faith into action and practice. Carrying out the Five Pillars demonstrates that the Muslim is putting their faith first, and not just trying to fit it in around their secular lives. Muslims have six main beliefs: ? Belief in Allah as the one and only God. ? Belief in angels. ? Belief in the holy books. ? Belief in the Prophets. e.g. Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Dawud (David), Isa (Jesus). Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final prophet. ? Belief in the Day of Judgment. The day when the life of every human being will be assessed to decide whether they go to heaven or hell. ? Belief in Predestination That Allah has the knowledge of all that will happen. Muslims believe that this doesn't stop human beings making free choices.
Muslim holy days: There are only two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic law. There are several other special days that Muslims celebrate, although some Muslims disapprove of adding extra festivals. There are only two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic law: Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha (Eid or Id is a word meaning festival).
Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad) Shia Muslims celebrate this 5 days later. Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation.
Milad un Nabi Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims celebrate this 5 days earlier. Some Muslims do not approve of celebrating the birthday, and regard doing so as a religious innovation.
Ramadan (start) Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting.
Lailat al Qadr Lailat al Qadr, the Night of Power, marks the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah.
Eid-Ul-Fitr The end of Ramadan when Muslims celebrate the end of fasting and thank Allah for His help with their month-long act of self-control.
Eid-Ul-Adha Festival of Sacrifice marking the day after Arafat. The Day of Arafat is the most important day in the Hajj ritual. This is a four day holiday
Al-Hijira Islamic New Year. Marks the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina
Ashura Islamic holy day observed on the 10th of the Islamic month of Muharram. Shi'ite Muslims regard it as a major commemoration marking the martydom of the Prophet's grandson, Hussein..
Mosques:
Mosque is a Holy place for Muslims. Many Muslims travel every year to visit different Masjids in the world. A Mosque is a place for worship for all the followers of Islam. Mosques all around the world are well known for the general importance to Muslims as well as for Islamic architecture and representation of Islamic culture. Although Mosque is the place where all the Muslims of the community come together and have their prayers, Mosque can also be the place of beautiful architecture that is famous all around the world. About different mosque in the world: 1) Masjid al-Haram
Mecca, Saudi Arabia Al-Masjid Al-Haram is located in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds one of Islam's holiest places, the Kaaba. Muslims face in the direction of the Kaaba while performing formal worship, salah. One of the Five Pillars of Islam requires every Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime if able to do so, includes circumambulation of the Kaaba . The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square metres (88.2 acres) including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to two million worshipers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world. According to Islamic tradition the very first construction of the Kaaba, the heart of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, was undertaken by Abraham. The Qur'an said that this was the first house built for humanity to worship Allah.
2) Al-Masjid an-Nabawi:
Medina, Hejaz, Saudi Arabia Al-Masjid al-Nabaw? often called the Prophet's Mosque is a mosque built by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad situated in the city of Medina. It is the second holiest site in Islam. It was the second mosque built in history and is now one of the largest mosques in the world. After an expansion during the reign of al-Walid I, it also now incoporates the site of the final resting place of Muhammad and early Muslim leaders Abu Bakr and Umar. The mosque also served as a community center, a court, and a religious school. 3) Al-Aqsa Mosque
Old City of Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Mosque also known as Al-Aqsa and Bayt al-Muqaddas, is the third holiest site in Islam and is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The site on which the silver domed mosque sits, along with the Dome of the Rock, also referred to as al-Haram ash-Sharif or "Noble Sanctuary," is the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, the place where the Temple is
generally accepted to have stood. Muslims believe that Muhammad was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey. Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad led prayers towards this site until the seventeenth month after the emigration, when God directed him to turn towards the Ka'aba. The mosque was originally a small prayer house built by the Rashidun caliph Umar, but was rebuilt and expanded by the Umayyad caliph Abd alMalik and finished by his son al-Walid in 705 CE. After an earthquake in 746, the mosque was completely destroyed and rebuilt by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 754, and again rebuilt by his successor al-Mahdi in 780. Another earthquake destroyed most of al-Aqsa in 1033, but two years later the Fatimid caliph Ali az-Zahir built another mosque which has stood to the presentday.
4) Umayyad Mosque
Damascus, Syria The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus or formerly the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, located in the old city of Damascus, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. It is considered by some Muslims to be the fourth-holiest place in Islam. After the Arab conquest of Damascus in 634, the mosque was built on the site of a Christian basilica dedicated to John the Baptist (Yahya). The mosque holds a shrine which today may still contain the head of John the Baptist, honored as a prophet by both Christians and
Muslims alike, and is believed to be the place where Isa (Jesus) will return at the End of Days. The tomb of Saladin stands in a small garden adjoining the north wall of the mosque.
About Islamic art and architecture: Islamic art: Islamic art is not at all restricted to religious art, but includes all the art of the rich and varied cultures of Islamic societies as well. It frequently includes secular elements and elements that are frowned upon, if not forbidden, by some Islamic theologians. Apart from the ever-present calligraphic inscriptions, specifically religious art is actually less prominent in Islamic art than in Western medieval art, with the exception of Islamic architecture where mosques and their complexes of surrounding buildings are the most common remains. Figurative painting may cover religious scenes, but normally in essentially secular contexts such as the walls of palaces or illuminated books of poetry. The calligraphy and decoration of manuscript Qu'rans is an important aspect, but other religious art such as glass mosque lamps and other mosque fittings such as tiles (e.g. Girih tiles), woodwork and carpets usually have the same style and motifs as contemporary secular art, although with religious inscriptions even more prominent.
Islamic Architecture: Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day. What today is known as Islamic architecture owes its origin to similar structures already existing in Roman, Byzantine and Persian lands which the Muslims conquered in the 7th and 8th centuries. The principal Islamic architectural types are: the Mosque, the Tomb, the Palace and the Fort. From these four types, the vocabulary of Islamic architecture is derived and used for buildings of less importance such as public baths, fountains and domestic architecture.
Chapter-2 A New Concept Islamic Festival
Islam Festival
Muslims live in many different countries and communities, and it can be difficult to isolate points of cultural unity among Muslims, besides their adherence to the religion of Islam. Muslims broadly cover many diverse religious groups: the Asian Muslim culture, the Middle Eastern, the African, the European and American Muslims, each with their own variations on customs and traditions. Some customs and traditions may be more motivated by culture than by religion. All of these diverse expressions of the same faith can make the question of “protocol” a complicated issue. Hence, Islamic Festival will be held to bring together all Muslims with single ideology across the globe. This festival will be a single window to showcase the tradition, culture and celebrations of Islam. In this festival one can enjoy different type of food like Indian food, Afghani food, Arabian food etc. One can see different documentary shows on different Muslim people. This festival will give platform to Muslim communities to showcase their talent in different cultural shows. This festival also offers training center where Muslim can learn etiquette of life which taught by Allah. Muslim will also get chance to visit replica of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Mecca & Al-Masjid al-Nabaw?, Medina in this festival. Apart from these Mosques, visitors can see different replicas of famous mosques. This festival is also open for non – Muslims also to remove myth. As every tourist fascinated towards Dubai, this festival will held in Dubai which will boom Dubai revenue in future. So we welcome you to this Islamic festival.
Section I
Replica of Mosque: In this section, there will be separate entry/exit points for Muslims & Non – Muslim people (As per Islam, Non-Muslim people cannot visit Mecca or Medina). Non – Muslim people can visit, learn about different mosques in this section. Main concept behind this section is to get chance to see Replica of Masjid al-Haram, Mecca & Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina mosque to those Muslim people who cannot afford to visit Mecca & Medina in actual.
Section II
Security Check: Large number of visitors can visit this festival every day, hence this festival can be potential targets for terrorism and other form of crime. Therefore, visitors have to undergo security check process. Visitors are screened by metal detectors & explosive detection machines. Islamic Wear: This section will be divided into two parts: 1) Traditional Wear: Here, visitors will find all the different types of traditional wear like kafni, Chador, Kurta – Paijama, Hijab, Al – Amira, Shayla, Khimar etc. 2) Modern Wear: Here visitors will find branded, semi – branded cloths for purchase. Brands like Peter England, S.Kumar, Raymond, Levis, Provogue, Diesel will be allowed to open their shops in this section.
Cultural Section: This section will be dedicated to different Islamic cultural activities. This section will be open at 5pm to till 10 pm. This section will be dividing into 3 parts: a) Dance – Here visitors can enjoy different traditional dance forms with family. From 10pm to 11 pm visitors are allowed to dance in one part of this section. b) Singing – Here visitors can enjoy different singing performances which will include Noad, Salam, Quawali, Milan Sharif, Gazals, Sufi and Arabic songs etc. c) Fashion Shows – Here visitors can enjoy fashion show of Islamic wear.
Art & Architecture: In this section visitors can enjoy different Islamic Art like Calligraphy, Paintings, Rugs & Carpets, Ceramics, Tiling, Glass art, Metal Work etc. and Islamic Architecture like miniatures of Turkistan architecture, Indo – Islamic Architecture, Sino – Islamic Architecture, Indonesian – Malay Architecture, Somali – Islamic Architecture etc. This section will divide country wise
Library: Writing books have high status in Islam. Hence, Islam has different literature. Many famous literature will be kept in one section where Muslims and non – Muslims can read this religious books. One separate section will be dedicated for Quran where non – Muslims will not allow.
Training Center: Islam provides specific guidelines for all people to follow in their daily lives. Its guidance is comprehensive and includes the social, economic, political, moral, and spiritual aspects of life. The Quran reminds man of the purpose of his life, of his duties and obligations towards himself, his family and relatives, his community, his fellow human beings and his creator. All this fundamental guidelines of life will be taught by Mufti, Hafiz and Quan’s. This center will be open at 8 am till 7pm.
Food Court: Food Court will be open at 10 am to 10pm. Food court will be divide into different sections: a) Food Malls like KFC, Mc. Donald, Subway & other food malls b) Indian and Pakistani Restaurants c) Afghani Restaurants d) Arabian Food Section e) Thai Food f) Fruit Section Visitors will not allow to eat food outside the food court; visitors can only carry water bottle and fruits outside the food court.
Chapter-3 Research Methodology
Research Methodology
Introduction:
This chapter presents the research methodology used for the project. It discussed the various aspect of the study, method of selecting sample travel agencies and sample population. The chapter also presents the limitation of the study.
Scope of the Study:
This project attempts to research on new concept of Islamic Festival. This festival has many social as well as economical angles.
Universe of the Study:
This study aims to find out whether Islamic Festival can remove the myth about Islam, can it help to boost tourism industry in many ways. Sample: Considering large number of universe, it was decided to take sample for the study. Further considering the constraints of time, physical and financial resources available. It was decided to take sample 4 travel agencies and 50 people of different age and religion. Limitation of the study: Though attempts have been to make certain generalizations based on the results of the study, it suffers from certain limitations. Therefore, while generalizing the results, following factors should taken into consideration:1. The result of the study based on sample population and 4 travel agencies. It is may not be sufficient because consumer behavior is complex thing. Every consumer has different view than others.
Questionnaire
Part I Name of the Company: Designation of Interviewer: Part II
1) In your opinion, Muslim people motivate to travel to visit different mosques, Islamic art & architecture? Yes No
2) In your opinion, Islamic festival would be second option for Muslim communities to visit Mecca & Medina mosques? Yes No Maybe
3) In your opinion, such festivals can help Muslim communities to come under single ideology? Yes No Maybe
4) In your opinion, this festival can increase tourist traffic in Dubai tremendously? Yes No Maybe
5) In your opinion, will this concept/project/idea run for long term? Yes No Maybe
6) Would you like to add this festival in your Dubai holiday package? Yes No
Signature & Seal
Analysis
In industry analysis, it understood that many Muslim people travel different places in the world to visit different mosques, Islamic art and architecture. Followers of Islam are passionate about to see different Islamic art & architecture in the world. But as per industry survey, the concept Islamic festival may be or may not be work. Reason behind this, Muslim communities are sensitive about their religion. Concept of Replica may or may not be work; it does all depend upon how this community accepts this idea. Other concept like, Islamic food, wear, cultural shows, training center, library, art galleries, miniature of architecture etc. can work tremendously. As per industry opinion, such festival can help Muslim communities to come under single ideology of Islam. As some customs and traditions of this community are motivated by different region than the religion. Training center and Library will be a single window to show case their traditions and customs. Dubai would be the ideal place for such festival, as Dubai is one of the tourism oriented country in the globe. Dubai would accept this idea as it will encourage their income source as well as this may be paradise place for followers of Islam in future. As per industry survey it understood that, if people accept this concept positively then this festival can give huge benefit to tourism industry for long term and every holiday making company would like to add this festival in their itinerary.
Questionnaire
Part I Name: Age: Religion: Part II
1) Would you like to travel for religious, art, architecture and culture purpose? Only Religious Only Culture Only Art, Arch.& Culture Only Art & Architecture Only religion & Culture All of the above
2) Would you like to see replica of different famous mosques? Yes No 3) Would you like to learn about Islam religion? Yes No
4) Would you like to see different Islamic art & Architecture? Yes No 5) Would you like to purchase different Islamic wear? Yes No 6) Would you like to have different Islamic food in Islamic Festival? Yes No 7) Would you like to spend your holiday in Dubai? Yes If yes, would you like to visit Islamic Festival? Yes No
No
Signature
Analysis
Travel for religious, art & architecture and culture purpose:
Travel Motivator
Religion A&A Culture Religion & Culture A&A and Culture All of the above
According to public survey, 50% people would like to travel for religious, culture, art and architecture purpose. 20% says they would like to travel for culture, art and architecture purpose. 16% people would like to travel for only religious purpose. 14% people says they would like to travel for religious as well as culture purpose.
Concept of replica of Mosque:
Replica Concept of Mosque
Yes No
84% people would like to see replica of mosques. 16% people are in oppose with replica concept.
People who like to know more about Islam:
like to know more about Islam
Yes No
84% people say, they would like to know more about Islam.
People who like to visit Islamic Festival
Islamic Festival
Yes No
64% people like the concept of Islamic festival. They would like to visit Islamic Festival during their holiday.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Islamic world wishes to live at peace with the West as well as the East. It wishes to devote its resources and energies for building a better life for people on the basis of the teachings of Islam and not to squander its resources in either internal or external conflicts. It seeks finally to create better understanding and to be better understood by the World. The destinies of the Islamic world can serve their own people more successfully and also contribute to a better life for the whole of humanity. And Islamic Festival can play a vital role to bring all Islamic people together to serve their community in better way.
Bibliography
Bibliography
Books: What is Islam Religion Means? Etiquette of Life in Islam Mufti, Muhammad Sarvar Farukhi Nadvi Muhammad Yusuf Islahi
Websites: en.wikipedia.org www.al-islam.org www.bbc.co.uk www.islamcan.com
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