The Great Mosque
AOKs: Religious Knowledge Systems, Ethics, History, Human Sciences
When Boabdil handed the city of Granada to the Christian Spanish monarchy, they made a treaty of surrender. This was supposed to guarantee the right to Muslims to worship in perpetuity. Unfortunately, it does not seem to have made much of an impact and most of Granada's Mosques were either destroyed or converted into christian churches.
In a twist of irony, 2003 saw Granada's first Mosque in centuries open its doors to worshipers in what used to be the church of San Nicolas.
Unfortunately, the mosque opening was not without its controversies. Many locals were against the mosque opening and objections were raised against the plans to build a minaret. To the ignorant passerby, the Great Mosque of Granada still looks like a christian church.
Objections were also raised against the 'call to prayer', which is a loudspeaker announcement of prayer times from mosques but usually done through song. The function of 'the call' is similar in that of christian church bells. Christian bells are still allowed in Granada, but call to prayers are not.
First Order Questions:
How many Muslims are still practicing in Granada, and in how many mosques?
How many Christians are still practicing in Granada, and in how many churches?
Is Spain a secular or religious country?
Does the 'treaty of surrender' still apply in modern day Spanish law?
What are the main differences between the beliefs and practices of Christians and Muslims?
Second Order Questions:
To what extent do objections against religious observances seem intolerant?
Why do people suffer from xenophobia (fear of other cultures)?
To what extent could xenophobia be excused and sympathized with just like any other irrational fear such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders)?
In a twist of irony, 2003 saw Granada's first Mosque in centuries open its doors to worshipers in what used to be the church of San Nicolas.
Unfortunately, the mosque opening was not without its controversies. Many locals were against the mosque opening and objections were raised against the plans to build a minaret. To the ignorant passerby, the Great Mosque of Granada still looks like a christian church.
Objections were also raised against the 'call to prayer', which is a loudspeaker announcement of prayer times from mosques but usually done through song. The function of 'the call' is similar in that of christian church bells. Christian bells are still allowed in Granada, but call to prayers are not.
First Order Questions:
How many Muslims are still practicing in Granada, and in how many mosques?
How many Christians are still practicing in Granada, and in how many churches?
Is Spain a secular or religious country?
Does the 'treaty of surrender' still apply in modern day Spanish law?
What are the main differences between the beliefs and practices of Christians and Muslims?
Second Order Questions:
To what extent do objections against religious observances seem intolerant?
Why do people suffer from xenophobia (fear of other cultures)?
To what extent could xenophobia be excused and sympathized with just like any other irrational fear such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders)?
