Never Seen Mecca Medina Masjit Photos - Exclusive!

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Number of churches and mosques in New York City

New York City is the most linguistically and religiously diverse city in the world. The 8.4 million inhabitants communicate in some 800 different languages across the five boroughs – the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. New York is also a religious city: 83% of New Yorkers are affiliated to some organized religion. This is a rate of adherents larger than that of the state, New York State (75%), and one of the highest in the entire United States.

Christians comprise about 70% of the population; 40% of whom are Catholic and 30% Protestant. They attend approximately 2000 churches and 4000 informal places of worship such as community halls and homes, thus a total of some 6000 churches. New York City also boasts the world’s largest cathedral, the Episcopal Church of St John the Divine.


12% of New Yorker claim Jewish decent. There are more Jews in New York City than there are in the Jerusalem city limits. They have more than 1000 synagogues – 70% permanent and 30% temporary places – at their service.
There are almost a million Muslims in New York City. (Some sources claim 1.4 million; the New York City Community Affairs Bureau states the figure as 800 000.) There are more than 100 mosques in the city, plus an unknown number of small mosques that worshipers set up in their apartments or places that are not visible from the street.
Ground Zero mosque:
The area of devastation that the 9/11 terrorist attack left on the World Trade Center is referred to as Ground Zero, a military phrase for a point directly above or below the detonation of a nuclear bomb or, in short, “at the center of calamity.” The phrase does have older roots, though. But the area has a new meaning. It has become sacred ground for American Christians. Therefor, when the chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, proposed the building of a Muslim religious center near Ground Zero it created an outcry. Particularly when President Barack Obama voiced support for the mosque.

Supporters of the proposed center were quick to point out that it would not be built on Ground Zero but two blocks away, at 45-51 Park Place, general known as Park 51. They also point out that there are many Christian churches much closer to Ground Zero (as can be seen on the map), including the closest religious building, the St Paul’s Chapel just across the road.

It has, furthermore, been emphasized that the proposed construction is not a mosque (although it will include one) but a community center. But the wounds left by 9/11 have not healed. Those opposing the center fear that it might be considered a sign of victory for terrorism, a type of international symbol of heroism much like the raising of the flag on Iwa Jima was to the West. Simply too close for comfort, they say, too close to holy ground.

Site of proposed Muslim center marked in red. Note St Paul’s and St Peter’s closer.

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Ceilings never fails to amaze

I'm a big fan of ceilings and it never fails to amaze me how drastically they can change the appearance and atmosphere of a space yet at the same time be completely ignored by most of the room's occupants. it's incredible how some people live their lives looking either straight ahead or down at the ground, the only ceiling they ever notice being the one above the bed.

luckily it hasn't stopped people designing stunning ceilings. here are 10 of my favourites, new and old, in no particular order.

the Senedd, Cardiff

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the undulating ceiling of the senedd (the welsh assembly) was designed by richard rogers, the architect chosen to develop tower 3 of the world trade center reconstruction.


Tokyo international forum, tokyo

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the incredible steel and glass roof of tokyo international forum is an engineering masterpiece and was designed by rafael vinoly in 1996.

temppeliaukio church, helsinki

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'rock church' was completed in 1969 after being carved from an enormous lump of natural granite. the ceiling, the central disc of which is made from copper wire, was designed by the suomalainen brothers, as was the rest of the building.

british museum's great court, london

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the british museum's great court was opened in 2000 and was designed by norman foster. it features a stunning tessellated roof which consists of 6100m² of glazing. 

dc metro station, washington

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chicago-based architect harry weese was responsible for designing the washington metro system in the 1970s and the brutalist architecture, especially the tunnel walls and ceilings, still look remarkable to this day. 

allen lambert galleria, toronto

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santiago calatrava, the spaniard responsible for a ridiculous amount of inspired architecture, designed allen lambert galleria and its beautiful ceiling/roof in the late 80s.

erzurum holy mosque, eastern anatolia

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the holy mosque in the eastern anatolia region of turkey was originally constructed in 1179 but has since been restored on five occasions, resulting in a mixture of architectural styles. the inside of the mosque's main dome is absolutely fantastic.

bahá'í house of worship, illinois

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the interior of the baha'i house of worship in wilmette was designed by alfred shaw. the intricate stylings of the dome's ceiling are breathtaking.

mosteiro dos jerónimos, lisbon

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i believe spanish architect joão de castilho was responsible for the amazing ceiling in jerónimos monastery, back in the 1500s. the result is a ribbed, gothic masterpiece.

alcázar of seville

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the hall of the ambassadors' phenomenally impressive domed ceiling in the alcázar of seville, built in 1427. stunning.

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