Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is currently hosting a photo exhibition dedicated to Iran’s Nature as well as the art and design employed in Iranian mosques. The exhibit titled ‘Naqsh-e Jahan’ is held as a part of the ninth edition of FESMIR, the International Artistic Festival of Dakar, slated for March 1-8. The name of the exhibit is inspired by a famous square situated at the center of Isfahan city. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, Naqsh-e Jahan is now an important historical site and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, Honaronline.com reported. On display at the exhibit are 100 photos, all printed in 50 cm x 70 cm. Darioush Mohammadkhani, Mahnaz Shafiei, Sepideh Ahansazan, Siavash Eskandari, Fahimeh Akbari, Alaleh Rostami, Hirad Rahmani, Negar Tari and Hoda Molana are among the 26 photographers whose works are on show. The architecture of mosques in Iran varies from one region to another depending on culture, heritage and the resources available. Each mosque has different styles of tilework, unique color systems and symbolic patterns. However, there are a few elements common to most of them, The Iran Project wrote. One such element is ‘Mehrab,’ a semicircular niche in the wall facing the direction of ‘Ka’ba’ in Mecca, which Muslims face while praying. Another common element that all mosques share is the pool situated outside; the water in the pool symbolizes purity and cleanliness. Minarets and domes are other common features; the tall minaret situated at one of the corners of the mosque provides a visual point that is used to call people for prayers.
