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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 52: Circles (hosted by MFC) >> Challenge 52: Eligible Gallery > Alem
by Helen Betts

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26-SEP-2003 Helen Betts

Alem
by Helen Betts

Ankara, Turkey

This is an alem, which is supposed to sit at the top of a mosque's minaret. I've always loved their design and had bought an old Ottoman one when I lived here before. On my second weekend in Ankara this time around, I found this piece at a friend's antique store. I'm not sure if it ever graced a minaret (or if they are now making them for sale since they've discovered that foreigners like to buy them), but it's a lovely piece, made even more significant with the religious text in Arabic, and appears to be old.

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Gervan06-Aug-2013 08:15
A fantastic object of Islamic calligraphy in bronze. V.
Sony Forums Challenges03-Oct-2003 17:51
Thank you both for the translations. Actually, I was able to read "Allah" (which allowed me to orient it correctly, but I definitely had to think about it at first). Interesting about "Mashallah," as in Turkish "Inshallah" means "God willing." Mashallah is used more, for instance, when you see a child or a picture of one. I don't know the exact translation, but I belive it's something "Beautiful!" and "May God preserve him from evil." Helen
Guest 03-Oct-2003 16:47
Nice photo!
BTW. The Arabic word (Masha'allah) means "God willing"
Sony Forums Challenges30-Sep-2003 20:14
I could easily read the word Allah (in Arabic) on the first line. The second line says, I think, Muhammad, but am not very positive about it.

Nice photo, Yehuda
Sony Forums Challenges29-Sep-2003 08:56
Nice lighting, interesting piece. I don't know how you'd find its age.
Sony Forums Challenges28-Sep-2003 16:07
Helen, I really like the overall circular shape and interesting inner design of this unique alem. It reminds me of a cross section of a flower about ready to bloom. I esp like the sense that this piece is textured by time. Nice find and capture. MFC
andy williams 28-Sep-2003 13:58
helen, what an interesting circle you picked! great detail, i like the work. -- andy