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How Egypt’s First-Ever Net Zero Mosque Blends Spirituality and Ecology

October 13, 2024

When Pi, the protagonist of the Oscar-winning film Life of Pi (2012), first felt drawn to Islam, it was not through a lecture or a book on the faith, but rather, it was by observing how Muslims prayed inside a mosque. Between the adhan  (call to prayer) and the salat (prayer), there is a brief moment of liminal calm within a mosque. Worshippers are randomly scattered across an open space, some gathered in clusters with family members, others sitting in solitude, each absorbed in the recitation of Quranic verses. The mosque is designed to breathe; with its open architecture and spacious design, it invites a sense of airiness, mirroring the unhurried stillness of the worshippers. Then, at the call to prayer, a collective shift occurs, ushering in a moment of shared spirit, where disorder gives way to order, and randomness yields to structure. Worshippers rise together—shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet — each individual contributing to a greater whole. The indescribable beauty of Islamic prayer has not only captivated Pi but has also inspired thinkers, architects, artists, writers, and travelers around the world. Just as yoga is acknowledged for its…


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