Zak Images

16/09/2025

Introduction: The Jameh Mosque of Neyshabur is one of the most significant religious and historical landmarks in Neyshabur, a city situated at the foothills of the Binalud Mountains in Razavi Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran. Neyshabur itself has a rich and storied past, and the Jameh Mosque stands as a testament to its cultural and architectural heritage. Throughout various periods in Iranian history, the mosque has not only served as a place of worship but also as an important symbol of the region’s spiritual and social life.

The history of Neyshabur dates back over a thousand years, with the city playing an influential role in Persian literature, philosophy, and Islamic culture. During the Samanid and Seljuk periods, Neyshabur was one of the most important cities in Iran. The Jameh Mosque of Neyshabur reflects the city’s significance, having undergone various phases of construction and renovation throughout the centuries.

The mosque’s history is intertwined with the development of Islamic architecture in Iran. It was initially constructed in the 9th century during the Samanid era, a time when Islamic culture and architecture began to flourish in Iran. Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt and renovated several times, reflecting the changing architectural styles of the different Islamic dynasties, including the Seljuks and Safavids.

The mosque is characterized by its courtyard, which is typical of Persian mosques, and surrounded by arcades. The minarets of the mosque are another prominent feature, standing tall and visible from different points around the city, adding to the visual impact of the mosque. The mihrab, the niche that indicates the direction of prayer, is beautifully decorated with intricate tilework and a remarkable calligraphy inscription that highlights the artistic and cultural values of the time.

One of the key architectural styles in the mosque is the Seljuk influence, which can be seen in the structure’s large domes and grand entranceways, emphasizing both spiritual and aesthetic elements. The use of brickwork, stucco, and tile mosaics makes the mosque an exemplary piece of Islamic architectural heritage.

Photo taken by ZAK in April 2023

13/09/2025

Driving out of Karachi, I once remembered spotting the Chowkandi Graveyard easily from the National Highway. The tombs rose above the plain like forgotten pyramids, glowing gold in the sun, impossible to miss.

But on my last visit, the scene had changed. What was once a clear landmark has now been swallowed by a jungle of unplanned houses, shops, and noisy transport depots. You don’t just see Chowkandi anymore—you have to search for it, carefully peering between walls of brick and tangled wires until the first carved stone finally reveals itself.

And when it does, it feels like stepping through a crack in time. The tombs—dating back to the 15th to 18th centuries—still stand in silence. Their yellow sandstone is carved with exquisite patterns, flowers, jewellery, even horsemen: a forgotten gallery of the Jokhio and Baloch tribes who once ruled these lands. Each design whispers of pride, wealth, and tradition.

29/08/2025

26/08/2025

25/08/2025

Behind the colorful building of the Silk Bazaar in the Turkish city of Bursa, the Green Tomb is a prominent building in the city of Bursa, beneath which is the tomb of the fifth Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I. It was built by Mehmed's son and successor Murad II after the king's death in 1421. The architect Haji Ayvaz Pasha also designed the tomb and the opposite Yasl Mosque. In addition to the sultan, it also includes seven other tombs of his sons and daughters.
The Ottoman rulers have built thousands of timeless buildings during their six hundred years of rule, which are still the same in their beauty, strength and grandeur.

16/08/2025

The Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is among Istanbul’s most famous and fascinating monuments. This ‘church of divine wisdom’ was inaugurated by Emperor Justinian on 26 December 537, converted into a mosque in 1453 and declared a museum in 1934.
It is among the world’s greatest architectural achievements, in particular famous for its massive dome, and considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture.

On July 10 2020, a Turkish court annulled the 1934 decree by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk which turned the mosque into a museum. This paved the way for president Erdoğan to order the conversion of the historic Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, back into a mosque. He therefore signed a decree to transfer the management of the site from the Ministry of Culture to the Presidency of Religious Affairs. On Friday July 24 , 2020 it opened its doors for prayers.

15/08/2025

I had seen the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai in my childhood and since then I had been eager to see this bridge. And finally in 2018 I saw this beautiful place.
The big difference between America and Britain is that Americans destroy wherever they go, while Britain builds magnificent buildings wherever it occupies. The construction of the railway line in Thailand is a great achievement of the British Army.

04/08/2025

A child mason from Shahzeb Farm near Gharo. He was constantly trying to make something out of clay. When I asked, he told me that he was making a gaz. Gaz is the Sindhi word for a path. A slight smile came to his face for a moment as he said this.