[00:01.30]By contrast, one of the main characteristics of art in the Middle East
[00:04.34]was, and still is, its absence of human and animal images.
[00:09.65]This reflects the Islamic belief that these images are unholy.
[00:14.68]Thus, on palaces, mosques and other buildings,
[00:19.04]Islamic artists have created unique decoration of great beauty
[00:23.47]with images of flowers and geometric forms,
[00:27.12]for example, circles, squares, and triangles.
[00:30.76]The same is true of other places
[00:33.27]like Africa and the Pacific islands.
[00:35.99]Art also reflects the religious beliefs
[00:38.78]of traditional cultures in these places.
[00:41.37]As a matter of fact, religion is the purpose for this art
[00:45.70]and is, therefore, absolutely essential to it.
[00:49.46]Traditional art in Africa and the Pacific islands is different from Christian art.

By contrast, one of the main characteristics of art in the Middle East
was, and still is, its absence of human and animal images.
This reflects the Islamic belief that these images are unholy.
Thus, on palaces, mosques and other buildings,
Islamic artists have created unique decoration of great beauty
with images of flowers and geometric forms,
for example, circles, squares, and triangles.
The same is true of other places
like Africa and the Pacific islands.
Art also reflects the religious beliefs
of traditional cultures in these places.
As a matter of fact, religion is the purpose for this art
and is, therefore, absolutely essential to it.
Traditional art in Africa and the Pacific islands is different from Christian art.