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In this research, the general architectural features and decorations of the Friday Mosque of İsfahan, Iran, which belongs to the 11th century Great Seljuk State period, one of the most important works of Islamic architecture, are examined. This mosque, which is also called Atiq Mosque, Masjid-e Jameh and Great Mosque today, is among the most important structures that have witnessed hundreds of years of history. This study on the expressibility of the semantic dimension of the structure in the syntactic dimension is important in terms of its contribution to the literature. For this purpose, information about the Great Seljuk mosque architecture and the historical development process of Friday Mosque in terms of architecture is given and the subject and purpose of the researches on this mosque are stated. Then, the method to be used in expressing the architectural structure and decorations in the syntactic dimension is explained. In order to obtain the data about the mosque, on-site visual-observation and examination technique and photography technique were used. Basic design principles were used in the analysis of the data. As a result, the architectural features and ornamental motifs used in this mosque, which is an important mosque of the Great Seljuk period, have been revealed with this method. The findings obtained about the structure and ornaments can be used in religious buildings as well as other architectural structures, ornaments, clothing, furniture and decoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maqṣūrah commissioned by Caliph al-Hakam II in the 10th-century Mosque of Córdoba epitomizes the blend of sacred grandeur and political symbolism in Islamic architecture. This structure enhances aesthetic experiences, allowing worshippers to connect with divinity during Friday prayers. A distinctive feature is its qibla wall, divided into three parts, with a central empty miḥrāb symbolizing sacred force. This spatial organization, reminiscent of Late Antique basilicas in the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean, persisted in peninsular mosques even after the Christian conquest of al-Andalus. Mudejar Islamic communities replicated this design in smaller mosques, perhaps to preserve al-Andalus's memory amidst growing repression. Following the 17th-century expulsion of the Moriscos, similar architectural elements appeared in Testour, Tunisia, built by Morisco exiles. These visual codes, shared among Hispanic Islamic communities, reflect the enduring memory of the exile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pioneers of sustainable architecture began to question the international style of modernity with regard to its ecological qualities in the 1970s. In the decades that followed, the environmental issue was treated as a crisis. Today, there is no doubt about understanding our time as a major turning point in climate change. Since half of the energy used by humans worldwide is consumed in buildings, the topic of green architecture is essential. In the history of architecture, we find numerous examples that can be inspiring for solutions to today's problems. This work intends to investigate the sustainability aspects of mosque architecture from its beginning to the present day. In the introduction, the development of Islamic architecture in relation to environmental awareness is discussed. This is followed by supraregional aspects of sustainable Islamic architecture, which are analyzed under the following focal points: multifunctionality, natural materials, natural lighting and ventilation, sustainable design strategies, cultural sustainability, and finally, environmentally friendly and energy-conscious design in modern times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the discovery of bronze weights in the form of a cuboctahedron, one of the thirteen Archimedean solids, in northwestern Russia. These weights, dating back to the eighth to tenth centuries, were found near the village of Staraya Ladoga, an important historical trading center in Eastern Europe. The article explores the history of Ladoga, its role as a trading center, and the Middle Eastern origin of the cuboctahedron weights. It also discusses the dissemination of knowledge about Archimedean solids through Arabic/Persian culture and their later rediscovery in Europe. [Extracted from the article]

Aceh, located on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, is an autonomous region. While initially Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms were present, the first state in Aceh was established by Muslims. Its location on the west coast of the Indian Ocean led to a significant influx of Muslim traders to the region. Structures in the area that became acquainted with Islam through Indian and Arab Muslims exhibit a blend of Arab, Indian, and local architectural elements. This study focuses on the mosque architecture of the Aceh region in terms of Islamic architecture. The mosques discussed in the article are significant structures in their respective regions. Acting as centers where the sultan meets with the people, educational activities are conducted, resembling a sort of madrasa, while also serving as hubs for various social activities. Although each region has a central mosque, the most prominent one is the Beytürrahman Mosque. Subsequently built mosques often bear similarities to it. The historical development of structures influenced by different cultures is examined architecturally. The main focus of the study is the notable feature of mihrabs resembling the Kaaba Door, known as "Serambi Mekkah," found in Aceh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosques have developed and changed with the expansion of the Islamic geography, the conquest of new cities and the members of the religion from different nations. Thus, in various geographies where Islam spread, different and beautiful places of worship were built using regional materials. When we examine the historical process, Anatolian Mosques have gone through many processes that are difficult to compensate for. Especially the political dynamism of the last century, various reform demands and changes in premises have disrupted the tradition of mosque construction. The increase in mosques built in a way that is far from the construction tradition in order to meet the need for worship has brought about various criticisms and new architectural searches. In addition, the existence of mosques that were neglected or sacrificed to history for the sake of different interests formed the basis of the meaningless void felt in today's mosque architecture. Afyon Pasha Mosque, which was demolished after 478 years of active service and reopened for worship under the same name in 2020, is unique in terms of its structure and history. The biggest reason why we consider this building worth mentioning is that it is a perfect example of a structure that reflects the Muslim-Turkish community, despite the unbalanced imitations made under the name of traditional architecture today. In our article, we will observe the Pasha Mosque, which we see as one of the important symbols of the revival of the mosque civilization, in its historical process and examine its general features in terms of Turkish-Islamic Art style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to identify, examine, and analyze the factors affecting spirituality in the architecture of religious-cultural places from the perspective of experts and finally explain them in a model. The results generally indicate that physical, sensory, socio-individual, and functional components play a significant role in the creation/enhancement of a sense of spirituality in the architecture of religious places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the dissemination of Islamic art in Central Asia, square kufic calligraphy has held a significant place in the identity of Islamic architecture. Despite its earlier usage in Anatolia, it was rarely employed in Ottoman structures. Consequently, the square kufic script failed to become a prominent feature in mainstream calligraphy education or certification culture. Due to the lack of an education tradition and the abstract nature of the script, square kufic calligraphy poses challenges to readability. Nonetheless, there has been a growing interest in square kufic calligraphy in contemporary times, owing to its compatibility with modern aesthetics. The absence of a formalized education system has resulted in erroneous works during restoration or new designs. Consequently, there is a pressing need for scholarly research, documentation of historical examples, and detailed analysis of readings and compositions in this field. This article examines historical square kufic script examples in Istanbul’s historical buildings from the post-Mimar Sinan period to the beginning of the republic era. It provides detailed readings of the compositions, identifies any spelling errors, including missing or superfluous parts, and aims to offer corrective suggestions to prevent the recurrence of erroneous compositions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reflection on a Bachelor of Architecture thesis design from over twenty-five years ago which broached a subject—the design of a mosque—which was an act of infidelity to the western-centric education leading up to it. The process of research and design was motivated by a critical questioning of contemporary gendering of mosque spaces, creating another layer of infidelity. This fraught exercise—its processes and infidelities—became the seed of over two decades of scholarship and pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work will try to delve into some emotional aspects expressed by the community of believers about a section of the Mosque of Córdoba: the maqsūra of al-Ḥakam II. It is important to observe this maqsūra from the point of view of the emotions that it generates during its use as an active sacred space. The maqṣūra of al-Ḥakam II is a space for communication between the political and religious powers within the religious community who attended the Prayer on Friday (Ṣalat al-Jumu'a). This article reviews and expands some hypotheses raised by Professor Ruiz Souza in 2001, where he pointed out the importance of the point of view of the community of worshippers to understand the main functions of the maqṣūra. The worshippers attended the ceremonial and could observe part of the maqṣūra from the shadows of the naves of the old mosque. What did they perceive from a space that was hidden from their gaze? What was this luminous place where the Prince of Believers was located, trying to make them feel? To answer these questions, new methodologies from the History of Art have been used, combined with Anthropology of Religion, the Archeology of Emotions, Color Symbology, Neuroscience and Psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qurh is an early Islamic city located in the al-Ula governorate, northwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It dates to the Umayyad dynasty during the 1st/7th C AD and continued until the Abbasid era during the 6th/12th C AD. The city of Qurh occupies a strategic location on the Syrian pilgrimage route, on the bank of Wadi al-Qura, one of the most important sources that provided the city with abundant quantities of water for drinking and agriculture. The city contains a large number of buildings and various archaeological remains, some of which have been excavated and the rest, which constitutes the largest part of the city, is still under the sand. Since the main building material in Qurh is mud brick, the city's architectural structures are subject to deterioration and collapse. Mud brick is one of our ancestor’s precious legacies; however, they face changing factors of deterioration from harsh weather, which caused mud brick decay and mechanical properties reduction which need to be urgently consolidated. To our knowledge, it is the first report on the application of Calcium Hydroxide Nanoparticles Ca(OH)2. for the consolidation of mud brick deteriorated the archaeological city of Qurh in al-Ula. Nowadays, nanotechnology provides advanced concepts and new materials for the protection of mud bricks. In this study, a novel method for the consolidation of mud brick was proposed with Calcium hydroxide Nanoparticles Ca(OH)2. Mud brick was investigated, characterized by using different techniques and methods, such as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX), Polarized Microscopy (PLM), X-ray Folrences (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that Calcium hydroxide Nanoparticles have enhanced the surfaces of mud bricks. Therefore, this study aims to highlight the historical and architectural value of the city of Qurh, develop a plan to conserve the heritage buildings in the city, and treatment of mud bricks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the sociability practices implemented by male and female students in the Islamic Student Housing (ISH) of an Indonesian private university. Being a key component of Indonesian culture, sociability is accepting and respecting the presence of others in one's environment. This culture is viewed as a component of local values that must be incorporated as a lesson for ISH residents. Male and female senior students are asked to engage in Focus Group Discussions to discuss their experiences living in a shared bedroom. The data are being analysed qualitatively with Atlas.ti to highlight the intercorrelated codes on the establishment of sociability mechanisms among residents. During their time in ISH, students engage in everyday activities that foster local values in sociability and strengthen their social connections with their roommates and housemates. The investigation revealed that the practices of sociability towards social connectivity is shaped not only by the spaces but also by the involvement of activities and rules applied. This study contributes to our understanding of spatial in architecture, notably the locality aspect of Indonesian sociability as its essential value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Girehs are an important esthetic tool in Islamic architecture. The introduction of deformable Girehs can be considered as a significant solution in the areas of flexibility and authenticity in contemporary architecture. By investigating the configurations of different Girehs based on their configurational authenticity, the present study presents a method to make the studied Girehs deformable. The presented methodology can be generalized for all types of Girehs. The deployment of Girehs in a constant perimeter and the generation of new authentic Gireh with deformable configuration are among the main features of the proposed method. The method is based on the PIC methodology, which uses the change in the angle of the Gireh elements in underlying generative tessellation based on the family of the Gireh (acute, median, obtuse). The fixed points of the deformable Girehs are positioned in the midpoints of the sides of the underlying polygons. Also, to address the issue of the increased lengths of the elements and integrated movement, telescope elements and scissor structure have been used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synagogues built in Algiers after 1830 show the changes the Jewish community underwent during the occupation. Moreover, the synagogues reflect a contrast between the colonial administration's attempt to achieve monumentality and the Moorish architectural language. Based on unpublished archival documents, this article explores the influence of the historical and social contexts of the time on architectural choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The square kufıc (ma’ qıli) calligraphy, frequently employed as early as the 11th century in the architecture of the Great Seljuks and Anatolian Seljuks periods, gradually yielded its place to other calligraphic styles and penwork embellishments in Ottoman constructions. Conversely, compared to other script forms, an insufficient body of scientific research is dedicated to the accurate comprehension and thorough recognition of ma’qili calligraphic art. This unique calligraphic style, which is not traditionally imparted within conventional calligraphy education and is currently witnessing renewed interest in Islamic architecture and art across various countries, necessitates comprehensive studies to elucidate its nuanced reading and compositional logic. This article undertakes a detailed exploration of some Square Kufıc calligraphy from the era of Mimar Sinan in Istanbul to the period preceding Sinan’s time. In addition to analyzing the content and compositions of the inscriptions, specific errors and interpretations are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter 5 is therefore devoted to a philological reconstruction of the Umayyad structure of the mosque. First, the great mosque of Damascus constituted a break from previous mosque architecture. The chapter recounts the main events occurring in and around the mosque over the centuries - especially interesting are the contestation of Damascus between the Fatimids and the Seljuks, and George's careful reconstruction of the fires and earthquakes that affected the mosque structure. [Extracted from the article]

Housing is the initial nucleus for the emergence of cities, and housing projects can be considered as an important factor of social stability, and the governmental housing projects in Egypt suffer from low occupancy rates, this is nothing but a true translation of the waste of huge national investments and confirms that these projects suffer from many design deficiencies, which led the user to modify the design of the dwelling or to abandon these projects. The research aims mainly to diagnosing and treating the design deficiencies in governmental housing projects in Egypt. To achieve this, the research was divided into three main parts. It begins with a theoretical study in which the research identified the criteria and basics of design flexibility in Islamic architecture besides drawing a theoretical background on housing design in contemporary governmental housing projects in Egypt, then, the analytical study of design deficiencies in governmental housing projects in Egypt, through which the research was able to formulate a methodology to treat design deficiencies in governmental housing projects in Egypt based on the integration between the criteria and basics of design flexibility inherent in Islamic architecture with the data reverse recall methodology from existing housing projects, then the research moves to the applied study, in which the suggested methodology was applied on one of the private housing projects in Minia new city, in order to measure the suitability of the proposed methodology to be a guide for designing future housing projects flawless from design deficiencies, this leads the research to reach its main result, which is that the interaction with the heritage of Islamic architecture is a deep source of inspiration in treating the problems of housing projects through the creation of modern architecture that keeps pace with the present and the future and is not neglected or independent from its ancient past, taking into account our special social nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Matter of Black Living: The Aesthetic Experiment of Racial Data, 1880–1930" by Autumn Womack is a book that explores the intersection of black social life, aesthetics, and data visualization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Womack analyzes the experimental film practices of Zora Neale Hurston and argues that they offer a radical gestural grammar of blackness that cannot be easily captured or controlled. The book also examines how black data practitioners challenged normative forms of racial knowledge and sought to represent the complexity and dynamism of black social life. Womack's interdisciplinary approach and archival recoveries provide new insights into the ways in which data has been used to document and understand black life. [Extracted from the article]

Historical urban pattern, as the architectural heritage of the past, shows the way of life and how civilizations have evolved. They convey much-accumulated information and details from the past to the present. In other words, their values are understood when the places that formed the cities are analyzed comprehensively. It is essential to examine the information mentioned for sustainable urban development as well as sustainable social development. While talking about the places in cities with Islamic architecture, bazaars are characterized by different architectural features; they played a significant role in the daily life of cities in the past and today. In this research, Tabriz's historic bazaar complex was discussed. And after determining the study area, its physical and social structure was analyzed, and the change process was evaluated by defining today's problems and possibilities. Tabriz grand bazaar complex has been one of Asia's most significant international urban areas and the World for commercial and cultural exchanges for seven centuries. Due to the historical bazaar's strategic location and architectural features, it has played an active role in the east-west trade route through the Silk Road. Looking at the past of the covered bazaar, we see traces of historical periods such as Seljuks, Ilkhanids, Kara-koyunlu Turkmens, Ak-koyunlu Turkmens, Safavids, Ottoman, and Qajar eras. Each of these periods affected on the formation and development of the bazaar. Tabriz's historical bazaar complex is on the UNESCO world heritage list as the world's largest brick-built covered bazaar. This research aims to understand the socialphysical relation that formed the selected study area's features, characteristics, and spatial formation. As the gathered data evaluate it is ascertained that the area by minimal changes, continues its existence. In this context, in the further phases of the study, it will convey information that will contribute and form the bases for the conservation and development proposals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Study of Omar Abi Risha's Poetry in the Royal Court Research Sections: This research came in an introduction, a preface, and three topics. The importance of the research: The importance of the research appears in the poet's distinction and the strength of his personality, and his personality of pride, dignity and loftiness, and his concern for the interests of his Arab and Islamic nation, and what is distinguished by his great and important relations, especially with the Arab kings. Research Problems: It is well known that Arab kings care a lot about poetry and poets, and also their interest in literature and writers increased from kings, and there is almost no royal occasion without poetry and poets having a share in it; And because the poem is considered by the kings to be the official speech that the poet conveys to the people He whets motivation and deals with issues, so Abu Risha was that good poet who defended his nation that carries it and motivates its members from the highest authority to the youngest Arab Muslim individual. Research objectives: Showing interest in literature and writers such as kings, and the purpose of accompanying poetry and poets in all private and public occasions among Arab kings. Research Methodology: In this research, the researcher relied on the analytical descriptive approach, which is based on studying the phenomenon, analyzing it technically, and coming up with appropriate judgments for the scientific material studied. The most prominent results: The poet's intense love for the nation's glories, his attachment to it, and his motivation to return to that To the forerunner of the nation, distinguished by pride, pride, loftiness, and frankness, and his lack of courtesy to kings, especially in his poems that touch the Arab and Islamic nation, and his poetry was distinguished by the strength of the phrase, its sincerity, and the beauty of the poetic image, and its strong Islamic religious influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tessellation is a mathematical concept used in geometric design. As in many fields, this method is also encountered in architecture. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the tessellation configurations in marble and wooden-columned mosques within the scope of geometric design in architecture, to show the effectiveness of geometry in the architectural production in these buildings, and to draw attention to the relationship between tessellation and geometry in Islamic buildings. The research question of the study is how tessellation configurations are applied in marble and wooden-columned mosques in Islamic architecture and how this relationship is established. Depending on this research question, Beyşehir Eşrefoğlu Mosque, Sivrihisar Ulu Mosque, and Konya Alâeddin Mosque in Turkey were examined within the scope of this study. The common point of these Islamic buildings is the use of tessellation patterns in the minbar and mihrab sections. Content analysis was performed by looking at the architectural features of the marble and wooden-columned mosques and geometric analysis of the tessellation configurations in the minbars and mihrabs was conducted with the data obtained. As a result, it has been seen that various variations in tessellation configurations are used in marble and wooden-columned mosques, which are products of Islamic architecture. The academic study in which the tessellation method is emphasized in mosques is limited. Therefore, this study will fill the gap in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, contemporary urbanism in the global South has meant large urban transformations, tall architecture landmarks, and fierce city competition. However, cities and their planners are now confronting an ethical dilemma: how to grow and compete while caring for the disastrous impacts on Earth and human health caused by the mass extraction, processing, and consumption of resources linked to urbanization. In our article, we problematize the modern interpretation of technology, and in particular architecture and planning technologies, in society where sustainability is considered a product. By restudying the Quranic notion of the khalifa and the accidental, ecological formation of the oasis, we will argue for a postpromethean philosophy of inhabiting the Earth. We will exemplify this new ethical–technological shift by comparing planned and unplanned developments in Arabian Gulf cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the foundation of the Ottoman Empire to its becoming an empire and its collapse, some families were involved in the important mechanisms of the state and played a positive role. One of these families is Timurtaş Pasha and his sons, who contributed a lot to the state in the early period. Among the five sons of Timurtaş Pasha, Umur Beg came to the fore both militarily and scientifically. In addition to the buildings he brought to Turkish Islamic architecture, Umur Beg, who attracted attention with the foundations he established, had many works translated, wrote books and donated them to the library he founded. Deceased in 1461, Umur Beg was buried in the baldachin mausoleum in the courtyard of the Umur Beg Mosque in Bursa. A total of 122 graves were explored in the large burial ground surrounding the mosque and tomb. Among the graves belonging to scholars, ulamas and people belonging to various professions, only the gravestones with headgear (serpuş) that can be dated to the 18th century were taken into consideration. Of the low and high framed tombs, ten belong to men and one to women, dating from 1722 to 1794. The main purpose of evaluating the 18th century headgeared tombs is that the tombstones present diversity and richness in terms of type, ornamentation and headgear (serpuş). The heads of Pashalı, kâtibi, nezkeb, dardağan and hotoz are important in terms of indicating position, gender and rank. After the heads, the textual content, the type of writing and finally the ornamentation, which also conveys the baroque style of the period, are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is one of the important factors in human life. Lighting especially in houses of worship is considered a very important part for symbolic and spiritual reasons. Light is the main focus in architecture, both in Islamic and Gothic architecture. The purpose of this study is to summarize the role of light in buildings of worship, especially houses of worship. This study uses a qualitative method of literature study. The results of this study indicate that the role of light in buildings of worship, especially houses of worship, is very important for the congregation, both spiritually and visually. Spiritually, the role of light can provide inner peace and also the closeness of the servant to his God. from a visual point of view the role of light can provide beauty and comfort to the room. From these results, the conclusion is that the role of light in religious buildings in the building of houses of worship is very important for worshippers, in shaping the inner kayakinan both in spiritual terms and in Visual terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of modern Islamic, religious and cultural centers is one of the increasingly present architectural themes in Western Europe. In their visual identity and basic design principles, these centers seek to harmonize the recognizable elements of the vernacular cultural and historical heritages with the environment of contemporary life. In recent years, the Bosniak community in various European countries has been ever more confronted with this open question. The topic brings together complex social, political, and cultural issues related to the representation of the religious and national identities of a minority ethnic/national group within the wider globalization processes. As growingly present in some European countries, the issue of attitudes towards Islam has recently become particularly sensitive. The international architectural competition for the project of the Islamic religious and cultural center for the (dominantly) Bosniak community in Ljubljana, Slovenia, was evaluated by the public as the most important European architectural competition in 2011. The paper will analyze the modalities of dynamic understanding and defining the concepts of Islamic art and architecture and contemporary mosque architecture in Europe where mosques become multifunctional centers with religious and socio-cultural content of wider importance. The paper will focus on the mosque architecture for Bosniak communities, within the time frame that stretches from the construction of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Zagreb / Croatia (1987) to the recently opened Islamic Religious and Cultural Centre in Ljubljana / Slovenia (2019). The Ljubljana project was awarded the 2020 Plečnik Award, which is given for the greatest successes in shaping the Slovenian environment as well as the European cultural environment. Special emphasis will be given to the Islamic Religious and Cultural Centre in Ljubljana and the analysis of its formal and stylistic determinants, including their harmonization with the models and patterns of traditional architecture on one hand and with the challenges imposed by the necessity of integration into local environments and search for a new style on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corpus of published research about the Islamic architecture presents some gaps of knowledge about the architecture of the peoples who lived in some of the regions ruled by Muslims. The dynamics of influence that might have operated between the “monumental” architecture in these regions and their popular architectures are insufficiently addressed. Furthermore, the material culture related to the Islamic civilization suffers from some geographic and chronologic gaps. The present research aims to contribute to mend this gap by providing new knowledge about the traditional mosque architecture in Oman. More specifically, it will formulate some interpretations regarding the origins and development process of the practice of Mihrabs decoration in Oman between the 13th and 19th centuries CE. A total of 22 of such Mihrabs has been identified to have been the only remaining examples of this tradition in Oman. The paper presents the outcomes of a systematic survey and analysis of the architecture and artistic features of these Mihrabs and the mosques where they are located. The mosques and their stucco carved Mihrabs are presented within their historic and geographic contexts. The Mihrabs‟ main components are detailed, and the origins and sources of influences of this craft discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores an under researched part of contemporary Islamic architecture. It presents a new approach to design Mosques allowing a multi-facetted space that brings people together to enable prayer, unity, community collaboration, innovation and social connections. It may serve any groups giving particular attention to people impacted from environmental disasters, displaced from wars, and other unforeseen events. The Mosque becomes a place of worship, of hope, in transition as people reflect from the world around them. The method employed for this study is „research through design‟, which is a process of design that allows new insights, knowledge, practices and final product to come into being. The proposed 3M (Modular Mobile Mosque) prototype design is a simple rectangle with a small-subdivided courtyard spaces. It is inspired by the Prophet Muhammed‟s (PBUH) Mosque in AlMadinah that allows for multiple spatial variations. Customized modular container like units are placed together like a puzzle. It is a self-sustaining entity that employs every element with a sustainable function such as a solar minaret uses solar panels for energy and an inverse tent structure collects rainwater. Moreover, local attributes are assimilated into the design as needed to reflect regional identity and foster social relationships and community bonds. This research contributes to knowledge by advancing the current state of Mosque designs for various relief areas and stands as a prospective model for universal applications to elevate the quality of places of worship where they need it most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the earliest mosques in China, the Great Mosque of Xi‘an (also known as the Huajuexiang Mosque) was built in 742 AD and has undergone multiple reconstructions. It is an active place of worship for local Muslims while serving as a popular tourist site for non-Muslim visitors. Unlike mosques in other countries, this mosque has maintained strong Chinese architecture traditions such as timber frame structures, curved roofs and wooden ornaments. The building layout, derived from courtyard-style residential architecture, consists of five courtyards along a long east-west axis. The presence of Islamic elements such as the orientation towards Mecca, Arabic calligraphies, and the prayer hall are well incorporated into the whole complex. In short, the Great Mosque of Xi‘an is an excellent example of combing traditional Chinese architectural forms with Islamic religious activities. As a worship place, mosques establish a meaningful relationship between people and a given environment to identify and orient people‘s faith and beliefs by physical symbols and their meaning of social-cultural behaviors. This paper examines the spatial meanings of courtyards of the Great Mosque of Xi‘an by analyzing how the courtyards, a form of traditional residential architecture, was transformed into a meaningful Islamic symbol. Specifically, this paper uses courtyards at the Great Mosque of Xi‘an as a case to demonstrate how different cultural meanings were presented and converged together through physical spaces by the spatial articulation of religious activities and the functions. The findings will bring a better understanding of a unique mosque architecture that is characterized by architectural forms different from the mainstream Islamic world but still performing the same purposes and activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific research on heritage is many and varied, because it represents a collective historical and cultural repository that expresses essentially identity. Among the areas of heritage, we distinguish the urban and architectural heritage that reflects the true identity and the civilizational dimension, which today the process of preserving it has become a historical responsibility and a national and national duty that stops specialists in all parts of the world. In light of the growing interest in the concept of sustainable development in various fields, the care of heritage in its comprehensiveness emerges as one of the major axes of this development, and an area that falls within the framework of a comprehensive policy to preserve the diverse world heritage. There is no doubt that the general problem with regard to ancient urban tissues lies in their ability to respond to the modern requirements of architectural urban development and provide an environment in which the balance between man and his surroundings is not disturbed, and to preserve the prevailing social and human dimensions, and to overcome purely economic approaches in comparing modern projects and conservation projects. In this context, we have the right to ask whether it is possible to protect and breathe life into heritage urban tissues, without this being an attempt at temporary revival. Is it possible to achieve sustainable urbanization in light of the predominance market rules? This research mainly aims to visualize an urban project that aims to achieve two basic things: - Protecting the Arab-Islamic architectural and urban identity of the city of Constantine, the capital of eastern Algeria, which has been subjected to cultural obliteration and attempts at Westernization over more than a century of French colonialism. - Adopting a practical methodology during the course of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El-Gendi Fortress is a unique geo-archaeological site in Sinai, Egypt. It reflects the progress of the Islamic military architecture during Saladin's reign (Salah ad-din al Ayyubi), the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty (1174-1260AD). The fortress's location met two major geo-criteria. One is geographical; it is located on a mound 655 m above sea level (a.s.l) and 152 m above El-Tih El-plateau; this elevation contributes to the exploration of the surrounding areas and provides the fortress with a strong defensive position against the Crusaders' invasions of Egypt (1163–1169 AD). The second is Hydro-geological; it provides exceptional access to both meteoric surface (via barrages) and groundwater (through Sudr spring). The latter is from deep aquifers of the Nubian sandstones (Malha Formation) across the fractured carbonates (Raha and Sudr Formations of Cenomanian to Maastrichtian age). Such water was accumulated since the Pleistocene pluvial age until the fortress' most recent use. The barrages' location upstream of a sub-basin "a" at Wadi Sudr, in a similar direction to the deep ditch side, confirms that the priority of their design is to protect the region from flash flood risks and to store water on a relatively flat-lying land. The study reveals that the fortress' geographical location is used to safeguard the Hajj route in central Sinai and to provide facilities for pilgrims' caravans when they travel from North Africa to Mecca. The study concludes that the fortress should be a part of the Sinai tourism itinerary and promoted globally as a geo-archaeological site for Geo-tourism. In addition, the government should implement a strategy for conserving, rehabilitating, and managing the heritage sites, to improve facilities and increase public awareness of these sites to maximize the outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jame' Mosque of Ardestan is one of the famous buildings of the fifth century in Iran, which is known in the field of architectural studies of the Seljuk period, as a clear example of the architectural features of this period. However, this mosque has been neglected and no detailed studies have been conducted on it. What distinguishes this building as the subject of this research is the geometric shape of the transition area (ChapireSazi). This geometry presents a different structure compared to buildings of the same period. For this purpose, preliminary information was collected through direct field observations, interviews with masters of building restoration and library studies. Then, using a descriptive-analytical method, the construction of the dome structure of the Jame' Mosque of Ardestan has been investigated. The results show that in the ChapireSazi of this dome, a new method has been used to build a corner called "Patkaneh". This method is based on fractal geometry, which has similar and self-organized structures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early Islamic religious architecture in North Africa displays a marked change from earlier Classical and Christian buildings in their general neglect of exteriors in favour of interior (i.e., courtyard) façades. This feature may be due partly to the nature of Islamic worship, as it was common to virtually all early mosques, yet builders in the central and eastern lands of Islam soon began to adopt such exteriorizing features as domes, towers, and colourful decoration. Maghribi builders, however, maintained their preference for modest exteriors for many centuries, mostly focusing decoration on interior façades and spaces, and differentiating it from much Islamic architecture elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A glimpse of the history of Islamic art indicates that Sufism and mysticism have long been among the most important intellectual and spiritual currents influencing Persian art and architecture. Accordingly, re-reading the symbolic concepts as well as the mystical and spiritual semiotics and seeking their reflection in the body of architecture is an obligatory instruction that should be considered in the process of architectural design. In this research, the authors endeavor to investigate the semiology in the physical elements of Sheikh Lotf-Allah Mosque in Isfahan and its relationship with Rumi's mysticism using inferential–analytical methods and based on library studies and empirical observations. This research found that the Sheikh Lotf-Allah Mosque was constructed according to the mystical opinions of Rumi in order to demonstrate the semantic values of different levels of the universe in its physical form, structure and configuration. According to the findings, the use of Rumi's mysticism propagates a God-centered semantic spirit to the body of Persian architectural elements, which always reminds human beings of their true home, which is the heavenly world. According to Rumi, the nature of architecture is beyond the material, and it is God-centered contemplation that turns the architecture into magnificent buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ormos makes clear early on his dissatisfaction with treatment of the Chicago fair by three scholars whom he takes as representing the "Edward Saidian paradigm of Orientalism" - Zeyneb elik, Timothy Mitchell, and Robert W. Rydell. Chicago's World Columbian Exposition unfolded against the grim backdrops of class conflict, the severe U.S. depression of 1893, and the murder of Chicago's mayor two days before the fair ended. Cairo in Chicago: Cairo Street at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, written by István Ormos. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on a project which works towards the recreation of the appearance and decorative scheme of the Qilij Arslan II Kiosk, a palatial structure on the citadel mound of Konya which is one of the earliest Rum Seljuq buildings that survived into the modern age. Topics include the materials from the building collected, the study of full array of publications on the building and the plan to work with historical photographs to reassess the content of the inscription on the façade.

One of the major sources of Pre-Islamic Arabian civilizations were water dams, which were given an important attention and developed architectures. The dams were varying from reservoir dams and transformation dams. The dam of Gufaina in Ma’rib oasis in the heartland of Saba kingdom is seem a model of the transformative dam built by ancient Sabaean. The Gufaina dam works to impound and divert the water that comes from the north of the northern water source of the old Ma’rib dam, and it is the water that does not descend into the course of Wadi Dhanna. of it, discharging it and protecting the oasis fields, which are fed by the waters of the old Ma’rib Dam. It is clear from the dam's architecture that it continued to play its role in regulating irrigation in the oasis to later periods, perhaps dating back to the first Islamic period. his study aims to identify the architectural technology and building materials that have been used in transformative ancient dams of Arabia, that will be through a field study of Gufaina dam, which its architecture details is still preserved, and could reveal the design of water system, drain and the water quantity reservoir techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]