An architectural analytical study of contemporary minaret design in Kuwait

Abstract

The minaret is considered the symbol of Islam and a prominent feature in Muslim communities. In Kuwait, almost every mosque, regardless of its size, includes one or more minarets. Minaret architecture has attracted considerable attention, both scholarly and from the public. Previous studies about mosque and minaret architecture have been restricted to architectural styles. The principal objective of this paper was to investigate the minaret's validity as an essential feature in contemporary mosque architecture by analyzing several aspects of minaret’s architecture such as its function, number, prominence, placement of minaret to the mosque, minaret's main components, and minaret's decoration. Based on ten selected case studies representing the six governorates of Kuwait, the study attempts to understand further essential elements of minaret and the extent to which architects can redesign/transform the minaret without risking its symbolic and historic value. The findings indicate that the minaret continues to play an important role and is considered a significant element in contemporary Kuwaiti mosque architecture. The minaret's prominence within mosque design is dependent on its number, location, size, articulation, and decoration’s subtlety. Furthermore, while the square plan is most common in minaret's base, the octagonal shaft plan is the most common in contemporary minarets. This research provides a timely and necessary study of minaret design that contributes to contemporary Mosque architecture, directing architects, designers, and mosque's patrons.