The discourse on local Islamic archaeology offers a compelling field of study, particularly when examined in relation to the spread of Islamic teachings. In the historical narrative of Islamization in Indonesia, Bolaang Mongondow was a region significantly influenced by Islamic preaching during the 17th–19th centuries CE (11th–13th centuries AH). Archaeological heritage in the form of material culture plays an important role in illustrating the adaptation of local communities to Islamic traditions. The notion of Islam as a “religion of the ruling elite” also contributed to the conversion of local populations. This study presents an archaeological discourse grounded in a historical approach, supported by tangible material evidence, including gravestones and burial complexes, in Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi. Through morphological and technological analyses, the research aims to identify, interpret, and understand the contextual dynamics of local Islamic culture, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the region’s Islamic civilizational heritage. The findings reveal a process of adaptation and acculturation closely intertwined with Islamic ideals and concepts. The artefacts uncovered, particularly those from the Kapulo and Jere sites, serve as concrete evidence of the early development of Islamic civilization in Bolaang Mongondow.

In this study, it is acknowledged that sacred concepts influence the formation of sacred spaces and serve as a non-verbal language of expression. Accordingly, the research examines how the concrete manifestations of sacred concepts in Islam are reflected in the design principles shaping mosque architecture. The scope of the study is limited to five sacred concepts in Islam: wahdaniyet (unity), beka (eternity), ilim (knowledge), might, and the hereafter. The effects of these five concepts on the architectural design of the Süleymaniye Mosque, selected as the case study, were investigated. Data were collected through literature review, on-site visual observation and examination, and photography. The semiotic method was employed to conduct semantic and syntactic analyses of the obtained data. As a result, sub-concepts derived from the main sacred concepts were identified, and the semantic dimensions of these sub-concepts, along with the design principles reflected in their syntactic dimensions, were presented in separate tables. The findings indicate that the fundamental design principles reflected in each sacred concept in the semantic dimension predominantly embody unity and appropriateness. This study is significant as it provides a reference for the tangible expression of abstract sacred concepts that shape religious buildings, ensuring their design aligns with their intended spiritual functions. Moreover, the proposed analytical model is expected to make a valuable contribution to the literature and to architectural design education by offering a semiotic framework for interpreting sacred meanings, thereby facilitating the design of religious spaces.

Rapid urbanization in predominantly Muslim regions of Southeast Asia has significantly altered architectural design, shifting from privacy-oriented spatial layouts—such as courtyards and mashrabiyas—to open-plan urban models. This study examines the integration of Islamic values, particularly privacy and culturally sensitive spatial organization, into contemporary urban planning. By conducting a narrative literature review (NLR) of academic research, policy documents, and case studies, this research explores the impact of modernization on privacy considerations within Islamic architecture. The findings reveal the dual impact of surveillance technologies and smart systems, which enhance security but also pose risks to privacy. This study highlights the tension between privacy-conscious spatial organization and the increasing presence of digital monitoring systems in urban settings. The proposed framework promotes a balanced approach through zoning strategies, community engagement, and sustainable architectural solutions that preserve cultural identity while accommodating modernization. By integrating established privacy-oriented design principles with contemporary urban planning, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers and architects in designing inclusive and socially responsive environments. However, as this study relies on secondary sources, future research should incorporate empirical studies, including fieldwork and community engagement, to develop context-specific strategies. Comparative analyses across diverse socio-political settings will further clarify how different urban policies support or challenge the preservation of Islamic architectural values in contemporary cityscapes.

In Islamic architecture, the embodiment of building works of art radiates from both physical and metaphysical aspects, drawing on Islamic thought concepts originating from the Al-Qur'an and Hadith. The idea of sustainable architecture is an environmentally design approach that makes use of and pays attention to the balance and resources of the environment. This research aims to examine the correlation between Islamic architecture and sustainable architecture in the Grand Mosque and the Islamic Center in Sidrap. A qualitative method was used in this study to provide descriptive data in the form of written descriptions and visual representations of the research object. Through a case study, this descriptive qualitative method was employed to analyze and compare how the two mosque buildings, the Sidrap Great Mosque and the Sidrap Islamic Center, incorporate sustainable architecture in conjunction with Islamic architecture. The research found that both the Sidrap Islamic Center Grand Mosque and the Sidrap Great Mosque have implemented sustainability aspects through their mosque designs, although improvement might be needed in some aspects to achieve a more sustainable design.

This study investigates the integration of QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) in mosque architecture as both a digital innovation and a cultural intervention. Using qualitative case studies of three iconic mosques in Indonesia: Al-Jabbar (Bandung), Sheikh Zayed (Solo), and Hubbul Wathan (Lombok), the research analyzes how QRIS impacts visitor experience, philanthropic participation, and the preservation of architectural and cultural values. Drawing on theories of technology acceptance, vernacular architecture, and experiential learning, the study finds that QRIS can enrich mosque functionality without disrupting sacred spatial aesthetics. It also reveals the importance of inclusive design in ensuring that digital tools benefit diverse visitor groups. While emphasizing the transformative potential of QRIS, the study also notes challenges related to digital literacy and infrastructural disparities. This research contributes to current debates on digital heritage, smart religious spaces, and the adaptive use of technology in sustaining Islamic cultural identity.

This study examines the history of the Kaaba, the spiritual center and Islamic architecture, using a historical approach and linking it to the instructions in the Scriptures. Combining textual analysis and historical context, the author explores how the Kaaba is described and perceived in Islamic literature and how this is reflected in related architectural designs. Qualitative methods are used to interpret historical narratives about the Kaaba and to understand their implications for architectural practice in Islamic civilization. This research highlights the role of the Kaaba in shaping Muslim identity and spirituality and its relevance to Islamic architecture. The findings from this study provide a deeper insight into the relationship and relationships between the history of the Kaaba religion, the instruction of Kaaba in the Qur'an, Hadith, and architectural expressions, which relate to the function of space for worship activities that have the potential to enhance our understanding of the importance of the room of prayer (shalat). This worship activity is an Islamic spirituality that applies faithfulness (fidelity) and loyalty to the clarity of Islamic architecture.

The cities of the Levant, such as Damascus, Jerusalem (Al-Quds), and Aleppo, witnessed the widespread construction of private tombs for the sultans and emirs of the Zengid, Ayyubid, and Mamluk dynasties, as well as for prominent members of Levantine society, including religious figures and merchants. This study examines the symbolism of these tombs as a cultural intersection between religion and society by analyzing their architectural elements and describing their designs, which range from simple to grand. It also examines the Islamic legal stance on its components, based on the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as recorded in the recognized Hadith collections of Sunni Muslims. Additionally, the study aims to highlight the social customs associated with these tombs and their reflection of cultural perspectives and perceptions of death. It investigates whether the community neglected these tombs, causing them to fade with time, or whether they were preserved as witnesses to civilization. One of the most important findings of the study is that the word "soil" (Turba), which means "private cemetery," has become synonymous among Levantines with "mosque," "school," "library," and "orphanage." So, the concept of private Levantine cemeteries has evolved from a deserted place inhabited by the dead, shrouded in sadness and fear, to a vibrant, life-filled place where the living coexist with the dead, offering a sense of joy and hope. The private Levantine cemeteries supported the Islamic scientific movement; they became icons embodying the art of Islamic material civilization and served as centers of Islamic intellectual civilization.

Urban heritage is a vital repository of cultures and is often protected through various methods. Postmodern architecture emerged as a response to modern architecture, aiming to return to nostalgia. It has varied in its approach to heritage and differs from place to place, resulting in a diversity of its products. This paper aims to use postmodern architectural methods to revive heritage and local architecture in Mosul, linking new additions to the old city's history and heritage. The research employed a quantitative method, with a semi-structured questionnaire on proposed designs inspired by postmodern architectural trends. The results showed that many postmodern architectural trends offer varying degrees of opportunity to preserve the spirit of the city's heritage and history. The principal trends of the postmodern movement, such as neo-realism, Neoclassicism, and neo-rationalism, have the potential to provide innovative modern designs that reflect the spirit of history and preserve the Islamic architectural heritage of the city in varying ‎ratios that can be further developed. Future studies could investigate the potential of presenting designs that reflect the architectural characteristics of historic buildings to yield more comprehensive, generalizable results.

This study undertakes a comprehensive examination of color as a distinctive and impactful feature in the artistic and architectural expressions of the Ottoman Empire, with a specific focus on its visual impact on historical inscriptions in Greece. By delving into the reasons and motivations underlying the Ottomans' extensive use of color, this research elucidates the effect it had on the viewer's perception and interpretation. Applying this analytical lens to the oldest extant Ottoman Mosque in Greece, the Sultan Bayezid II Mosque in Didymóteichon, the paper presents a nuanced exploration of the visual impact generated by color within the inscriptional elements of this significant edifice. The findings demonstrate how the Ottomans' strategic deployment of color, mainly through the skilful juxtaposition of contrasting hues and harmonious combinations, enhances the aesthetic appeal of the inscriptions, conveying a tangible sense of authority and captivating the viewer's attention. This research provides a novel perspective for understanding the sophisticated visual communication strategies employed in Ottoman epigraphy, underscoring the pivotal role of color as a crucial element in shaping the inscriptions' visual resonance and symbolic import. This study offers valuable insights into the cultural, aesthetic, and communicative dimensions of Ottoman visual culture by illuminating the multifaceted significance of chromatic expression within this artistic tradition.

This paper addresses the historical significance of Turgut Cansever’s project for the redesign of the Beyazıt Square in Istanbul owing to its effort to recreate the particularity of a place through the articulation of motion, orientation, and ornamentation. The paper argues that the Beyazıt Square project is crucial for Cansever’s construction of an aesthetic based on the Islamic ‘world-conception’ through the interpretation of texts, as well as historic and modern places and buildings. Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate that Cansever’s Beyazıt Square project, initiated in 1960, is one of the earliest and most notable manifestations of his theoretical concepts. The methodology of the study relies on investigating the correlation between the partially applied project and the architect’s theoretical ideas, which he developed through intertextual readings on architecture, philosophy, and religion, with a particular focus on Sufism. This concept has evolved. The sources of the investigation include texts written by the architect or others on his work since 1949, the original drawings of the project, and the physical changes that the square underwent between 1505 and the present day. Personal communications with the daughter and son-in-law of Cansever, who are also architects and have collaborated with him for a long time, are valuable sources for this investigation. This study demonstrates that the fundamentals of Cansever’s theoretical ideas predate 1960, with the majority emerging in a more articulate form through his writings, interviews, and speeches after 1980. It shows that Cansever made connections between the main precepts of Modernism and his interpretation of the Islamic principles of art and architecture around 1960. It also makes clear that the recent adaptation of the unfinished project in 2023 is due to the relevance of these theoretical ideas for the popular but relatively weak pursuits of discovering and reconnecting with the principles and values of the Islamic built environment. Perhaps the most important benefit of this text lies in its presentation of the application of spatial and phenomenological concepts by a non-Western, Muslim architect in a public space.