Contemporary Mosques Research Articles

The Symbolism of Contemporary Mosques Minarets between the Content and the Heritage. (Dept. A)

The Symbolism of Contemporary Mosques Minarets between the Content and the Heritage. (Dept. A)

Needs and wants in mosque architecture

Generally, the study on mosque architecture focuses partly on classifying mosque forms or exploring the historical, socio-cultural, and political meanings behind the architectural design of mosques. This study puts forward a new concept of an interesting relationship between the needs of Islamic ritual activities and the wants of certain traditions that underlie the diversity of mosque architectural forms in Indonesia. Therefore, the search for these two essential aspects of mosque architecture is important to position the diversity of mosque architectural forms in the context of architectural design that continues to evolve. In line with these issues, this study analyzes the concepts of needs and wants that underlie the design of traditional, and contemporary mosques in West Java. The analysis process is carried out by comparing ideograms that represent the concept of the need for Islamic fiqh-based ritual activities, with typograms that represent the elements of the scope and mosque space in the study cases. Furthermore, the analysis results show that the expression of the architectural form of the mosque in each case study is more influenced by the wants of the pious congregation and the personal wants of the architect.

Rejoicing the visual richness in mosque architecture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Mosque construction and expansion in the modern world is a significant achievement, particularly in Muslim majority communities. A mosque is a single building that serves as a center for both religious and social activities. Mosques must be designed to reflect religious beliefs, social values, and the local environment. Aside from being a functional location for salah (prayer), it also has symbolic value as a representation of Muslim religious beliefs and life after death. This study is focused on the visual richness of the mosque's architectural design and the identification of those elements that adds fullness to the experiential qualities of the mosques. This research uses a case study approach to evaluate mosque projects in various locales across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Various architectural features of mosques were recognized used for adding visual richness in design and then classified based on their historical significance. A comparison of mosques' design architectural elements is carried out. The findings point to a consistency in the incorporation of functional elements, while the aesthetic elements are more locale-specific. The aesthetic elements need to be treated as an important component of mosque design. This work has further elaborated the need for the re-establishment of the importance of aesthetic values in contemporary mosque architecture and recommended its revival.

Adaptive Study of Spirituality in the Interior of Past and Contemporary Mosques with a Neuroscience Approach and EEG-VR Method

Adaptive Study of Spirituality in the Interior of Past and Contemporary Mosques with a Neuroscience Approach and EEG-VR Method

Review: Architecture of the Islamic West: North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, 700–1800

Review: <i>Architecture of the Islamic West: North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, 700–1800</i>

Energy Modelling of Traditional and Contemporary Mosque Buildings in Oman

Building energy efficiency is vital to achieve human thermal comfort with minimum energy consumption. It is a great concern in extremely hot countries such as Oman. This study aims to investigate the thermal performance of contemporary mosque buildings in comparison to traditional mosque buildings in Oman. The research methodology employs energy modelling using EDSL’s Tas Engineering computer simulation software. The analysis focused on how traditional mosque buildings compare to contemporary mosque buildings in terms of dry bulb air temperature and different thermal loads. The outcome showed the traditional mosque building design and construction are better suited for free-running buildings, while contemporary mosque building design and construction achieved less cooling load demand per area.

Analyzing the Quality of in-between Spaces of Mosque and City: Comparative study of Entrances in Regional “Traditional and Modern” contemporary Mosque in Tehran

Analyzing the Quality of in-between Spaces of Mosque and City: Comparative study of Entrances in Regional “Traditional and Modern” contemporary Mosque in Tehran

The current trends in mosque architecture in the northern cities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

PurposeThe main aim of this study is to identify the prevailing design trends in contemporary mosques in northern cities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It highlights the key elements and features to categorize mosques.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review, four major stylistic expressions were identified, which formed the theoretical basis for a survey conducted to study 50 mosques in each of the four northern cities: Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. The 200 visited mosques were investigated and analyzed based on the four categories. The comparison between these mosques enabled the author to identify the key elements and features that can be adopted in classifying mosques in relation to the four main trends.FindingsThe study reveals that there is a strong attachment with local historic styles. In total, 86% of the mosques follow traditional and historic styles. While 74% of Sharjah mosques follow historicism, 64–72% in the other cities adopt local traditional. Almost all investigated mosques follow one layout, but with diverse stylistic expressions. Some major elements are common among all mosques, while other minor elements are found in all congregational mosques. The study identified key indicators that can be used to help classifying mosques in other cities and countries.Originality/valueThis is the first study to categorize mosques in the UAE. There are few studies on mosques in Sharjah and Ajman, focusing on typology and sustainability, with less emphasis on styles. The results of this study can be considered by architects as well as by authorities. It can also be used as a reference for other studies.

An Analytical Approach to the Invitation quality of Contemporary Mosques (Case Study: Mosques of Tehran)

An Analytical Approach to the Invitation quality of Contemporary Mosques (Case Study: Mosques of Tehran)

Design Visions for the Future of Contemporary Mosque Architecture between Identity and Originality.(Dept.A)

Mosque architecture is one of the most important features of Islamic architecture throughout the ages, and it is a center of intellectual and religious radiation in which Islamic civilization grew, but if there is any change affecting the identity of the mosque or its traditional concept and sacred personality influenced by advanced technology from the West with its objectives and ideas in an attempt to take advantage of the modern possibilities available, forgetting the main function and cultural spirit of mosques that annul the original values of our architecture and obliterate the local identity, privacy and belonging of the cultural heritage of the city. By identifying proposals and visions about mosque architecture and development, with regard to the philosophy of mosque design, spatial characteristics, visual dimensions, community options for the site, and building technology, the research addresses current trends and expected future visions of the architecture of contemporary mosques, which are an important pillar for Muslim communities in all Throughout the world, it remains an important center for spiritual, moral and cultural life in Muslim societies, despite the preservation of its overall spatial, visual, cultural, social and spiritual characteristics over the centuries, but the design of contemporary mosques has undergone various transformations that emphasize its centrality and adaptability to Islamic community developments. The problem of research comes in: the loss of heritage identity and originality in the designs of contemporary Arab and Islamic architecture mosques, which are characterized by the weakness of the new mosque architecture designs by the requirements: functional, security and safety, environmental and aesthetic, so that they meet the needs of the worshippers and combine between 'originality' and 'creativity' in Saudi Arabia. The research includes five main parts: the first part of the presented in terms of objectives, problems and methodology, while the second part discusses the general concepts and four directions of the architecture of the mosques of the future, the main components and design considerations and requirements for evaluating the architecture of contemporary mosques, and The third part presents the practical framework for evaluating the standards and design requirements on two mosques with different environments in (Riyadh city and Medina), to develop a governing framework for the architectural design process of the architecture of contemporary mosques, and The fourth part includes: presenting the results of the field survey of the views of worshippers and users in the mosques of the school districts to reach the general population's satisfaction with the mosques, and the research ends in the fifth part: The results of the questionnaire, the summary and the most important results and recommendations.

مطالعۀ رویکرد معماران در طراحی مساجد معاصر (نمونۀ موردی: مساجد جندی‌شاپور اهواز، شیخ بن زائد ابوظبی، مرعشی مصر، کلن، ولیعصر تهران)

AbstractThis article studies the approach applied by the architects of the contemporary Islamic world to design and build mosques in different parts of the world. In this research, five contemporary mosques, built from 1968 to 2019, were selected and analyzed to figure out to what extent contemporary architects have used traditional architectural styles, their creativity or contemporary art forms to design mosques, and in case of putting aside traditional practices, what new ideas they applied to maintain the social and spiritual functions of mosques. In this research, the design method of the Jundishapur Mosque in Ahvaz, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the Marashi Mosque in Egypt, the Cologne Central Mosque, the Valiasr Mosque in Tehran was studied. The architect’s approach and the designer’s suggestions to replace old methods with new ones and whether it succeeded to fulfill the visual and spiritual functions of the mosque based on the requirements of Islamic mosque design were investigated for each of the case studies. The research data was collected through bibliographical and field studies and was examined using a descriptive-analytical method.

Negotiating Gendered Religious Space: Australian Muslim Women and the Mosque

Women’s presence and role in contemporary mosques in Western countries is contested within and outside Muslim communities, but research on this topic is limited and only a few studies consider women’s roles inside mosques in Australia. There is a complex intersection of gender and religion in public sacred spaces in all religious communities, including Muslim communities. Women’s role in these spaces has often been restricted. They are largely invisible in both public sacred spaces and in public rituals such as congregational prayers. Applying a feminist lens to religion and gender, this article explores how a mosque as a socially constructed space can both enable and restrict Australian Muslim women’s religious identity, participation, belonging and activism. Based on written online qualitative interviews with twenty Muslim women members of three Australian Muslim online Facebook groups, this article analyses the women’s experiences with their local mosques as well as their views on gender segregation.

PROFILING OF ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY SCRIPTS USED FOR ARCHITECTURAL DECORATION OF MASJID IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

In Malaysia, the introduction of the Islamic calligraphy, especially after the spread of Islam in the 14th century has impacted on the further development of decorative art in the built environment. While Islamic calligraphy has witnessed significant developments in the past decades, it still lacks a profiling classification system of calligraphy scripts that give impact to the contemporary mosque. The objectives of the study are to analyse the visual qualities of the calligraphy scripts in the mosque components and its compositional categories and to determine the relationship between the calligraphy placement and the mosque architecture within the interior and exterior fabrics of the buildings. This research involved an analytical review of the Islamic calligraphy found in the 10 selected mosques in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and their depiction in various components. Face-to-face interviews with the mosque authorities and local calligraphers on the types and styles of scripts used in the mosque components were conducted as a complementary measure to the analytical method. The analysis reveals the application of cursive and angular style of scripts, fabricated in specified shapes, sizes and dimensions of the mosque components. Selection and depiction of calligraphy, especially in Thuluth and Kufi scripts suggest their strong preference to the traditional major styles ranging from its composition to the determination of its positional layout regardless of differences in the mosque architecture style.

Re-Discovering the Ingenuity of Contemporary Malaysian Mosques’ Architecturral Characterisitic As One of the Prime Symbol of South-Asian Islamic Tourism Hub

To develop Malaysia into the most popular Islamic tourism hub in the world, it is important to identify and promote the uniqueness of Malaysia in terms of tourist spots, facilities and Muslim-friendly practices. Currently Malaysia faces tough competition with similar Islamic tourism hubs such as Turkey and the UAE. Staying ahead in this race requires efficient ‘Rebranding’ of the tourist spots and facilities. Malaysia’s tourism potential is enhanced by its rich cultural diversity. This is reflected by the wide range of architectural styles that contribute to Malaysia’s unique architecture. This is particularly evident in the country’s mosques which are constructed in various styles reflecting colonial, modernism and modern contemporary stylistic influences inspired by a number of ethnic subcultures, foreign influences, technology utilization, and the political environment. In this research, three contemporary mosques have been selected for investigation. Generally, the architectural styles of the modern mosque can be grouped into two categories. The first category contains the modern styles which emphasize the advancement in building technology and engineering (i.e. Masjid Tunku Mizan Zainal Abidin). The second category covers the Islamic influences found in countries including Turkey, the Middle East, and Northern Africa (i.e. Masjid Putra). This research will attempt to formulate framework to re-evaluate the classifications for these two categories, before suggesting how these distinctive features might encourage Islamic tourism in Malaysia. &#x0D; Keyword: Tourism, Uniqueness, Contemporary Malaysian Mosque.

Islamic Architectures of Self-Inclusion and Assurance in a Multicultural Society

ABSTRACT Although Muslim migration to Australia’s new world settler society has a long pedigree, their population and civic presence have grown in recent decades. New generations of Muslim migrants require the nation to engage with their histories and post-secular religious pluralism. Part of their history can be traced through their places of worship. This includes temporary structures along the inland telegraph route (the 1850s), the first permanent mosques in South Australia (Adelaide, 1888) and Victoria (Shepparton, 1956–60), and a variety of contemporary mosques as the population grows – indicating more settled lives. The aim was/is to provide sites of communal, spiritual, cultural, social, and educational guidance. Mosques often comprise(d) hybrid designs using a combination of local materials to fit with the existing built environment and to integrate unobtrusively. Recent examples of mosque development indicate a qualitative shift based on interacting social imaginaries of both Muslims and non-Muslims, which serves two key symbolic and social functions: as architectures of self-inclusion, and as architectures of assurance to the dominant, non-Muslim public in a society that resolutely “others” the Islamic faith and Muslim people. This paper explores the complex implications of this two-fold self-inclusion/assurance discourse by way of two case studies: the Hobson’s Bay mosque in Melbourne and the proposed Bendigo mosque.

THE MINARET: A REASSESSMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL FUNCTION AND RELIGIOUS VALUE, IN LIGHT OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY

This essay seeks to provide a theoretical discussion of the normative and juristic position with respect to building and using minarets in contemporary mosques. It provides arguments dealing with its function and purpose and the way mu'adhen should relate to it in light of current loudspeaker technology. The essay investigates relevant religious scripture and authoritative scholarly textbooks on the subject matter, in attempt to deduce the proper rulings of 'Fiqh' on basic issues pertaining to programming and designing a place for propagating adhan from the mosque. More fitting alternatives are proposed with general theoretical guidelines for architects and urban designers. The author concludes that traditional minarets are no longer needed in contemporary mosques, and that the expenses that they cost should be invested elsewhere. Loudspeaker Towers are far more practical and far less costly. The author also proposes a kiosk outside the mosque for the mu'adhen, since he argues that adhan should not be delivered from inside the mosque. These findings are expected to challenge commonly held beliefs with respect to a minaret, and the author looks forward to rigorous and scholarly discussions on the matter.

The restricted heritage significance of historic mosques in Qatar

ABSTRACT The study of contemporary mosque rehabilitation and restoration projects in Qatar reveals that the relationship between cultural heritage subjects and their actual and potential stewards is complicated and possibly fragile. In this article, I discuss the efforts put towards identifying stakeholders for a mosque preservation initiative in Qatar and the challenges that it encountered in the context of shifting politics of heritage construction. Rather than focus on specific attitudes that may give rise to an apparent failure of such a preservation initiative, I discuss the how failure of heritage preservation projects can be examined productively in the study of preservation practices and discourses. I consider, specifically, the ways in which institutions forge stewardship through stakeholder engagement in order to discuss how material culture is made to acquire significance as a modern “Islamic” and Qatari heritage.

Follow-up and renewal in the employment of the Islamic architectural heritage (Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo and Meikat Mosque in Medina as a case study)

The concept of employment for the Islamic architectural heritage takes great place and attention by architects or those who study and analyze the Islamic heritage in architecture. However, most of the architectural applications that appear on the ground focus on the physical aspect of that heritage as it represents the visual image of it and the most relevant aspect of the memory of Islamic societies in the Eastern and Western Islamic world. This causes the problem of the artisanal transport of the heritage of the Islamic architectural heritage without looking at this heritage objectively and understanding the social and cultural circumstances and causes that led to its emergence as it is. The research assumes that the Islamic architectural heritage possesses rich intellectual and material resources that can be utilized nowadays in contemporary projects if they are removed from imitation and direct form transport. The research focuses specifically on the architecture of the mosques and selects two old models, the Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo and the Mashhad in the ninth century AD, and the Meikat Mosque in Medina and Mashad at the end of the 20th century. The research aims at shedding light on the concept of followers in the building of contemporary Islamic mosques as a mechanism for employing the Islamic architectural heritage and identifying the defects in the process of followings and the surrounding areas in the building of contemporary mosques.

Adaptation of local wisdom in contemporary mosque design for achieving good building physics and earthquake resistance

The paper aims at proposing the implication of the local wisdom value in designing a contemporary mosque. Local wisdom works successfully in determining a suitable design of vernacular buildings such as traditional mosque. It comprises the considerations on building physics such as sufficient thermal comfort, good daylighting and room acoustics which meets the standard. These parameters are also running fitly with traditional wooden structure of the mosque which is resistant against the earthquake. This article analyses two old mosques in Aceh, Indonesia which are still well standing across their ages. The wooden mosques are Indrapuri mosque in Aceh Besar and Tengku Dipucok Krueng Mosque in Pidie Jaya. The evaluation of the mosques was carried out through observations and some field measurements. This article further examines the adaptations of the local wisdom of the mosque pertaining the buildingphysics and the earthquake resistance that can be applied in the contemporary mosque.

A Comparative Study of Minarets of Contemporary Jamia Mosques and Mughal Historical Mosques of Lahore

Jamia mosque retains the status of a major landmark in any Muslim neighborhood since ages and remains one of the most important institutions of the Muslim world. A minaret, with its typical shape, has always been a significant architectural element of a mosque. However scientific, technological and industrial developments gave birth to new structural forms and shapes of the minaret, as well as changes in its positioning with respect to its design. It was observed that contemporary features and styles of minarets in Lahore were found to be different from the historic mosques of the Mughal era in terms of their form, construction methodology, structure support system, material finishes and positioning. Therefore, it was considered necessary to study the current developments. Thus, the objective of the current paper was set to compare the architectural features and styles of minarets of the Mughal era historical mosques with those of contemporary mosques built in the newly established housing colonies of Lahore. The research was also focused on the evaluation of changes in the stylistic features of the new minarets. Another objective was the identification of factors responsible for new developments and contemporary trends in the construction of these minarets. The results proved that some elements had been used continuously in the construction of minarets throughout the course of history; however, certain changes in trends were also observed. The study concluded that architectural features and styles of minarets constructed in contemporary mosques were different due to changes in materials, technological development and also due to the lack of skilled labor and time. Recommendations were given to ensure that architectural features and styles of contemporary minarets should continue to incorporate traditional Mughal architectural features and styles. There should be a properly developed statutory body of experts responsible for the preparation of sound legislation and appropriate guidelines for the systematic development of contemporary mosques.