Mosque Architecture: A Transdisciplinary Debate

Abstract

The Mosque (Masjid) is the center of the spiritual, moral, and cultural life in Muslim societies. Having retained its key spatial, visual, and physical characteristics over the centuries, the Mosque has also been a subject of a sublime transformation. While the key features, and most profoundly, the symbolism of the Mosque remain intact, the Mosque design and architecture follow and adapt to the evolution of the Muslim society and its context. The Mosque, and so the Mosque architecture, serve as evidence of resilience and sustainability inherent in Muslim culture and heritage. This chapter offers an insight into the book’s content and objectives, and hence should serve as a useful guide for anyone interested in exploring the Mosque architecture as a carrier of culture, heritage, and sustainability of Muslim communities; and seeking a bias-free introduction to the intricacies of the Muslim culture.