The future of Islamic architecture

Written by Administrator | 04 January 2012

Certain architectural features have become fixed and eternal. In this modern world, they help us find our architectural roots and remain true to our identity.

Almost every architectural structure addresses, in a direct sense, cultural identity and philosophy within a physical context.

If we want to understand, appreciate, and evaluate the architectural quality of a building, we need to develop a sense of dimension, topography, climate, material, structure, and proportion, and of the surrounding physical environment -- both natural and human-made. This sense goes far beyond the building's ability to serve utilitarian needs.

The Islamic world -- and the Middle East in particular -- is undergoing a transformation today unprecedented in its history, writes architect Garry Martin in the essay "Building in the Middle East Today -- in Search of a Direction." Oil wealth, along with social and political change, have threatened Islamic culture and traditions. This identity crisis is readily apparent in architectural design.

A desire for rapid development, Martin notes, brought to the Middle East the massive importation of Western technology, planning, design and constructional expertise. Many of the new buildings in the Middle East, continues Martin, are direct imitations of Western models that were designed for another culture -- and they are creating an alien environment in Islamic communities.

Madinah as a Haram (Sanctuary)

Written by Spahic | 23 December 2011

The Prophet’s unique treatment of the environment reached a climax when he declared that the city of Madinah is sacred, or a sanctuary (Haram). According to the declaration, the city flora and fauna must be protected, not only by the general Islamic commandments encompassing the whole of earth, but also by a set of special ones meant only for it. This is something like what the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) did to Makkah.[1] Except for some pressing legitimate necessities, such as safety, welfare, medication and saving one’s life, the Madinah ecosystem is to be neither perturbed nor exploited. For example -- according to Al-Sayyid Sabiq -- because the residents of Madinah are not self-sufficient in terms of animal feed, they are allowed to use trees and grass for their animals. The residents of Makkah, on the other hand, are not permitted to cut even the grass for the purpose, because they have sufficient supply for their animal feed.[2] The Prophet (pbuh) likewise permitted the people of Madinah to cut trees for making plows, carts and other necessary tools and equipments.[3]