The Evolution of Mosques in Early Islamic Architecture

Abstract

The study of Islamic architecture in depth has been singularly neglected by Western scholars despite extensive documentation and descriptive studies. In my dissertation, I will examine the early Islamic Mosque Architecture and analyze how political, religious, and cultural changes influenced the development of Islamic architecture during the early Islamic period (7th-9th CE) as they pertain to Muslim mosques. In this dissertation, the spatial configuration of early mosques is analyzed to determine their impact on their function. At the beginning of Islam, mosques were built in a simple, symbolic manner. Nevertheless, the spread of Islam led to the development of many different styles reflecting the diversity of cultures and identities in each region. Analyzing architectural changes in early Islamic landscapes reveals a distinct visual strategy for spreading the newly created forms throughout the Muslim world.