Islamic Mosques and Architecture - 1999-2018

1.Mosquees: Splendeurs de l’Islam, Citadelles & Mazenod, 2018, 303 pages in French, Hardcover,

Mosquées : Splendeurs de l’Islam is a lavishly illustrated art and architecture book exploring the mosque as one of Islam’s most profound cultural and spiritual symbols. Published by Citadelles & Mazenod in September 2018 and edited by Leyla Uluhanli with a foreword by the prince Amyn Aga Khan, the volume traces the development of mosque architecture from its origins in Arabia to contemporary masterpieces around the world. It presents over sixty significant sites — from the earliest mosque in Medina and the iconic Great Mosque of Córdoba to the Imam Mosque of Isfahan, the Süleymaniye in Istanbul, and cutting-edge modern designs in Doha or Toronto — highlighting how form and function merge across regions and eras. Essays and commentaries unpack architectural elements (domes, minarets, courtyards), decorative arts such as calligraphy and tilework, and the varied social roles mosques have played as places of worship, learning, and community life. Rich, often previously unpublished photographs of interiors, exteriors, gardens, and fountains bring these sacred spaces vividly to life, offering both an aesthetic celebration and a scholarly introduction to Islamic architectural heritage.


2.Ornament and Decoration in Islamic Architecture, Dominique Clevenot and Gerard Degeorge, Thames & Hudson, 2000, 223 pages in English, Hardcover

Ornament and Decoration in Islamic Architecture is a richly illustrated study that examines the central role of surface ornament in the building traditions of the Islamic world. Rather than focusing solely on chronological history, the book explores four complementary approaches to understanding decoration in Islamic architecture: an overview of architectural diversity, the materials and techniques used by craftsmen, thematic explorations of ornamental motifs, and the aesthetics of ornamentation as an expressive art. It explains how, in the context of Islamic artistic conventions—particularly the general avoidance of figural representation—architects and artisans developed highly sophisticated systems of patterns, mosaics, stucco, brickwork, and ceramic decoration to convey symbolic meaning, spiritual resonance, and visual harmony. The narrative is illustrated with hundreds of photographs and detailed examples from celebrated monuments such as the Taj Mahal and Alhambra, showcasing geometric designs, arabesques, calligraphy, and architectural surfaces across regions and periods. The book offers both architectural insight and aesthetic appreciation, making it valuable to students of Islamic art, architecture enthusiasts, and general readers interested in the visual culture of the Islamic world.


3.The Story of Islamic Architecture, Richard Yeomans, 1999, 240 pages in English, Hardcover

The Story of Islamic Architecture offers a sweeping, chronological narrative of Islamic architectural history, tracing its emergence and evolution from the earliest centuries of Islam to its mature expressions across a vast geographic expanse. Beginning with a brief overview of the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and the foundational religious principles that shaped Islamic artistic sensibilities, Richard Yeomans demonstrates how theology, social practice, and cultural exchange influenced the development of architectural forms. The book highlights key periods and regions — from Umayyad and Abbasid early monuments, through the unique achievements in Spain, North Africa, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Persia, and Central Asia, to later developments in South Asia — showing how diverse cultural traditions contributed to a cohesive architectural identity. Richly illustrated with over 200 color photographs, plans, and elevations, the work explains characteristic features such as mosque layouts, domes, minarets, ornamentation, and spatial organization. Yeomans’s accessible prose balances scholarly description with vivid visual appreciation, making this volume both an engaging introduction for general readers and a useful reference for students of Islamic art and architecture.


4.Splendours of Islam, Mosques, foreword by Prince Amun Aga Khan, preface by Leyla Uluhanli, Rizzoli, 2017, 304 pages in English

Splendours of Islam, Mosques is a visually stunning architectural survey that celebrates the mosque as one of the most profound expressions of Islamic culture and spirituality. Edited by Leyla Uluhanli with a foreword by Prince Amyn Aga Khan and an introduction by Renata Holod, the book brings together insights from leading scholars and design authorities to explore more than sixty remarkable mosques from across the globe. Spanning the earliest places of worship in Mecca and Medina to contemporary masterpieces, it traces the evolution of mosque form, function, and ornamentation through centuries of dynamic cultural exchange. Iconic historic sites — such as the Great Mosque of Córdoba, the Imam Mosque of Isfahan, and the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul — are juxtaposed with innovative modern designs like the Sancaklar Mosque, illustrating how traditional elements (domes, minarets, courtyards, calligraphy, tilework) continue to inspire today’s architects. Richly illustrated with original and archival photographs of exteriors, interiors, gardens, and decorative details, this volume offers both architectural scholarship and aesthetic appreciation for anyone fascinated by Islamic art and sacred architecture.

5.The Mosque: History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity, edited by Martin Frishman and Hasan Uddin Khan, Thames & Hudson, 2002, 288 pages in English, Softcover

The Mosque: History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity is widely regarded as a foundational reference on mosque architecture, combining historical depth with global scope. Edited by architect Martin Frishman and scholar Hasan-Uddin Khan, with contributions by sixteen leading experts, the book traces the evolution of the mosque from its origins in Medina and Mecca in the time of the Prophet Muhammad to its diverse contemporary expressions worldwide. It situates the mosque as both an architectural form and a central institution in Muslim societies, explaining its religious functions alongside its role as a social and educational center. The narrative is structured regionally, showing how local materials, craftsmanship, climate, and cultural influences shaped distinctive styles from West Africa and Spain to Iran, Central Asia, Turkey, South Asia, China, and Southeast Asia. Key architectural elements — like the mihrab, dome, minaret, geometric ornament and calligraphy — are analyzed with plans, elevations, and 378 illustrations, including many in color. A dedicated section on modern mosques explores how contemporary needs and architectural innovations interact with tradition, making this volume both scholarly and visually rich.