Thursday 21st November 2024
Open Monday - Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Closed Tuesday 5 November
Thursday 21st November 2024
Open Monday - Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Closed Tuesday 5 November
When it comes to Islamic architecture, mosques are the cornerstone, showcasing architectural designs with features like domes, minarets and mihrabs. However, early mosques were simple and lacked these elements. The muezzin, responsible for the call to prayer, would stand on flat rooftops to alert people of prayer times. Today, mosques serve multiple social functions, providing counselling, education, soup kitchens and even hosting marriage and funeral ceremonies.
Mosques worldwide reflect their cultural origins, displaying traditional and unique architectural styles. Explore these unique architectural designs worldwide and how modern architects are moving away from "traditional" designs and displaying a wide range of both modern and cultural elements.
Islam began spreading in Indonesia in the 12th century through traders from Arabia, with a significant expansion in Java during the 14th and 15th centuries by Indian merchants. Mosques from this period, like the Menara Kudus Mosque, built in the 1540s, were constructed using abundant Javanese teak wood and incorporated local architecture with Hindu and Buddhist influences. These mosques often used materials such as fibre, bamboo and timber.
Image credit: Good News from Indonesia
Islam began spreading in Indonesia in the 12th century through traders from Arabia, with a significant expansion in Java during the 14th and 15th centuries by Indian merchants. Mosques from this period, like the Menara Kudus Mosque, built in the 1540s, were constructed using abundant Javanese teak wood and incorporated local architecture with Hindu and Buddhist influences. These mosques often used materials such as fibre, bamboo and timber.
Image credit: Jaico Publishing House
The Sancaklar Mosque in Istanbul, winner of the Best Religious Building at the World Architecture Festival in 2013, blends into the landscape, resembling a simple cave. Turkish architect Emre Arolat designed it to foster a deeper connection with God, free from cultural distractions. The mosque's hidden prayer space, built into a hillside, allows subtle daylight through slits in the qiblah wall. Worshippers descend into a courtyard with a teahouse, communal area and library.
Image credit: EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture
Pakistan’s national mosque, Faisal Masjid, is beneath the Margalla Hills in Islamabad. Designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay and funded by Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal, its geometric sloping roofs are inspired by a Bedouin tent, making it a prominent landmark.
Image credit: Construction Week
Red Mosque, Sri Lanka
The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque or Red Mosque, in Pettah was built in 1908 to meet the growing demand for a more prominent place of worship. Designed by Habibu Labbe Saibu Labbe, it features Indo-Saracenic architectural elements with unique pomegranate-shaped domes and red and pale yellow horizontal stripes, earning its nickname.
Image credit: The National
The Education City Mosque in Doha, designed by Iraqi architect and calligrapher Taha Al Hiti, features vertical calligraphy on its minarets that draw the eye heavenward. Supported by five pillars representing the Five Pillars of Islam, the mosque's outdoor spaces include four streams symbolising the rivers of Paradise mentioned in the Qur’an: water, honey, milk and wine. The mosque was nominated for the RIBA International Prize 2016 and won the Best Religious Building prize at the World Architecture Festival in 2015.
Through their diverse designs, mosques around the world reflect the rich cultural heritage of their regions while serving as vital community hubs. To learn more about other Islamic architectures around the world, visit the IMA.
With the current crisis happening around the world, schools have [...]
Friday 28 October, 2022
This week has been a fruitful one at the Islamic [...]
Thursday 03 November, 2022
IMA seeks to facilitate experiential and reflective learning for students, [...]
Thursday 03 November, 2022
IMA is proud of our rich legacy of hosting a [...]
Friday 28 October, 2022Registrations are now open for the Islamic Museum of Australia’s [...]
Monday 30 March, 2020
Try out Nassim's Bamieh recipe, Persian cooking instructor at Free [...]
Monday 08 April, 2024
IMA in conjunction with National Zakat Foundation is proud to [...]
Thursday 22 June, 2017
Beat the boredom these school holidays and check out our [...]
Sunday 24 December, 2023
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and [...]
Friday 21 April, 2017
Celebrate 2024 with free entry to the Museum on Saturdays [...]
Sunday 24 December, 2023The Islamic Museum of Australia will join other Islamic educational [...]
Saturday 16 March, 2019Guided tours, cultural awareness training sessions and free venue hire [...]
Thursday 21 March, 2019A mesmerising, interactive light installation inspired by the medieval Islamic [...]
Thursday 24 March, 2022
An intricate painting resembling interconnected threads, symbolising the fragility of [...]
Tuesday 15 August, 2023
MA Education team member Amna was invited to Macloed college [...]
Thursday 03 November, 2022
These are all natural feelings many of us are experiencing [...]
Tuesday 30 November, 2021Renowned WA artist named recipient of Australian Muslim Artists Art [...]
Friday 14 August, 2020
Discover the cultural significance and symbolism behind Palestinian embroidery, tatreez
Tuesday 10 September, 2024Images revealing the former water bottling facility on the site [...]
Thursday 28 February, 2019An Archibald Prize (2011) finalist, Abdul Abdullah is the recipient [...]
Thursday 12 September, 2019
The IMA’s Women Only Morning Tea was held on Wednesday [...]
Thursday 03 November, 2022
Experience Muneebah Walker's artistic odyssey, resonating with self-discovery and imagination [...]
Monday 04 March, 2024
The Islamic Museum of Australia in conjunction with inTouch Multicultural [...]
Thursday 25 May, 2017A new scholarship opportunity for Australian Muslim students offered through [...]
Tuesday 17 May, 2022Intricate, beautiful works by Perth based papercutting artist Tusif Ahmad [...]
Friday 16 November, 2018A Sydney doctor who turned the driveway of his home [...]
Thursday 25 August, 2022
This scarf styling workshop is for the everyday Modern Muslimah [...]
Tuesday 11 July, 2017The Patron’s Fund has been established to support the academic [...]
Wednesday 04 November, 2020
Explore the rich legacy of Palestinian cuisine, a vibrant symbol [...]
Monday 16 September, 2024
Campaign to celebrate the diversity of Muslims in Australia | [...]
Monday 01 May, 2017Views of the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem in 700 [...]
Wednesday 05 December, 2018
Primary and secondary school students across Australia are set to [...]
Tuesday 02 August, 2022A LEGO workshop, story time with local authors, terracotta pot [...]
Thursday 20 September, 2018
“This is an overseas thing. It won’t get like that [...]
Friday 28 October, 2022Performances by Ilyas Mao, Canadian Acappella singer, composer and songwriter [...]
Friday 14 September, 2018The Islamic Museum of Australia has unveiled major changes to [...]
Wednesday 19 June, 2019Starting today, artefacts from the Islamic Museum of Australia’s collection [...]
Tuesday 17 November, 2020Rosalind Noor’s water colour painting, The Sovereign has been awarded [...]
Friday 01 November, 2024One of the country’s most highly regarded Muslim artists is [...]
Thursday 19 August, 2021
Passion Cafe Youth Own the Stage Monique Toohey | Saturday, [...]
Friday 02 June, 2017
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and [...]
Thursday 20 April, 2017The Islamic Museum of Australia will be presenting the untold [...]
Wednesday 14 April, 2021
A collection of computer-based paintings which blur the boundaries between [...]
Friday 16 December, 2022A collection of Bronze Age ceramic jars, traditional glassware, vintage [...]
Friday 01 November, 2024An object cast from hot glass, traditional Turkish water marbling, [...]
Wednesday 15 August, 2018
Celebrate a decade of cultural connection with the Islamic Museum [...]
Thursday 14 November, 2024
Islamic Museum of Australia’s new visiting exhibition explores the urban [...]
Thursday 03 November, 2022
Two-time world champion boxer, Billy Dib, visited the IMA for [...]
Sunday 24 December, 2023
Rising above the pandemic of COVID-19.
Tuesday 24 March, 2020
