What is 'art' in the sense of the Islamic tradition? Mohammed Hamdouni Alami argues that Islamic art has historically been excluded from Western notions of art; that the Western aesthetic tradition's preoccupation with the human body has meant that Islamic and Western art being perceived as inherently at odds. However, the move away from this 'anthropomorphic aesthetic' in Western art movements, such as modern abstract and constructivist painting, have presented the opportunity for new ways of viewing and evaluating Islamic art and architecture. Drawing upon classical Arabic literature,...

One of the most important and authoritative books to celebrate mosque architecture and Islamic design, featuring many exquisite newly commissioned photographs.

This visually striking volume illustrates over sixty of the most venerated mosques from historic monuments such as the Great Mosque of Cordoba and Istanbul's Suleymaniye Mosque to today's most dynamic new designs exemplified by the Sancaklar Mosque. Essays by prominent architecture and design authorities include Professor Sussan Babaie, Andrew W. Mellon Reader in the Arts of Iran and Islam, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London;...