The splendour of the Islamic Architecture and Landscape

The architecture and landscape style of the Islamic world was not developed out of nowhere. It actually found it roots in pre-Islamic traditions like the paradise garden, features in Mesopotamia cities, and also the climatic conditions which are largely desert landscape. The Islamic landscape is rich in its architecture, the bold approach in beautifying the landscape, use of palms and oasis that had become important elements. Domes are also a key feature in its architecture style. Mosques and madrassahs are as important as what churches and monasteries are important to the Christians. The idea of Islamic landscape was also made known to the western world during the various crusades in the middle ages where crusaders from Europe brought home with them knowledge of Islamic architecture and other technologies.

Through the spread of Islam over the world, the architecture style may vary as most of the native traditions were incorporated with Islamic design. For example, in parts of Islamic Africa, a different approach was used through the use of mud brick walls and and alternation to the dome was made. In Spain where Islamic Moorish architecture was merged with the native style to create a single unique style of its own. Also in Malaysia, we can see the dome of mosques are sometimes replaced with a the tradition Malay umbrella-shaped roofs. But the overall essence of the Islamic style still maintains up till today.