Abu Dhabi, Oct.19th,2007 (WAM) -- A prominent Muslim architect called for setting up a centre for Islamic architecture to promote and upholdIslamic cultural and aesthetic principles and identity of construction.

''The proposed centre should strive to build a future community that firmly adheres to Islamic values and harbours viable, forward looking for development,'' said Saudi architect Dr. Sami Angawi, former director of the Haj Research Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Angawi unveiled his proposal during a lecture on Islamic Architecture hosted last night at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation by Anasy Art and mediaproduction company.

He said that the Islamic architecture had been very sensitive tothe respect of the site and its harmony as well as other environmentaland religious considerations. The lecturer presented samples of such buildings he designed and built in his native country Saudi Arabia and Boston in the US.

Turning to the Islam-West relationships, he believed that the greatest challenge is who could understand who, noting that the Islamic though is flexible enough in term of Sharia and jurisprudence and very resolve in term of the five basic pillars of Islam.

In his view, equilibrium is best exit philosophy from the intellectual mess the Islamic World experiencing within and with the others.

''What is demanded is not a defence of prophet Mohammed(PBUH) only but of all prophets ....this can help Muslims win hearts and minds of others, he indicated.

He said that he was deeply impressed with the progress the UAE had achieved in all walks of life and mainly in the cultural aspect.

The newly established Anasy organised an exhibition for Islamic Chinese calligraphy, an event he described as a testimony that Islamic civilisation is most effective channel of communicating and interacting with others.

The Islamic art exhibition displayed works by well-known Chinese painter Haji Noor Deen Guang.