Dubai, Apr.11th,2006 (WAM) -- Dubai Islamic architecture is influenced by Arab culture but has never been overshadowed by it, an expert on Islamic architecture has said.
Rashad Mohammed Bukhash, Director of General Maintenance Department, Dubai Municipality and Chairman of the Architectural Heritage Society explained that as Islam expanded globally, the influence of other regions also had a bearing on Islamic architecture.
Bukhash, who is a leading authority in the field of building conservation in the Gulf region, said this while delivering a lecture on ''Wonders of Islamic Architecture'' at Jumeirah Islamic Centre.
During his lecture, he discussed some of the best examples of Islamic architecture across the globe. ''Despite cultural and regional influences, the basic qualities of Islamic architecture have remained intact. Simplicity, concept of privacy, carvings and calligraphy are some of these qualities, Bukhash said.
He said that mosques occupy the most important position in Islamic architecture as they not only depict a religious identity but also serve as a community hub where people meet each other five times a day. According to Bukhash, the beauty of Islamic architecture lies in the details. He drew attention to the decorative element of Islamic architecture. ?Concept of centrality is very obvious in the decoration, along with glass carvings and calligraphy, he said as quoted by ''The Emirates Evening Post'', the daily afternoon paper. Bukhash believes that in the Western part of the Islamic world, decorative elements in designs are in squares that reflect the centrality. However, if you move towards the East, squares replace floral motives, which reflect Sufi influence, he added. Bukhash said that Mughal architecture is a blend of Islamic and Indian architecture. He considers Lahores Badshahi Mosque a classic example of Islamic architecture. He lauded the structure of Agra city while referring to building designs. Bukhash does not find the use of valuables, particularly gold, in Islamic architecture as contradictory to teachings of simplicity. It is one of the ways to express how important the architecture is. Moreover, Islam never stops anyone from spending if he/she can afford to. It does not discourage use of wealth, if one has it, he said. Bukhash rejected criticism that absence of windows in residential buildings is aimed at restricting womens freedom. The absence of windows in ancient Saudi houses serves to protect the inmates from the terrible sandstorms that ravage the desert. There is no other reason besides this,? he explained. Bukhash said that the policy of the Historical Building Sector is to preserve, conserve and rehabilitate the historical buildings of Dubai mainly located in Shindra, Bastakia and Al-Ras areas. The idea is to rehabilitate them for edutainment purposes such as museums and libraries. A law has been introduced to ensure all buildings in Dubai adhere to Emirati architectural designs, he said.
