The Iconic Representation of Historic Mosques: A Case Study

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Great mosques have always contributed towards the establishment of Islamic city through the past centuries. It is important to examine the meaning of historic great mosques in the development of Islamic urban centers. Islamic teachings concerning nationhood, exemplify this perspective and the idea of mosque has received functional acclaim as not only religious platform, but also as a means of developing community. However, attention to issues of form, function and aesthetics deserve attention and address crucial questions about the Muslim public engagement with mosques. This paper suggests that the existence of the historic state mosque as an ‘iconic monumental structure’ is regarded as symbolic by supporting the continuity of Islamic nationhood in the community. Empirically, this paper investigates the a urban city dweller's preference towards the continuation of the mosque as nationhood integration. The iconic representation of historic mosque has contributed towards Islamic heritage tourism in what has been termed ‘urban place identity’.

Stream: Arts Theory and Criticism

Paper: Iconic Representation of Historic Mosques, The

Dr. Ahmad Shukri Yusof holds a permanent position as a Lecturer in Architecture at the International Islamic University, Malaysia. He holds a Diploma in Architecture, Advance Diploma in Architectural Studies in Urban Design and a Ph.D. in Architecture (Aberdeen, U.K.). He has pursued research interest related to Urban Design, Architectural Heritage and the Conservation of the Historic Buildings. His research career has focused on heritage studies and its relationships with form and identity; and its functions in particular architectural aesthetics contexts. He taught architectural design studios and heritage studies courses. He has carried out a series of heritage studies programmes on the documentation projects of measured drawings for local and international historical heritage sites, funded by International Islamic University Malaysia. He has recently presented a paper at the 14th Annual AHRA International Conference 2007, Kingston University London.