www.ccsenet.org/ass Asian Social Science Vol. 8, No.

3; March 2012

Communicational Role of Mosques Architecture

Mandana Saniei (Corresponding author)

PhD Student, Social Communication Sciences, Department of Mass Communication
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch
Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
E-mail: [email protected]

Ali Delavar
Professor, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

Received: September 23, 2011 Accepted: September 30, 2011 Published: March 1, 2012
doi:10.5539/ass.v8n3p137 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v8n3p137

Abstract
Artist architects have long considered prayers highly and everything associated with the prayer has meant sacred
for them. Among these objects, people and places associated with the prayer, means even more to them. Especially,
the mosque is not only a place for worship, but also a place for wondering in the creation philosophy and place of
sanctum of man with God. This article is trying to study the communicational role of architecture of mosques.
Keywords: Mosque, Architecture, Communication, Man's communication with God
1. Introduction
Of all Muslim institutions, the mosque is the most important place for the public expression of Islamic religiosity
and communal identity. A mosque is a physical manifestation of the public presence of Muslims and serves as a
point of convergence for Islamic social and intellectual activity. The Arabic word for mosque is masjid, which
means a "place of prostration" before God. Mosques are mentioned in the Qur'an, and the earliest model for a
mosque was the residence that the prophet Muhammad built when he moved to Medina. This first mosque was an
enclosure marked as a special place of worship. A small part of the mosque was sectioned off to house the Prophet
and his family, and the remaining space was left open as a place for Muslims to pray.
Although later mosques developed into complex architectural structures built in diverse styles, the one
requirement of all mosques continues to be based on the earliest model: a designation of space for the purpose of
prayer. The early mosque served an equally important function that thousands of mosques continue to serve today:
The mosque is a place where Muslims foster a collective identity through prayer and attend to their common
concerns. A Muslim city typically has numerous mosques but only a few congregational or Friday mosques where
the obligatory Friday noon prayers are performed.
As Islam spread outside Arabia, Islamic architecture was influenced by the various architectural styles of the
conquered lands, and both simple and monumental mosques of striking beauty were built in cities of the Islamic
world. Despite the borrowings from diverse civilizations, certain common features became characteristic of most
mosques and thus serve to distinguish them from the sacred spaces of other religions and cultures (Note 1).
Islamic architecture has innovated special ornamentations, colors and engineering units which can be adopted
anywhere. The triangle, square and circle for instance are facts because they comply with mental concepts. A new
concept of unity has merged in Islamic architecture. It calls for unity as a base for life cycle.
This was reflected on intellectual aspects, art and architecture. Unity in Islamic architecture is not only determined
by the engineering frequency pivot, but also by the vacuum at a particular point such as the Kaaba or the fountain
in the mosque nave. Here, the dynamic power unifies parts and maintains their sovereignty to incorporate with the
whole.
The principle of unity in Islamic architecture is applicable on horizontal projections as well as on radial star-shaped
decorations and walls which surround the high gateway whose doors can be rectangular, pointed or circular. The

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charm of walls in Islamic architecture will be attained if aesthetic standards and sensible perceptions are met.
Certain ornamental elements such as oriels, Muqarnasat (i.e. hive-shaped designs), sculptures and Arabic
calligraphy which are inscribed on stones have contributed to the rise of a new architectural pattern (Jenkins,
2002).
The Prophet of Islam has built the first mosque on his way from Mecca to Medina (Forghani, 2003). Mosques are
not only historically a center of worship of God, but have always had multiple uses. Education and dissemination
of Islamic law, religious education and scientific literacy, conducting legal affairs, resolving disputes, conducting
enforcement of the offenders, delivering fiery sermons, especially in crisis and war time for gathering Muslims and
sending them to jihad against the enemies of Islam and taking the necessary measurements for better life of people,
improving social conditions and handling the affairs of poor people have been of the functions of the mosque from
its emergence up to nowadays.
In this respect, the design of a building surely considers the people who will use it. It may involve the number of
people, their relationship, and how the people will use. As we see a building, we will get clues about the users or
the people in the building. Reading a text can reveal the writer, to whom it is addressed, and the subject of person
or parties it talks about, and the relationship among them. This gives an assumption that text and the architecture
have participants to consider (Note 2).
So in this paper it is tried to deal with the communicational role of mosque architecture: the architecture of
mosques and the human relationship with God, mosque as the connection between man's world and God and the
features of the communicational role of mosque.
2. Architecture Forms and Styles of mosques and buildings in Muslim countries
Many forms of Islamic architecture have evolved in different regions of the Islamic world. Notable Islamic
architectural types include the early Abbasid buildings, T-Type mosques, and the central-dome mosques of
Anatolia. The oil-wealth of the 20th century drove a great deal of mosque construction using designs from leading
modern architects.
Arab-plan or hypostyle mosques are the earliest type of mosques, pioneered under the Umayyad Dynasty. These
mosques are square or rectangular in plan with an enclosed courtyard and a covered prayer hall. Historically,
because of the warm Mediterranean and Middle Eastern climates, the courtyard served to accommodate the large
number of worshippers during Friday prayers. Most early hypostyle mosques have flat roofs on top of prayer halls,
necessitating the use of numerous columns and supports (Hillenbrand, R). One of the most notable hypostyle
mosques is the Mezquita in Córdoba, Spain, as the building is supported by over 850 columns (Religious
Architecture and Islamic Cultures, 2006). Frequently, hypostyle mosques have outer arcades so that visitors can
enjoy some shade. Arab-plan mosques were constructed mostly under the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties;
subsequently, however, the simplicity of the Arab plan limited the opportunities for further development, and as a
result, these mosques gradually fell out of popularity (Hillenbrand, R).
The Ottomans introduced central dome mosques in the 15th century and have a large dome centered over the
prayer hall. In addition to having one large dome at the center, there are often smaller domes that exist off-center
over the prayer hall or throughout the rest of the mosque, where prayer is not performed (Vocabulary of Islamic
Architecture, 2005). This style was heavily influenced by the Byzantine religious architecture with its use of large
central domes (Hillenbrand, R).
3. Physical Elements of the Mosque Architecture
The most important characteristic of a mosque is that it should be oriented toward Mecca. One or more niches
(mihrab) on one of the walls of the mosque often serve as indicators of this direction, called qibla. When the imam
leads the prayers he usually faces one of these niches. Next to the mihrab, a pulpit (minbar) is often provided for
the delivery of sermons (khutba). Many mosques also have separate areas for performing ritual ablution, and
separate sections for women. In many mosques, several rows of columns are used to mark the way for worshipers
to line up behind the imam during prayer.
Mosques usually have one or more minarets, or towers, from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer five times
a day. In addition to their functional use, these minarets have become distinguishing elements of mosque
architecture. In large mosques in particular, minarets have the effect of tempering the enormity and magnificence
of the domed structure by conveying to the viewer the elevation of divinity above the pretensions of human
grandeur.
Most mosques also have a dome, and the line connecting the center of the dome to the niche is supposed to point
toward Mecca. Throughout the world there are many mosques that are not actually directed toward Mecca, but

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such misalignment is due to inaccurate methods for determining the direction of Mecca and does not imply a
disregard for this requirement. The mosque is not a self-contained unit, nor is it a symbolic microcosm of the
universe, as are some places of worship in other religions. Rather, the mosque is always built as a connection with
Mecca, the ultimate home of Muslim worship that metaphorically forms the center of all mosques.
The participants in the discourse and the physical form are human and God. The operation of the relation there
covers the horizontal relation among the individuals, and the transcendental relation between the individual of
human as creature in one side and God as the creator, in another. These operations are explored through analysis on
the semiotics of architectural elements: form, partition, size, and the arrangement of interior and exterior properties.
Thus, mosque with its distinctive design is actually a piece of discourse which tells a story among of which there is
a fact about the participants and their relation mechanism, just like a written commonly does (Note 3).
Islamic architecture heavily depends on engineering and aesthetic principles. We should make it clear that Islamic
architecture had originated and then its features were inferred accordingly. However, the religious aspect is the
most distinctive feature to which Islamic architecture is indebted. It is represented in the Islamic aesthetic
mentality.
Mosque has been the first house to be built on the basis of piety. Muslims congregate there under one dome
yielding to and fearing of Allah. Consequently, architects have set a number of criteria that mosques should meet
since the early age of Islam. These criteria include:
- communication among prayers
- having no columns in the mosque nave
- having no direct entrance into the nave
- having several openings for illumination.
Roman Architecture for instance influenced Islamic architecture particularly in the field of stone columns. This is
a normal matter as it shows how dynamic and vital the architecture is. In fact, Islam urges its followers to
communicate with other nations because static cultures will definitely die.
As a direct result for Islamic conquers in the Abbasid and Umayyad ages, there was a dire need for building forts
and castles in cities. After that, Islamic architecture began influencing other civilizations. For example, Arabesque
which was initiated by Muslim architects became very popular in Europe and Asia as it was the case in Spain,
Sammerqand and Bukhara where it interacted with the indigenous arts. In China, mosques were built in harmony
with local house roofs, entrances and construction materials. Later, fundamental features of mosque were
introduced to other civilizations:
1). Much attention was paid to the minaret whose height reaches tens of meters and designs vary from circular to
polygonal shapes. Some mosques have several minarets that can be used as beacons at night. It is worth
mentioning that the designs and shapes of minarets reflect both the historical and spatial eras. Today, there are
various designs of minarets in Central Asia, North Africa and Spain.
2). Dome: the first dome in Islam was built for the Holy Mosque of Jerusalem in 691 AD. Historically, the dome
was first developed in Damascus in 706 AD.
3). Arch: its decorations and designs varied in the light of construction materials that were available in conquered
states.
4). Columns: they are considered the most valuable architectural remains in mosques and buildings. At the early
stages of mosque architecture, columns had been built by using the trunks of palm trees. Then, the industry of
construction materials flourished, when stone and mud were used to build columns. As a matter of fact, the Greek
and Roman architectures inspired Muslim architects to use stones as construction materials for building columns.
5). Muqarnasat: It stands for the hive-shaped decoration which dates back to the 11th century. Nowadays, its
designs vary in accordance with the desired purpose and shape (Itewi, 2007).
4. Communication Features of the Mosque
Direct real, and deep contact with the audience, conveying knowledge and providing conditions for human
excellence, its usability for the general public and effectiveness of mosques both on literate and on illiterate
audiences, its being a sacred place, the accuracy and reliability of messaging to its audiences and its independence
to power centers are of the mosque's communication features to name a few (Forghani, 2003).
The world’s big cities generally host Islamic centers that enjoy broad cultural radiation. However, certain centers
ensure only the mosque function. In addition, considering the diversity of the activities of the Islamic cultural

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centers and their religious, social and cultural roles, they are regarded as one of the main components of the Islamic
cultural reality outside the Islamic world, thanks especially to the fact that they are generally managed and
supervised by elite of highly qualified Muslim intellectuals. The cultural radiation of Islamic cultural centers is
reflected among Muslim communities and minorities, on the one hand, and among interested non-Muslim citizens
living in the neighboring areas, on the other, which is likely to redress the image of Islam by highlighting the true
values and principles of this religion (ISESCO, 2009).
The mosque as an Islamic cultural center is a multi-faceted cultural institution which comprises communicational
activities among Muslims. Therefore, the structure of the mosque has been emphasized in this strategy to put
forward suggestions, procedures and initiatives to improve the quality of Islamic communication tools outside the
Islamic world and their role in enlightening public opinion and guiding it to deal with the concerns of Muslims and
Islam outside the Islamic world. Therefore, it is necessary to set up plans and programs to serve the universal
message of Islam, to revive its eternal heritage and transmit it to the generations to come. This entails a good use of
the human, financial and technical resources such as the building of mosques with highly elaborated structure and
architecture.
The Islamic cultural centers outside the Islamic world strive to accomplish certain goals relating to Islamic
Education and establishing links among Muslims so as to immunize their cultural identity and consolidate their
sense of belonging and to motivate them to proceed according to what pleases God and benefits Muslims in their
host communities. However, the geographical distance between the Islamic centers across the world has been a
preventive factor against any coordination between the plans of cultural action adopted in those centers. This has
led to discrepancies in the work methodologies of those centers and especially mosques, which precluded an
accord on specifying priorities in the cultural field. The absence of a unified concept about the Islamic cultural
problematic in host countries was one of the motivations behind laying down a strategy for Islamic cultural action
outside the Islamic world. This Strategy would facilitate preparing a plan to unify the work methodologies among
Islamic centers and Muslim leaders outside the Islamic world. It would also help centers develop their mission in
the fields of education, information and communication, in conformity with modern discourse and the
requirements of consolidating the sense of belonging among young Muslims in particular.
5. The Relationship between the Mosque and the World
It is one of the main components of the religious, social and cultural reality which contributes to cultural education,
religious guidance and the establishment of solid relations of brotherhood between the different members of
Muslim communities and minorities.
The mosque plays an important role in maintaining relations of coexistence in non-Muslim societies. It is a place of
religious and cultural teaching and guidance which spans such various fields as interpersonal relations, ethics,
principles of good neighborhood, respect of the other, religious tolerance and abstinence from wrongdoing. The
authorities in non-Muslim countries are fully aware of the role played by the mosque in regulating the conduct of
mosque goers, and strengthening attachment to virtue, values and good morals which contribute to reduce crime
rates and delinquency.
In non-Muslim countries, the mosque is not only a place of worship but an academic center where conferences are
given by resident or visiting intellectuals. Certain known mosques are managed by graduate people who see to
promoting the educational and scientific role of the mosque, in such a way as to enrich and activate the Islamic
cultural action outside the Islamic world.
However, the truth about building such a structure is taking the audience to some spiritual space with the language
of arts which itself makes the audience to think and reach a deep knowledge (Seyedeinnia, 1998).
6. Conclusion
This paper reviewed the importance of architecture of the mosque emphasizing its communicational role. Studies
have shown that the architecture of the mosque plays an important role in messaging cultural and religious
knowledge to its audiences. Therefore, reconsidering the architecture of the mosques and supplying them with
qualified managing staff to reinforce the communicational role of mosques and build integrity among Muslims as
well as outside the Islamic world is of highest importance for enhancing the communication role of mosques and
Islamic centers in the world for both disseminating the true image of Islam and its principles of tolerance and
establishing friendly relations with foreign institutions and religious organizations having a moderate vision on
Islam.
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Notes
Note 1. http://www.islamset.com/encyclo/mosque.html
Note 2. http://jurnal.ump.ac.id/index.php/leksika/article/download/33/31
Note 3. http://www.islamset.com/encyclo/mosque.html

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