Introduction

Since we are talking about Islamic architecture, the first question we must ask ourselves is whether there is such a thing as Islamic architecture. Do we mean the architecture produced by or for Muslims to serve Islam as a  religion? Or do we mean all the architecture produced in Muslim lands? And if so, what does Islamic mean in context? If Islamic is not an adjective defining a religious quality, should it be understood as a word that identifies a special kind of architecture, that reflects special qualities in the Islamic civilization? Does such an architecture exist? Is there an architecture that can be recognized as different from other architectures created outside Islam? Islamic architecture is more than just domes, minarets and perfumed pleasure palaces, it is a true expression of a rich culture that unified countries as far as Spain and central Asia, over thousand years and more.

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