Often pointed out that Western African mosque architecture does not reflect indigenous African architecture. The following is not exactly true,for the original Arabs had no set architectural form. Most early Arab mosques from Makkah to Medina reflect actually a Persian design,but not an indigenous Arabic one. The Northern Arabs such as the Qarayish[phophet Mohammed's tribes]never had a great architectural history.

Even such Islamic monuments as the Dome of the Rock actually borrow heavily from Byzantine Greek architecture. Even the mosque of Damascus is not completely original.

However, the Sudanic architecture has no parallel anywhere in the Islamic world. Most Mosques were built off local basis,and not from incorporation of elements from Arabs.

According to the following no such thing as Islamic architecture:

Understanbly,the first Arab conquerors had no architectectual skill or taste. As in other fields,they made use of ideas and technical skills of the people they conqured--Byzhatines in the Eastern empire,Copts[a general term for all Egytians since up to the 16th century most were either Christain or aminists],and Visigoths in Spain.Just as they employed the stone-masons,plastersand decorators so they unshamefully used thgeir buildings as stopne quaries for mosques and palaces erected.

Page 56

Peter Mansfield

The Arab World: A Comprehensive History
by Peter Mansfield

[This message has been edited by Super car (edited 18 June 2005).]