icma user – 390 - International Conference on Mosque Architecture

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This research makes a significant contribution by integrating the intellectual history and thought of Iranian architecture into the study of mosque design and evolution. It provides a detailed historical analysis of how mosque architecture in Iran has evolved, influenced by and influencing various political, religious, and cultural contexts across different periods. By focusing on the intellectual and ideological underpinnings of architectural practices, the study reveals how these structures are not just functional spaces but also embodiments of broader historical and philosophical currents. Utilizing a historical-interpretive methodology and comparative analysis, the research uncovers the dynamic relationship between mosque design and its socio-cultural milieu. This approach enriches existing scholarship by offering a deeper understanding of how intellectual and cultural shifts have shaped mosque architecture, highlighting its role as a cultural artifact reflecting the evolving thought and values of Iranian society. The inclusion of a diverse range of mosque examples provides a comprehensive view of architectural developments, contributing valuable insights to both the study of Islamic architecture and the broader thought of Islam.

Research paper Title

The position of the Mosque in the Historical Thought of Iranian architecture (from the post Islamic period till to the late of Qajar era)

Personal Biography

Dr. Lida Balilan-Asl is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art & Architecture at Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch. She earned her Ph.D. in Architecture from Islamic Azad University, Science & Research Branch, Tehran, in 2008, with a focus on architecture. Dr. Balilan-Asl’s research interests center on the history and theory of Iranian architecture, particularly the Tabriz school from the 12th to the 16th centuries, covering the Ilkhanid era to the Late Turkmen era. Her work addresses significant aspects of Iranian architectural history and theory, offering clarity on various ambiguities through detailed analysis. She has published extensively in Iranian scientific journals, contributing valuable insights into the architecture of Iran. Her research utilizes historical documents and visual sources, such as miniature illustrations from the Moghannati tradition, to explore architectural developments in Tabriz. One of her notable papers has been published in the Journal of the Faculty of Architecture (METU), reflecting her significant contributions to the field. Dr. Balilan-Asl’s work has greatly enhanced the understanding of Iranian architectural heritage, particularly that of Tabriz.

Paper Abstract

The architecture of mosques has played a crucial role in the culture and civilization of Islamic countries throughout history. This is because, among Muslims, the mosque has not only been considered a place for daily worship but also a center for various cultural and social activities. This multifunctional nature has significantly influenced the architectural and functional evolution of mosques from the early post-Islamic period onwards. Iran, with its vast and diverse culture and geography throughout Islamic history, has provided a highly suitable environment for the development and transformation of mosques. Mosques evolved as freestanding buildings along main streets in the heart of cities or as part of larger complexes with political, religious, or spiritual functions. Depending on the ruling period and the specific cultural characteristics of the geographical region, mosques have reflected the ideas of their builders, including rulers, ministers, scholars, intellectuals, religious leaders, and mystics. The aim of the present research is to examine the role of the mosque within the broader historical and intellectual context of Iranian geography, considering the influence of climate and culture, as well as the ideas of its patrons and founders. The research employs a historical-interpretive method, using descriptive-analytical approaches for data analysis and a comparative-analytical approach for evaluating findings. The results indicate that the evolution of mosques in Iran’s cultural centers has been shaped by dominant political, religious, and spiritual ideologies during three significant periods: (1) from the advent of Islam to the Seljuk era, (2) from the Ilkhanid period to the late Turkmen era, and (3) from the Safavid period to the middle of the Qajar era. This progression led to the formation and evolution of notable mosques of these periods, such as the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, the Blue Mosque of Tabriz, and the Shah Mosque of Isfahan. It should be noted that this paper will examine and evaluate additional examples of mosques.

Paper Abstract file

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1st Track

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This research contributes significantly to the understanding of in-between spaces in the context of Iranian architecture and urban planning, highlighting their role as mediators between physical and spiritual realms. By examining the spatial organization of historical Iranian cities, specifically Tabriz, the study reveals how mosques, influenced by mystical thought, functioned not only as religious spaces but also as in-between spaces that bridged political, social, and spiritual dimensions.The research provides a deeper insight into how mystical thought shaped urban development during the Ilkhanid to Late Turkmen periods, emphasizing the mosque's dual role in both physical and metaphysical urban landscapes. It demonstrates that mosques in Tabriz served as transformative in-between spaces that were integral to the spatial and cultural fabric of the city, reflecting the ideological and spiritual inclinations of the ruling elite.By analyzing the physical-formal, semantic-functional, and relational-geometric characteristics of these mosques, the study advances the discourse on the role of architecture in expressing and shaping mystical and political ideologies. This research offers a new perspective on the integration of religious and mystical thought in the spatial organization of cities, thus enriching the broader understanding of Islamic architectural and urban studies.

Research paper Title

The Role of Mosques as In-Between Spaces in the Spatial Organization of Historical Iranian Cities: A Case Study of Tabriz (from the Ilkhanid Era to the Late Turkmen Period)

Personal Biography

Paper Abstract

The concept of in-between spaces in Iranian architectural and urban complexes is deeply influenced by mystical thought and Islamic teachings, significantly impacting spatial organization. The idea of in-betweenness originates from the belief in a hierarchical structure of the universe and the existence of intermediaries between different levels of existence. In Islamic thought and mysticism, the existence of hierarchies among multiple worlds is a fundamental principle, and connections between these worlds occur through intermediaries. These intermediaries not only facilitate connections but also serve transformative roles through interpretation, alteration, and adaptation. This concept is evident in Iranian architectural and urban complexes, manifesting as intermediary elements on various scales. The city of Tabriz, in the 13th century, following the long reign of the Seljuks in Iran and the strict religious policies of its rulers, experienced a new form of political governance influenced by mystical thought during the Ilkhanid era. This shift allowed mystical ideas to shape the construction of architectural and urban complexes in the city. The mosque, as a place embodying Sharia for Muslim worship, and mysticism, as a reflection of the spiritual path, both serve as means of attaining truth. Given this context, the main research question is: What is the relationship between the mosque, as a manifestation of Sharia for worship, and mysticism, as an expression of the spiritual path, within the political and intellectual context of an Islamic city? Therefore, this study aims to identify the role of mosques in Tabriz from the Ilkhanid period to the Late Turkmen era, considering the mystical ideas of its rulers and politicians, in the spatial organization of the city. The research employs a historical-interpretive method, using descriptive-analytical approaches for data analysis and a comparative-analytical approach for evaluating findings. The results indicate that mosques constructed in cities governed by mystical thought possess: (1) physical-formal characteristics, (2) semantic-functional characteristics, and (3) relational-geometric characteristics. These mosques function as built environments with the attributes of in-between spaces, serving various functions while playing a significant role in the spatial organization of the city. Keywords: In-Between Space, Mystical Thought, Mosque, Spatial Organization, Tabriz, Ilkhanid Era.

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The Position of the Mosque in the Intellectual History of Iranian Architecture ) From the Post-Islamic Period to the Late Qajar Era(

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Reference

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Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020743805310075 8. Bevir, M. (1999) The Logic of the History of Ideas. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511490446 9. Blair, S. and Bloom, J. (1995) The Art and Architecture of Islam 1250–1800. New Haven: Yale University Press. 10. Bloom, J., 2007. Arts of the City Victorious: Islamic Art and Architecture in Fatimid North Africa and Egypt. New Haven: Yale University Press. 11. Burke, P. (2015) What is the History of Knowledge? Cambridge: Polity Press. 12. Golombek, L. and Wilber, D. N. (1988) The Timurid Architecture of Iran and Turan. New York: Mazda Publishers. 13. Gottschalk, H. (1998) Philosophy in the Islamic World: A History of Philosophy without any Gaps, Volume 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 14. Grabar, O. (1987) The Mediation of Ornament. Princeton: Princeton University Press .https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691252773 15. Grabar, O. (1990) The Mediation of Ornament. Princeton: Princeton University Press. DOI: 10.1515/9780691252773 16. Hillenbrand, R. (1994) Islamic Architecture: Form, Function, and Meaning. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 17. Hodgson, M.G.S. (1974) The Social Origins of Islamic Architecture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.7208/9780226346861.001.0001 18. Hodgson, M.G.S. (1974) The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization, Vol. 1. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. DOI: 10.7208/ /9780226346861.001.0001 19. Hourani, A. (1991) Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age 1798–1939. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press . https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511801990 20. Haugson, J. (1974) The Social Origins of Islamic Architecture. Cambridge University Press. 21. Jafari, S. (2016) Barrasi-ye kalbadi va ma‘nayi-ye masajed-e tarikhi-ye Iran [A morphological and semantic study of historic Iranian mosques]. Master’s thesis, University of Tehran. 22. Kuban, D. (2018) Muslim Religious Architecture: Development of Religious Architecture in Later Periods. Leiden: Brill. 23. Locke, J. (1980) An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Edited by P. Nidditch. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 24. Mandlebaum, M. (1965) History of Ideas: An Introduction to Ideological and Intellectual History. New York: Wiley. 25. Memarian, G. (2005) Architecture of Shiraz. Tehran: Iran University Press. 26. McClure, J., 2020. Connected global intellectual history and the decolonisation of the curriculum. History Compass, 18(9), e12634. https://doi.org/10.1111/hic3.12645 27. Nasr, S.H. (1993) Islamic Art and Spirituality. Albany, NY: SUNY Press 28. Nasr, S.H. (2006) ‘Islamic philosophy and spirituality’, The Journal of Islamic Studies, 17(1), pp. 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1093/jis/etj002 29. Necipoğlu, G. (1995) The Topkapı Scroll: Geometry and Ornament in Islamic Architecture. Santa Monica: Getty Publications. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020743800065661 30. Necipoğlu, G. (2005) The Topkapı Scroll: Geometry and Ornament in Islamic Architecture. Santa Monica: Getty Publications. DOI: 10.1017/S0020743800065661 31. O’Kane, B. (1995) Domes. London: Phaidon Press. 32. Ousterhout, R. (2011) Eastern Medieval Architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190272739.001.0001 33. Pope, A. U. (1965) Persian Architecture: The Triumph of Form and Color. New York: George Braziller. 34. Pourjavady, A. (2001) Falsafeh va ‘erfan dar me‘mari-ye eslami-ye Iran [Philosophy and mysticism in Iranian Islamic architecture]. Tehran: Nashr-e Ney. 35. Ricoeur, P. (1976) Interpretation Theory: Discourse and the Surplus of Meaning. Fort Worth, TX: Texas Christian University Press. 36. Sajjadzadeh, M., Rezaei, F. and Karimi, B. (2017) ‘Me‘mari be-masabeh matn: Khaneshi az masajed-e Iran dar bastar-e gofteman-haye fekri’ [Architecture as text: A reading of Iranian mosques in the context of intellectual discourses], Faslnameh-ye Motale‘at-e Me‘mari-ye Eslami (Islamic Architecture Studies Quarterly), 23(4), pp. 57–76. 37. Seyyed Sadegh Haghighat, "History of Ideas, Intellectual History and Political Studies", Research in Theoretical Politics 8, no.14 (2015): 143. magiran.com/p1413467. magiran.com/p1413467 38. Skinner, Q. (1988) The Foundations of Modern Political Thought, Volume 1: The Renaissance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 39. Skinner, Q. (2005) Visions of Politics, Volume 1: Regarding Method. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511817878 40. Wilber, D. N. (2011) ‘The Safavid Architecture and Urbanism’, in Michell, G. (ed.) Architecture of the Islamic World. London: Thames & Hudson, pp. 200-21.

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