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Researcher Details
Scientific Papers Abstract Submission

Theme

1st Track

Role/Contribution

Research paper Title

Paradisiacal Patterns in Mosque Landscapes: Bridging Historical Symbolism and Contemporary Sustainability

Personal Biography

Dr. Tareq Ibrahim Alrawaf is a leading academic and practitioner in the field of environmental planning, currently serving as the Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Saudi Arabia. He holds a PhD in Environmental Impact Assessment and Outdoor Recreation from the prestigious Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA), University of Edinburgh, UK (2015). Dr. Alrawaf’s academic career is marked by a deep commitment to integrating sustainable environmental strategies into urban and regional planning. His research and leadership focus on advancing methodologies for environmental impact analysis, enhancing public engagement in planning processes, and fostering recreational landscapes that promote ecological resilience and community well-being. As Dean, he has led strategic initiatives to advance planning education, foster international collaboration, and align academic programs with national sustainability goals. He also contributes actively to the discourse on environmental planning and urban resilience, with a focus on developing planning tools that support ecological integrity and livable communities in the Gulf region.

Paper Abstract

Paradisiacal Patterns in Mosque Landscapes: Bridging Historical Symbolism and Contemporary Sustainability Islamic teachings promise believers paradise (Al-Firdaws) as the ultimate reward for righteousness and piety, a concept deeply embedded in mosque architecture and spatial planning. Historically, the mosque has served not only as a dedicated physical environment for worship (prayer) but also as an architectural and symbolic representation of the believer's intimate connection with the divine. This symbolism manifests vividly through adjoining gardens, which metaphorically evoke the paradisiacal gardens vividly depicted in Islamic religious texts as rewards awaiting the devout in the hereafter. This research critically explores the evolution of garden landscapes affiliated with mosques, highlighting significant paradigmatic transformations from historical symbolism to contemporary sustainability. Through a rigorous analytical and comparative methodology, the study scrutinizes two distinguished case studies: The Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain, celebrated for its classic depiction of paradise imagery, and the Cambridge Central Mosque in the UK, acclaimed for pioneering the integration of ecological sustainability within traditional symbolic frameworks. The comparative analysis reveals the manner in which historical mosque gardens, typified by the Córdoba Mosque, express paradisiacal ideals predominantly through aesthetic compositions and symbolic narratives. These historical landscapes focus heavily on geometric symmetry, water features, lush vegetation, and contemplative spaces, reflecting an idealized vision of eternal paradise. Conversely, contemporary interpretations, as exemplified by the Cambridge Central Mosque, incorporate sustainable practices including ecological responsibility, climate-responsive design, biodiversity enhancement, adaptive landscaping, and resource-efficient water management, while retaining essential symbolic meanings. The findings underscore the vital importance of maintaining foundational symbolic values and traditional design principles inherent in mosque gardens. Concurrently, the study advocates for embracing flexible and innovative approaches that address present-day environmental concerns and societal needs. By harmonizing historical symbolism with contemporary sustainability imperatives, mosque landscapes can continue to serve as potent spaces for spiritual reflection, ecological consciousness, and cultural continuity, thereby ensuring their enduring significance across diverse temporal, geographical, and cultural contexts.

Paper Abstract file

https://icmamosques.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tarq-alrawaf-Abstract.docx
Photo Submission
Works Documentation

Full Paper Title

Paradisiacal Patterns in Mosque Landscapes: Bridging Historical Symbolism and Contemporary Sustainability

Full paper

https://icmamosques.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Paradisaeal-Patterns-in-Mosque-Landscape.pdf

Reference

https://www.iau.edu.sa/en
Conference Participation

Conference Name

Saudi Arabia 2016

Year

Role/Contribution

Dean Faculty of Architecture and Planning

Head Office

The Office Al Fozan Headquarters, Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Street, Corniche Road, P.O.Box 38, Al Khobar 31952, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Head Office

The Office Al Fozan Headquarters, Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Street, Corniche Road, P.O.Box 38, Al Khobar 31952, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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لوريم إيبسوم دولور سيت أميت، كونسيكتيتور أديبيسينغ إليت. سد كونسيكوات فيليت أت أنتي بيبندوم، إن ديكتوم إليت ديغنيسيم. إنتيجر أك ليغولا إو كوام كومودو إليمنتوم. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. فيسللوس أوت جوستو فيل سابين إيفيسيتور كورسوس. بروين نك ليو فيل دولور جرافيدا كونسيكتيتور. أوت إيد تورتور نيك توربيس لاسينيا فيوغيات. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. بيلينتيسكو
لوريم إيبسوم دولور سيت أميت، كونسيكتيتور أديبيسينغ إليت. سد كونسيكوات فيليت أت أنتي بيبندوم، إن ديكتوم إليت ديغنيسيم. إنتيجر أك ليغولا إو كوام كومودو إليمنتوم. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. فيسللوس أوت جوستو فيل سابين إيفيسيتور كورسوس. بروين نك ليو فيل دولور جرافيدا كونسيكتيتور. أوت إيد تورتور نيك توربيس لاسينيا فيوغيات. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. بيلينتيسكو