icma user – 421 - International Conference on Mosque Architecture

Welcome to your account

Researcher Details

Scientific Papers Abstract Submission

Theme

1st Track

Role/Contribution

PhD Candidate researching this topic individually, under supervision of my advisor and co-advisor.

Research paper Title

PLACES OF WORSHIP IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: POLICIES AND PRACTICES AFFECTING THE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF MOSQUES

Personal Biography

Nour Abdel Hamid is a dedicated professional with a robust background in architecture and urbanism. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Sustainable Construction at the American University of Sharjah, where she also earned her Bachelor of Architecture. Nour furthered her studies with a Master of Architecture in Housing and Urbanism from the prestigious Architectural Association. Her career spans diverse roles in architecture consultancies, government entities, and academia, which have enriched her understanding of sustainable design and urban development. Currently, Nour works as a development manager at Emaar Development, a leading real estate company in the UAE, where she applies her expertise to drive innovative and impactful projects in the region.

Paper Abstract

As the world's population continues to expand and the pattern of urbanization increases rapidly, it is inevitable that the speed, quality, and consequences of this growth require sustainable management. However, it is noticeable that the pattern of rapid urbanization seems to focus on secular and tangible aspects of cities, such as political, economic, residential, and educational attributes, while marginalizing others such as those associated with spirituality and religion. Religion is represented through places of worship, which are significant architectural attributes impacting social connections, religious practices, and community development. While places of worship may be deemed essential by worshippers, policymakers, planners and architects, these spaces are often neglected, unoptimized and used for brief periods of time in many cities across the world. Consequently, places of worship have become symbolic and iconic ‘artifacts’ rather than essential sociocultural and spiritual places that are closely integrated with their urban context and collective life and memory of the community. This pattern of using places of worship as ‘symbols’ is evident in the form and function of mosques in urbanized contexts of Arab Gulf countries and particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The key problem is that mosques in the UAE are not optimized to their ideal urban, sociocultural, and spiritual role due to certain practices and policies. Therefore, this study aims to understand design practices and management policies affecting the role, value, and feasibility of a mosque in its context, and comparing them with the community’s needs and expectations. mosques in the UAE are used as a case study to explore urban and architectural design practices along with operational and management policies. An in-depth literature review will outline the main categories, followed by an online questionnaire and focus group interviews. The collected data will be analyzed using statistical analysis to derive the main criteria and weights to develop a decision support tool. The anticipated outcome of this research is a framework that can be used by stakeholders and decision-makers to design and manage mosques in congruence with the community’s needs, expectations, and values. Ultimately, the study aims to bridge the gap between an ‘ideal’ role of a mosque from social, religious, and urban perspectives and the ‘reality’ shaped by stakeholders and decision-makers.

Paper Abstract file

Photo Submission

Works Documentation

Full Paper Title

THE ROLE OF MOSQUES IN URBAN CONTEXTS: DESIGN PRACTICES AND POLICY FRAMEWORKS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Full paper

https://icmamosques.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250630_ICMA-Paper-Final-Submission.docx,https://icmamosques.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250630_ICMA-Paper-Final-Submission.pdf

Reference

Abu-Lughod, J. (1987) 'The Islamic city: Historic myth, Islamic essence, and contemporary relevance', International Journal of Middle East Studies, 19(2), pp. 155-176. Ahmed, A. Q. and Fethi, I. (2024) 'The Effects of Modern Architecture on the Evolution of Mosques in Sulaymaniyah', Buildings. Al-Haroun, Y. A. (2023) 'Modular mobile Mosque (3M) prototype as socio-cultural incubator', Journal of Engineering Research (Kuwait), pp. 1-16. Al-Khalifa, H. E. and nd Smart Cities Symposium, S. C. S. (2019) 'The smart mosque of the Arabian Gulf: Solutions from the past for a sustainable, energy-efficient Mosque', IET Conference Publications, 2019(CP758). Allahham, A. 'Grand mosques in Islamic history: are they the model?', Mosque architecture: present issues and future ideas, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Alnaim, M. M. and Noaime, E. (2023) 'Mosque as a multi-functional public space destination: potential breathing space in dense urban fabrics of Hail City, Saudi Arabia', Open House International, 48(3), pp. 450-471. Antariksa, A., Salura, P. and Wirakusumah, I. A. (2021) 'Needs and wants in mosque architecture', Linguistics and Culture Review. ArchDaily (2016) 'Al Warqa’a Mosque / waiwai', ArchDaily, (0719-8884). ArchDaily (2021) 'Mosque of Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash / Dabbagh Architects', ArchDaily, (0719-8884). ArchDaily (2022) 'Mosque of Reflection / waiwai', ArchDaily, (0719-8884). ArchDaily (2024) 'Sharjah Mosque / MJU Engineering Consultancy', ArchDaily, (0719-8884). Aryanti, T., Megayanti, T., Susanti, I. and Fitria, D. (2024) 'GENDER AND SOCIO-SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE AT MASJID AL-IRSYAD KOTA BARU PARAHYANGAN, INDONESIA', Journal of Islamic Architecture, 8(2), pp. 371-379. Asfour, O. (2016) 'Bridging The Gap Between The Past And The Present: A Reconsideration Of Mosque Architectural Elements', Journal of Islamic Architecture, 4, pp. 77-85. Asif, N., Utaberta, N., Ismail, S., Yan, X. and Zhou, Y. 'Mosque Institution and Building: Evaluating Sustainable Space, Function, Program, and Activities'. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 139-151. Awad, J. (2021) 'The current trends in mosque architecture in the northern cities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)', Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 15(3), pp. 854-871. Aziz, A. A. and Zulkifli, M. H. 'The changing roles of the future mosques in the context of the Muslim community in Malaysia', Mosque architecture: present issues and future ideas, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Aziz, N. S., Ismail, A. S. and Siraj, S. (2022) 'Responsive Design Approach towards the Sustainable Mosque Architecture', IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1022. Bagby, I., Mahmoud, F., Akhtar, N. and Rahman, A. (2016) 'Reimagining Muslim spaces: creating a welcoming, inclusive, dynamic mosque', Institute of Social Policy and Understanding. Baharudin, N. A. and Ismail, A. S. (2014) 'Communal Mosques: Design functionality towards the development of sustainability for community', Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 153, pp. 106-120. Bao, S., Nie, T., Wu, S., Wang, W. and Zhong, Y. (2023) 'The Evolution of the Spatial Distribution Pattern of Mosques in the Kashgar Region from 1955 to 2004', Religions. Benatia, F., Bougrine, S., Chabani, M., Edom, J. and Khedjari, R. H. 'Towards a visible and locally relevant mosque architecture in France', Mosque architecture: present issues and future ideas, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Booth, W. and Mohammed, A. (2024) 'Community cohesion and the role of mosques in Cardiff: the views of imams', Voluntary Sector Review. Development, C. L. (2013) Quadruple Bottom Line for Sustainable Prosperity Available at: https://cambridgeleadershipdevelopment.com/quadruple-bottom-line-for-sustainable-prosperity/. El-Husseiny, M. A. (2022) 'ANALYZING CONTEMPORARY MOSQUE PHILOSOPHY AND DESIGN', New Design Ideas, 2022(Special Issue), pp. 27-42. Fadakari, M. M. and Andaroodi, E. (2024) 'Patterns in the spatial configuration of Sultani Mosques in the Qajar period: a comparative study using space syntax and layout-based analysis', Built Heritage. Gurjia, A. A. and Dhannoon, A. (2021) 'REPETITIVE ELEMENTS AND THEIR OBJECTIVES IN ANCIENT AND CONTEMPORARY MOSQUES', Journal of Islamic Architecture. Holod, R. (1997) The mosque and the modern world: Architects, patrons, and designs since the 1950s. Thames & Hudson. Huang, Y. and Xue, Q. (2024) 'Analysis of the Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Mosque Architecture in the Hehuang Area (China)', Buildings. Ismail, A. M., Khalil, H. B. and Mostafa, A. 'Is Serenity the souls of mosques?', Mosque architecture: present issues and future ideas, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Jahić, E. (2015) 'The contemporary mosque in the modern urban environment', ISSN 2232-965X, pp. 90. Kahera, A. I. (2002) Deconstructing the American mosque: space, gender, and aesthetics. University of Texas Press. Kuppinger, P. (2011) 'Vibrant Mosques: Space, planning and informality in Germany', Built Environment, 37(1), pp. 78-91. Lafi, M. W. and Khalifa, H. E. A. (2025) 'Ornamentation and Islamic Identity in Contemporary European Mosques: An Analysis of Cultural, Aesthetic, and Functional Dimensions and Modern Influences', Buildings. Maatouk, M. and Moscatelli, M. 'Reshaping Architectural Identity in Contemporary Mosques. A Comparative Analysis in Riyadh'. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 118-126. Maslucha, L. (2001) 'SPATIAL AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ASPECTS IN COMMUNITY BASED MOSQUES', Journal of Islamic Architecture, 2. Mattar, Y., AlAli, M., Alzaim, M. A. and Beheiry, S. (2023) 'Analysis of Electricity and Water Consumption in Existing Mosque Buildings in the UAE', Buildings. Mazlan, I. M., Rabu, Z. M., Dodo, Y. and Samsudin, I. (2021) 'A Case Study of Mosque: Architecture and its contextualism towards a multifaith communal area', Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal. Mohammed, A. and Elhefnawy, M. (2024) 'Towards identifying mosque architectural characteristics aligned with expert preferences: application on selected mosques in Assuit City, Egypt', Sohag Engineering Journal. Mushtaha, E. and Helmy, O. (2017) 'Impact of building forms on thermal performance and thermal comfort conditions in religious buildings in hot climates: a case study in Sharjah city', International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 36(10), pp. 926-944. Nazir, A. U. M., Ramli, N. A., Ismail, M. R., Rasli, N. B. I., Shith, S. and Zainordin, N. S. (2019) 'Compliance of water closet facilities in mosques with Malaysian standards, guideline and legislation', International Journal of Integrated Engineering, 11(2), pp. 001-011. Necipoğlu, G. (2005) The age of Sinan: Architectural culture in the Ottoman Empire. Princeton University Press. Onay, B. and Bayazit Solak, E. (2024) 'The green heritage of spiritual beauty: Mosque gardens and user satisfaction', Journal of Agriculture Faculty of Ege University, 61(2), pp. 217-232. Othman, R. and Zainal-Abidin, Z. J. 'The importance of Islamic art in mosque interior'. Procedia Engineering, 105-109. Padela, A. I., Killawi, A., Heisler, M., Demonner, S. and Fetters, M. D. (2011) 'The Role of Imams in American Muslim Health: Perspectives of Muslim Community Leaders in Southeast Michigan', Journal of Religion and Health, 50(2), pp. 359-373. Rabbat, N. (2012) 'The meaning of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus', Muqarnas, 29, pp. 1-25. Raja, I. (2024) 'The British Broadsheet Press and the Representation of “The Mosque” in the Aftermath of Post-7/7 Britain', Religions. Raymond, A. (1985) 'The spatial organization of the city of Cairo from the tenth to the sixteenth centuries', Arabica, 32(3), pp. 225-258. Rizvi, K. (2015a) 'Grand Mosques in the United Arab Emirates Domesticating the Transnational', The Transnational Mosque Architecture and Historical Memory in the Contemporary Middle East: University of North Carolina Press, pp. 151-192. Rizvi, K. (2015b) The transnational mosque : architecture and historical memory in the contemporary Middle East. Islamic civilization and Muslim networks Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. Roded, R. (1994) 'Social patterns in Ottoman Damascus: Women’s daily life, public space and legal customs', Islamic Law and Society, 1(3), pp. 312-332. Saad, S. (2022) 'SPACE, ARCHITECTURE, AND POWER. THE TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP PLACEMAKING IN HISTORIC ARABIC-ISLAMIC CITIES', Journal of Islamic Architecture. Sapri, M., AbMuin, Z., Sipan, I. and Adjei-Twum, A. 'Barriers in managing mosque facilities: Towards sustainable facilities management approach'. Proceedings of the 25th International Business Information Management Association Conference - Innovation Vision 2020: From Regional Development Sustainability to Global Economic Growth, IBIMA 2015, 3477-3484. Sarram, A., Asif, N. and Utaberta, N. (2019) 'Mosque in Compact Cities: Impact of Urbanization on Planning and Design of Contemporary Mosques in Nusantara'. Sarram, A., Utaberta, N. and Asif, N. (2019) 'Architectural Styles of Malaysian Mosque: Suitability In Compact Urban Settings', MATEC Web of Conferences. Suratkon, A., Abd Salam, N. N., Rahmat, M. H., Mohd Arhan, A. S., Abd Wahab, I. and Ghaffar, S. A. 'Woman Friendly Mosque, Features and Facilities: A Case Study on Masjid Sultan Ibrahim, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia'. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. Tahar, F., Mehan, A. and Nawratek, K. (2023) 'Spatial Reflections on Muslims’ Segregation in Britain', Religions. Taufan, A., Zaki, S., Tuck, N., Singh, M. and Rijal, H. (2023) 'Energy-efficient retrofitting strategies in mosque buildings: A review', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Toprakli, A. Y., Kabak, M., Özceylan, E. and Adem, A. (2019) 'Prioritization of Mosque Facility Site Selection Criteria Under Fuzzy Environment', 13th International Conference on Theory and Application of Fuzzy Systems and Soft Computing — ICAFS-2018: Springer International Publishing : Cham, pp. 451-457. Uzun, C. (2022) 'A Statistical Assessment of Sinan’s Central Domed Mosques', Nexus Network Journal, 25, pp. 253-268. Wahid, J. and Awad, J. (2020) 'Unity in diversity: a comparative study of new mosques in Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE)', IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 452. Wirakusumah, A. (2021) 'Needs and Wants in Mosque Architecture: A Study of Traditional and Modern Mosques in West Java-Indonesia'.

Welcome to your account

Researcher Details

Scientific Papers Abstract Submission

Theme

Role/Contribution

Research paper Title

Personal Biography

Paper Abstract

Paper Abstract file

Photo Submission

Works Documentation

Full Paper Title

Full paper

Reference

Conference Participation

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | ABDULLATIF ALFOZAN AWARD FOR MOSQUE ARCHITECTURE© 2025

SUBMIT A PAPER

inspiration for mosque ARCHITECTURE

inspiration for mosque AROUND the world.

The 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

ABDULLATIF ALFOZAN AWARD FOR MOSQUE ARCHITECTURE© 2025

NAVIGATION

Phone

Mail

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

NAVIGATION

Phone

Mail

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

You’re leaving us?

inspiration
for mosque ARCHITECTURE