刘张弛+Islam

1. Calligraphy: beautiful writing – usually passages from the Qur’an. 2. Arabesques: scrolling patterns of plant and floral motifs. 3. Geometric designs: unity and harmony via mathematics 4. Medallions: in the center of a rug 5. People: there are pictures, but statues and images in mosques – not regular.

6. The diversity of peoples within the Islamic empire. 7. The ways in which Islamic architecture responds to the geography and culture of its region. (The Islamic empire is really a set of fragmented, urban centers for most of its history) 8. The Great Mosque in Damascus 9. House of Wisdom – Islamic Universities as scientific and philosophical centers. 10. Madrassa – (schools of Islamic learning) 11. Role of women (A’isha)