Power and Protection – Islamic Art and the Supernatural
“The fear of death shall avail nothing, nor [shall avail] attachment of amulets and blue necklaces,” wrote al-Isfahani in the tenth century. While the idea that aspects [...]
Places
The charm of Arabic Typography
As this recent exhibition in the library of languages and civilisations (BULAC) in Paris ‘graphically’ illustrates, Arabic text not only lends itself to the refinement of [...]
The Sancaklar Mosque, Turkey: History, Modernity and Spirituality
Shortlisted for the Design of the Year award, the Sancaklar mosque near Istanbul marks not just a new mosque but a new concept of a mosque. Designed by Emre Arolat Architects [...]
Mountaintop Mosque
An unusual mosque built on top of a 1,130-meter mountain in a Black Sea province in Turkey. The lush mountain in the Rize province’s Güneysu district is known as [...]
Robert Edward Hart’s intriguing collection of Islamic manuscripts
Islamic civilisation has produced artefacts in a multiplicity of forms. These have attracted European collectors across the ages, shines a light on a small but fascinating [...]
