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Tribune News Network
Doha
The College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) offered its perspective on the architectural legacy of the Mamluk era, at a seminar held at the University of Oxford, the UK, recently.
Dr M Tarek Swelim, associate professor of Islamic art and architecture at CIS, led the seminar and discussed the era of the Circassian Mamluk Sultan Al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh, who ruled over Egypt and Biladal-Sham in the early 15th century.
Dr Swelim discussed the magnificent religious and funerary complex built by Sultan Al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh during his reign.
Situated next to Bab Zuwayla in Cairo, the complex included a mosque, a madrasa and mausoleums. The seminar discussed the renowned complex in the context of the earlier and later Mamluk architecture in historical contexts.
The event was hosted at the Khalili Research Centre at Oxford University. It was organised as part of the collaboration between CIS and Oxford University for the uniquely designed Master of Science programme in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism.
Earlier in the month, Dr Swelim delivered a lecture titled ‘Past and Present: Modern Islamic Architecture in the Gulf’ at Leighton House Museum, London.
The lecture, which was conducted by the Barakat Trust, discussed how the sudden growth spurt in architecture after the discovery of oil in the Arabian Gulf resulted in various architectural trends and styles being introduced into the region.
Dr Swelim said there is not yet a coherent Islamic architectural style in the Arabian Gulf, but rather an experimenting ground for new ideas which can inspire new trends in the region.
He pointed out that, while projects such as mosques may draw upon ideas from the past, this inspiration is not necessarily native to the Gulf, except for the State Mosque of Qatar, but is rather taken from neighbouring countries such as Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran and Turkey.
He also argued that as the Gulf States seek to establish and present a national identity and character through contemporary architecture, such stylistic diversity and Western influences are now being challenged.
Commenting on the seminars, Dr Swelim said, “Both lectures aimed to contribute to a deeper understanding of Islam and Muslim societies in all of their aspects. Such interactive forums aim to provoke and present debate within historical and modern-day frameworks, which in turn supports the scholarly work and academic output of CIS.”
CIS regularly participates in local and international events, public lectures and conferences that highlights and contextualises various aspects of Islam in relation to modern-day needs and debate. The college is home to several distinguished research centres that unite scholars and thought leaders from around the world.
Commencing in the Fall 2019, CIS will offer a Master of Arts in Applied Islamic Ethics degree, the first of its kind worldwide, which will tackle ethical issues across a variety of disciplines and fields. Admissions to the programme is now possible through HBKU’s website.
Doha
The College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) offered its perspective on the architectural legacy of the Mamluk era, at a seminar held at the University of Oxford, the UK, recently.
Dr M Tarek Swelim, associate professor of Islamic art and architecture at CIS, led the seminar and discussed the era of the Circassian Mamluk Sultan Al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh, who ruled over Egypt and Biladal-Sham in the early 15th century.
Dr Swelim discussed the magnificent religious and funerary complex built by Sultan Al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh during his reign.
Situated next to Bab Zuwayla in Cairo, the complex included a mosque, a madrasa and mausoleums. The seminar discussed the renowned complex in the context of the earlier and later Mamluk architecture in historical contexts.
The event was hosted at the Khalili Research Centre at Oxford University. It was organised as part of the collaboration between CIS and Oxford University for the uniquely designed Master of Science programme in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism.
Earlier in the month, Dr Swelim delivered a lecture titled ‘Past and Present: Modern Islamic Architecture in the Gulf’ at Leighton House Museum, London.
The lecture, which was conducted by the Barakat Trust, discussed how the sudden growth spurt in architecture after the discovery of oil in the Arabian Gulf resulted in various architectural trends and styles being introduced into the region.
Dr Swelim said there is not yet a coherent Islamic architectural style in the Arabian Gulf, but rather an experimenting ground for new ideas which can inspire new trends in the region.
He pointed out that, while projects such as mosques may draw upon ideas from the past, this inspiration is not necessarily native to the Gulf, except for the State Mosque of Qatar, but is rather taken from neighbouring countries such as Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran and Turkey.
He also argued that as the Gulf States seek to establish and present a national identity and character through contemporary architecture, such stylistic diversity and Western influences are now being challenged.
Commenting on the seminars, Dr Swelim said, “Both lectures aimed to contribute to a deeper understanding of Islam and Muslim societies in all of their aspects. Such interactive forums aim to provoke and present debate within historical and modern-day frameworks, which in turn supports the scholarly work and academic output of CIS.”
CIS regularly participates in local and international events, public lectures and conferences that highlights and contextualises various aspects of Islam in relation to modern-day needs and debate. The college is home to several distinguished research centres that unite scholars and thought leaders from around the world.
Commencing in the Fall 2019, CIS will offer a Master of Arts in Applied Islamic Ethics degree, the first of its kind worldwide, which will tackle ethical issues across a variety of disciplines and fields. Admissions to the programme is now possible through HBKU’s website.
