Symbolic Islamic Architecture of the Medieval Period in Africa

It functions as a house of prayer of followers of Islam and a very important symbol for Muslims Figure SEQ Figure \ ARABIC 4 . Interior Barrel of Vault of the Great Mosque

The two selected structures are considered as symbols of Islamic architecture because they are composed of parts and features that primarily belong to the Islam tradition . The Citadel of Cairo is a fortress intended to encircle the city . It encloses in a mosque similar to the Great Mosque , which are made of towers and domes . According to Robert Hillenbrand

, the mosque is the Islamic building par excellence and the key to Islamic architecture . The medieval Muslim has a theocentic world thus the mosque is the fundamental expression of their society

The Great Mosque and the mosque inside the Citadel of Cairo have the following components delineating an Islamic architecture . They have domes , the largest incessant covered space of the building , minarets mihrab , maqsura or royal box and minbar or pulpit . Inside these mosques are stalactite patterned decoration and carved lattice patterns . The mosque with a courtyard has its surrounding arcades and a mihrab or prayer niche , which is always oriented to Mecca , the holy land of the Muslims . It is in that area that the liturgical elements of the mosque are focused and concentrated (Hillenbrand 34

The Citadel of Cairo mainly functions as a fortress and a royal residence . It is different from the main function of the Great Mosque which is primarily entailed as house of the Prophet ' therefore it is a house of prayer - a religious edifice . The Citadel has been built in to protect military installations and regime leaders . It also serves as a sanctuary of the citizens , the followers of Salah al-Din

From there , it can be hauled that during the medieval period in...