Recently I took the opportunity to visit the construction site of the new Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies next to Magdalen College. The dome of the Mosque was still under construction but it allowed us to see the traditional brick construction (using over 1 million bricks !) I think there are tours available this weekend as part of Oxford Open Doors weekend. Other than that it's going to be about another two years before the place is finished.

From its website the 'The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies provides a meeting point between the Islamic and Western worlds of learning. Through good scholarship it promotes a more informed understanding of Islam - its culture and civilisation.'

'This beautiful building blends the architectural features of the traditional Oxford colleges with the forms and styles of the classical period of Islam. The result is a unique symbol of the harmony between two ancient traditions of scholarship brought together for the pursuit of knowledge. It will provide a focal point for international collaboration, and will accommodate those academic, social, and residential facilities essential for the collegiate life of a community of scholars.'

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Interior of Koski Mehmed-Pasa Mosque featuring colourful stained glass.

From Wikipedia : "Mostar is a city and the administrative center of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also university, cultural, economic and political center of Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Population is 105,797

Mostar is situated on the Neretva River and is the fifth-largest city in the country. Mostar was named after the bridge keepers (mostari) who in the medieval times guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva. The Old Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most visited landmarks, and is considered an exemplary piece of Islamic architecture in the Balkans."

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One of the oldest structures in Marrakech, this 11th Century domed structure was the ablutions building for an adjacent Mosque built by the Almoravids, the founders of Marrakech. Apparently the underside of the dome features a beautiful eight pointed star design which unfortunately we didn't get to see as the building was closed for restoration.

More Islamic Architecture here : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/sets/72157632017380431

From Wikipedia : "The Almoravid Koubba (or Koubba Ba'adiyin/Barudiyin) is a small Almoravid building in Marrakech, Morocco, dating to the 11th century.

The Almoravid Koubba is next to the Museum of Marrakech and about 40 meters south of the mosque of Ben Youssef. It is the only remaining example of Almoravid architecture in Marrakech. It was built in 1117, was restructured in the sixteenth and nineteenth century, was rediscovered in 1948 and excavated in 1952, after having been buried beneath one of the outbuildings of the Ben Youssef Mosque. The dome was once used for ablutions before prayer (relying on the revolutionary hydraulics of khettaras, drainage systems), and also had a system of toilets, showers, and faucets for drinking water. It belonged to an Almoravid mosque, now long gone. The dome is on top of a rectangular bassin. The interior is richly decorated with floral patterns (pine cones, palms and acanthus leaves) and calligraphy. The epigraphic decoration, which covers the frames and borders, is noteworthy for the fact that the foundation inscription is the oldest inscription in cursive Maghrebi script in North Africa. Materials used are marble and cedar wood."

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A high contrast, slightly blue tinted, version of my previous upload of the central courtyard of the Ben Youssef Islamic School. I think one of the things that makes this shot quite striking, other than the wonderful architecture, is the up-lighting caused by light reflecting up off the floor.

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Wideangle interior shot of Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul

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