Architecture that looks to the sky; A mosque in Qatar between tradition and modernity

The Education City Mosque in the Monartine Building is part of the Islamic Studies College of Hamad bin Khalifa in Qatar‘s al -Rayyan city. The architecture of this mosque is a reflection of the relationship between faith and knowledge. (Visit Qatar)

Photographer: Unknown / Qatar Foundation

The building of the mosque of education is designed by Iraqi architect and calligraphy, “Taha Epia”. The minarets of the mosque are decorated with optical vertical lines that take the viewer to the sky and invite reflection on meaning and faith. The mosque structure is based on five columns, each symbolizing one of the five pillars of Islam.

Photographer: Unknown / Qatar Foundation

In addition to its religious role in the al -Rayrian area, the mosque of education is a symbol of Islam and modernity and welcomes visitors with any background. The mosque has the capacity to host 1.5 prayers in the main bed and 1.5 others in the outer courtyard. In its outdoor space, four water flows are directed to a garden in the center of the building that symbolize the four rivers of Paradise of the Qur’an: water, honey, milk and wine.

In the mosque area, there is also a Qur’anic botanical garden, which, along with native species of Qatar, includes plants mentioned in the Holy Quran. The garden is inspired by Islamic art and architecture and aims to maintain plant harmony and diversity from all over the world.

Photographer: Unknown / Visitqatar

The functioning of the mosque of the city is beyond worship, and since its inauguration, it has hosted a variety of cultural and educational events to the public. The Manartine building is also located for the Islamic Studies College of Hamad bin Khalifa, which provides a platform for intellectual dialogue about Islam on the global context with its combined scientific programs and deep educational experience.

Photographer: Alexey Sergeev / Wikimedia

The spiral design of the building and the numerous routes that connect the college to the mosque indicate that the source of all knowledge is in faith. Formerly known as the Islamic School of Qatar, it received the American Architecture Award in the field of educational, cultural and institutional buildings. He was also nominated for the International British Institute of Royal Architects (RIBA) in 2008, and earlier won the Best Religious Award at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore in year 6.

Photographer: Unknown / Architectural-Review

Today’s city mosque is not only a place for prayer, but also a sign of the link between Islamic faith, knowledge and aesthetics in contemporary Qatar architecture. You also say about your view of this mosque with Kajaro.

Cover Photo Source: Visit Qatar | Photographer: Unknown