Abstract:
The mosque is a building typology that is central to the socio-political representation of Muslim World, carrying forth traditions and their interpretations. Socio-political dynamics influence mosque architecture over history and highlighting their essential role in society and cities, ranging from mosques that acted as ‘centers of civilizational imagination’ of the Muslim world to basic prayer spaces, community spaces and monumental mosques and complexes. Varying from singular structures for worship to complexes, the architecture and craft of mosque making and ornamentation has received much attention given its significance as a nerve center for the Muslim ummah. Contrastingly, the past fifty years have seen a trend of construction of mosques built in cities with clear sectoral division and management. Their current pattern of operation, management and ownership creates a disconnect between the global worldview of Muslim ummah and spiritual teachings of the religion. The following paper debates on why some mosques were more influential over others, referring to their socio-political dynamics of management and influence and the reasons for a larger sphere of influence in cities and in the Muslim World. Selecting four mosques built at crucial time periods in history, the paper charts an evolution of the relationship between the socio-political situation, socio-cultural use and organization of the mosque and complex attached. Using literature and some contemporary case analysis of mosques in Pakistan and Karachi city, the paper aims to bring out the reasons for the change in context relationship of mosque architecture and the need to broaden view, create inclusivity and tolerance in attitudes for addressing the contemporary issues. The paper thus aims to highlight that the mosque in general no longer plays a crucial role in establishing global Muslim unity, inclusivity, addressing immediate and long-term community needs. The hypothesis is developed largely through a literature review.
Keywords: Mosque, Subsidiary Functions, Inclusive, Architecture, Community
