Buildings in Islamic architecture are distinguished by dazzling features in general, especially religious buildings such as mosques, schools, and shrines. The literature could not find a clear identification of reaching the dazzling concept. Moreover, researchers in the Islamic architecture discipline did not focus on determining sufficient knowledge of the design methods of applying the dazzling approach in Islamic architecture, and they did not clarify a specific detailed vocabulary of Islamic dazzling concepts. However, the problem of the study was identified by observing the literature and buildings. Therefore, the formulated question encompasses “the unclear knowledge of applying designing procedure of dazzling characteristics in Islamic Architecture buildings.” The study raised an important question: “What is the design methodology of dazzling features in religious buildings within Islamic Architecture.” The study aims to identify the practical design elements, principles, and rules of the dazzling characteristics in religious buildings in Islamic architecture to draw out a guideline that designers can apply in contemporary Islamic Architecture. The theoretical framework of the dazzling concept was constructed to achieve this aim, with variables and sub-variables highlighted to identify the design methodology that can actualize dazzling concept in Islamic architecture by reviewing previous studies. The abstracted variables used in designing the checklist were applied to analyze the cases formally. Selecting cases from religious buildings from Islamic style depends on specific criteria. However, the results analyzed statically showed that dazzling concept in Islamic architecture applied in five major levels (structure, form, architectural elements, interior space, and ornamentation) with seven main principles (richness, exaggeration, uniqueness, complexity, proportion, and ambiguity). Richness is the most affected factor in applying clear dazzling concept, while exaggeration and uniqueness are second-rated factors that can impact the value. Dazzling concept is an essential characteristic that designers should apply in contemporary Islamic architecture.

Mosques are the most important buildings in Islamic architectures. They represent the place of worship for Muslims. Like other architectural buildings, they consist of components and repeated elements forming their general structures. However, some of these formal elements have changed due to the mosque development and the contemporary trends. Therefore, this research was conducted to discover the repetitive use of the elements and the differences between ancient and contemporary mosques by studying ten samples of mosques. It showed the difference between these two periods in terms of element repetition and utilization. Moreover, it tried to find the related objectives of repetitive use within these two periods. It concluded that some elements from the ancient period were used repetitively in the contemporary mosques. Based on the analysis findings, the design objective is achieved by the repetitive use in both periods. Furthermore, the repetitive use of the elements as structural objective takes second place in ancient mosques. Meanwhile, the environmental objective is second to achieve in contemporary mosques.

Colors are considered to be one of the complementary design elements in the process of architectural design of any building. Itcontributes in the presentation of the final and overall picture of the work which the designer intends to convey to the recipient.Islamic architecture was characterized by the distinguished use of colors which took part in achieving access to architectural models that have a high expressive abilityin delivering different interpretations to the recipients. In order to make use of the architectural and aesthetic heritage of colors in Islamic architecture, the details of using colors in Islamic architecture must be clear to be a guide for contemporary architects in the operations of utilizing colors in architecture. After considering a number of previous studies, the research problem can be stated as follows: (the lack of sufficient detailed theoretical knowledge about colors and their achieved meanings in Islamic architecture). Therefore the goal of research is to (identify the colors used in Islamic architecture and their meanings, along with knowing the correlation between the use of specific colors in specific locations within the Islamic building, and the meanings achieved in each use). In order to achieve the goal of research, the researcher employs an approach which includes: (1Building a theoretical framework which includes identifying the most frequently used colors in Islamic architecture, determine their meanings in the Quran and Islamic tradition, and finding out the color assortments used in Islamic architecture. (2Carrying out an analytical study to complete the information on the utilization of colors in Islamic architecture which includes the use of a set of images of Islamic architecture models to represent the samples of the target study. (3Analyzing the results of the analytical study. The research comes out with some conclusions, like the use of colors in two techniques:1) Representation of the natural environment,2) Counteraction with the environment. Key words: colors, meaning & semantics, Islamic Architecture

In the architecture of the mosque, the design of the Mihrab has received great attention from the Islamic builders. The Mihrab is the qibla of the mosque and its most important component. Previous studies highlighted the design characteristics of the Mihrab in ancient mosques. Moreover, the literature shows that there were specific forms and elements in the forming process that served as a formal reference for the design of the Mihrab in ancient mosques. With the contemporary development of mosque architecture and the diversity of design trends in modern mosques, the shapes of Mihrabs have varied in terms of form and elements to reflect these trends. The research problem is represented by “The lack of design trends of the Mihrab as an element in the contemporary mosques”. The study aims to identify the design trends of this important element in contemporary Mosque architecture in a scientific manner, measured through a quantitative and qualitative approach that was adopted to determine the design trends of each Mihrab concerning the historical formal reference. The methodology was applied in a practical study on a group of contemporary mosque Mihrabs to explore the design trends of each Mihrab separately. The results showed that contemporary mihrabs still rely heavily on heritage elements, adopting the forms of heritage plans while incorporating new building materials, such as iron structures, Bordeaux panels, and glass, as well as decorative calligraphic elements with low to medium density.

The traditional alabaster columns with manufacturing techniques used by Mosul's architects represent one of the aspects of distinction within the heritage Mosul architecture, which gave this architecture aspects of its peculiarity and distinctive identity. After reviewing previous studies in this field, the research problem was represented by (Lack of knowledge related to the manufacturing technology and characteristics of alabaster columns in Mosul's traditional houses and lack of knowledge of their repeated models and details of their employment) The aim of the research was (revealing the techniques of manufacturing these elements as well as clarifying and analyzing its repeated models and clarify the details of the employment of each model) and thus providing a detailed documentary information base that can be adopted in the operations of restoration, reconstruction, and future designs. The final conclusions that showed the similarity and repetition of the models for this element in terms of dimensions and number of pieces, and that this element was governed by specific models. Each type has fixed measurements and specific installation and formation methods with some exceptions, which reinforced the assumption made by the research that this element is a prefabricated element.

Buildings in Islamic architecture are characterized in general, in employing written inscriptions in many aspects of the building; as the external elements (facades, entrances, minarets, domes ...) as well as the internal elements of the building (mihrabs, minbars, columns, walls and ceilings of the Interior…). Employing written inscriptions has many characteristics which can be classified into two groups: the first are related to the architectural aspects, as position within the building, method of execution, building materials, the second group are related to aspects of Fine Art for the calligraphy as type of font, size and proportion ...Both characteristics contributed to enhancing the various functions provided by this writings as defining the building, and its creator, or its symbolic significance of meaning according to building type or inscriptions' position or theme. The research aims to detect and identify design characteristics of employing inscriptions within the architecture of the Congregational mosques and Multifunctional complexes (Which include the addition of a school or Mausoleum, or both at the mosque) which are related architectural aspects, and to show dissimilarity of those characteristics depending on the local styles within Islamic architecture, in order to come up with recommendations to help implementing this knowledge in future designs of contemporary Islamic architecture. Keywords: Islamic architecture, written inscriptions, Arabic calligraphy.