Modern mosques not inspirational: expert
Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - ©2005 IranMania.com
LONDON, July 25 (IranMania) - An expert of the Yazd Cultural Heritage
and Tourism Department believes that the tendency toward modern
architecture diminishes the spiritual feeling of mosques, MNA reported.
“The traditional architecture of mosques inspires tranquility, providing
visitors spiritual and mental balance,” Mohammadreza Kargar told the
Mehr News Agency on Monday.
“We have drifted far away from our authentic traditional architecture
while we have also been unable to advance to modern architecture. We
stand in between. Thus, we neither understand modern architecture nor
preserve our traditional style,” he added.
Although the Iranian city of Isfahan is famous for the brilliant
architecture of its mosques, Yazd also has many monuments, including the
Jame’ (Congregational) Mosque and the Amir Chakhmaq Tekieh, which are
excellent examples of Islamic architecture.
“The mosques built today do not inspire spiritual feelings due to their
lack of beautiful mosaics and colorful tile works bearing Islamic
calligraphy,” Kargar said.
To preserve the traditional styles, modern and traditional architecture
should be combined in the construction of new mosques, he suggested.
cont'd...
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