Islam is a global religion that is impacted by the culture and traditions of the countries where Muslims live, and Islam enriches the cultures and traditions of the communities where Muslims live as well.

Islamic architecture is unique with added beauty and richness.  In this section, the Islamic Center offers you a glimpse of the architectural beauty of three communities where Islam is deeply rooted.

Virtual Tours of Islamic Sites:

This tour is courtesy of Saudi Aramco World with the goal to increase cross-cultural understanding. It is an attempt to broaden knowledge of the cultures, history and geography of the Arab and Muslim worlds and their connections with the West.

A Virtual Tour of The Haram Al-Sharif / The Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem

The precinct of Jerusalem’s Old City known to Muslims as Al-Haram Al-Sharif (“The Noble Sanctuary”) is Islam’s third holiest site, after Makkah and Madinah. Its centerpieces are the Dome of the Rock, Islam’s earliest architectural masterpiece, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.  This virtual tour allows you into the Haram through steerable photographs, guided by one of its most renowned historians.

A Virtual Walking Tour: The Süleymaniye Mosque

The Süleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleyman (Süleyman the Magnificent) “was fortunate to be able to draw on the talents of the architectural genius of Sinan Pasha”.  The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1558.  This “vast religious complex called the Süleymaniye…blended Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements. It combines tall, slender minarets with large domed buildings supported by half domes in the style of the Byzantine churches.

A Virtual Tour of Al-Hambra / Spain

 Completed towards the end of Muslim rule in Spain, the Alhambra is a place where artists and intellectuals had taken refuge as Christian Spain won victories over Al Andalus. The Alhambra mixes natural elements with man-made ones, and is a testament to the skill of Muslim craftsmen of that time.