Prophet Muhammad said: “God is beautiful and loves beauty.”
The artistic quest for sacred beauty has been captured throughout time and place, from the intricate textiles of Iran, to the soaring arches of the Alhambra palace in Spain.
As Islam spread across the globe, a hybrid of culture and faith emerged, producing artistic expressions that reflected each region. The Ottoman mosques of Istanbul, chiefly designed by Sinan the Architect in the sixteenth century, are distinct landmarks in Muslim architecture. They inspired the likes of Sir Christopher Wren, one of Britain’s most famous architects, who integrated the Ottoman style into his design of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.