| Abstract
|
:
|
This paper studies four prototypical models of early Islamic cities, namely Al-Basrah, Al-Kufah, Baghdad, and Damascus, and the different elements of which they were composed, with emphasis on Al-Jami (Friday mosque). It analyzes the importance of Al-Jami in the formation of these cities, the role it played physically, socially, and culturally, and its relation to the other elements of the urban fabric such as Al-Souq (market), Al-Madrasah (school), and Al-Khitat (residential neighborhoods). As early Islamic cities grew, it was harder to associate to a single Jami at the city center. As a result, Al-Jawami (plural of Al-Jami) spread throughout the city and incorporated other structures such as schools, baths, shops, caravanserais, and even hospitals and public kitchens, in order to satisfy the growing social and cultural needs of the inhabitants. The study examines the role of Al-Jami in the Ottoman regions in what is known as the Ottoman Kulliye (complex of buildings) because the process of incorporating a wide range of services with Al-Jami flourished in these regions especially in the 9thH/15th and 10thH/16th centuries. The study concludes that Al-Jami was able to unify early Islamic cities physically, socially, and culturally and that today's planning of Islamic cities lacks the utilization of this characteristic. Moreover, the study also concludes that Al-Jami could play a significant role in today's Islamic cities if, with the continuation of Islamic awareness which calls for stronger ties to Al-Jami, the services that are scattered around the city could be incorporated with Al-Jami as nuclei for these cities. If that takes place, Islamic cities will have continuity and be more interactive physically and socially.
|