Domes

• Soon after the time of Prophet Muhammad, Islamic architecture took on various Byzantine traits. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem which closes resembles the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, shows strong Byzantine influence. For example, both domes feature tiles laid against a gold background, vaulted interior spaces, decorative arabesque patterns and a circular dome. Other examples of this characteristic of Islamic architecture were in the desert palaces built in Jordan and Syria.
  
  

Minarets

• The minaret, or tower, is an Islamic architectural feature that comprises a tall spire with a conical crown. These towers are free standing or can be attached to a support structure, in which case they can be very tall. The basic minaret structure includes a base, shaft and gallery. The minaret serves the purpose of providing a visual focal point from which the call to prayer is made. The Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisa is one of the oldest standing examples of the minaret. It is an imposing structure that was completed in the 8th century and has gone on to serve as the prototype for the minarets construct in the western Islamic world. Minaret architectural styles vary according to the time period and the region they are constructed in. For example, under Turkish influence (11th century), the minarets were slim and circular and a mosque could have as many as six. Under Syrian influence (13th century), the minarets were square in shape, low to the ground, and were positioned at the four corners of a mosque.
  
  

Arab-Plan or Hypostyle

• The hypostyle used in Islamic Architecture was one of the earliest styles pioneered under the Umayyad Dynasty. The mosques were characterized by square or rectangular plans that included a covered prayer hall and enclosed courtyard. The flat roofs of the prayer halls featured in this style required the construction of many columns and supports. The hypostyle Islamic architectural style can be seen in the example of the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain. The building has over 850 columns made of granite, jasper, onyx and marble. The stones were taken from the Roman temple that originally occupied the site. The building's double arches were a new introduction to the architectural style and needed to support the great weight of the high ceilings. The design style also frequently included outer arcades to provide shade.
  
  

Sehan (Courtyard)

• The Sehan is a typical Islamic architectural characteristic featured in almost every mosque. It is also seen in traditionally constructed buildings and residences in the Arab world. The sehan is a courtyard surrounded by rooms on all sides and occasionally by an arcade. Some of the more fancy structures may include a centrally positioned howz, or pool. The sehan in a home may serve as a kind of indoor garden where the women of the house can move freely without having to dress in traditional Islamic outfits normally worn outside the house. When the courtyard is attached to a mosque it is used for the performing of ablutions prior to entering the mosque.