From the Paper
"The Alhambra is the name of a palace located in Granada, Spain. It was built in the late fourteenth century by Islamic Moors who were occupying the country at the time. The Kinkakuji (or "Golden Temple") in Kyoto, Japan, was also built during the late fourteenth century. It was commissioned to be built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a Samurai Shogun leader. Both of these works are notable for their merging of architectural structures with garden landscapes. Both buildings are also notable because their unique characteristics were influenced by the religious philosophies and cultural beliefs of their builders. However, many differences can also be seen in comparing these two works. These differences are largely due to the fact that the Spanish Moors were influenced by the expansive beliefs of Islam whereas the Japanese Shoguns were influenced by the calm, meditative..."

Abstract
This paper discusses how Islamic architecture is comprised of four main types of structures historically that have been dominant throughout its history. It looks at how these four types of structures include the mosque, fort, palace and tomb, all of which have undergone changes in architectural style, but that remained uniquely Islamic because of the symbolic importance that the Islamic people placed on elements of these structures. Noted architecture includes the Ka'ba, Taj Mahal and the Alhambra.

From the Paper
"The Ka'ba is considered to be the first true Islamic structure and it is identified as such in the Qu'ran ("Ka'ba"). The Ka'ba was erected in Mecca after Muhammed successfully gained control of the city. It was built expressly for prayer and is believed to be one place on earth in which every soul that enters it knows safety through God's presence. Muhammed dedicated the structure to Islam; however, it contained evidence of the most critical figures of the history of the time ("Ka'ba"). These figures were Jesus, Mary and Abraham. It was not until centuries later that the use of earthly forms would be forbideen in Islamic structures because of the belief that these structures were rerpresentative of God, not man. "

Tags:Ka'ba, Taj, Mahal, Alhambra, mosque

Abstract
Considers the Nasrid Dynasty in Moorish Spain, the historical context in which Muhammad I flourished, and the conditions that led to construction of the Alhambra Castle in Granada and its symbolic role.

From the Paper
"Islamic Rule in Spain Under Muhammad I
Thesis: Under Muhammad I, founder of the Nasrid Dynasty in Moorish Spain, Granada became a unique center of culture and the arts, even though the rest of Spain was being drawn into the chaos of the Christian ..."

Abstract
This paper compares Nash Candelaria's "Memories of the Alhambra", documenting three generations of New Mexicans and Roche Carrier's novel of wartime Quebec "La Guerre, Yes Sir!". The former deals with integration while the latter documents Canada's 'two solitudes.'

Abstract
The paper states that the Islamic rule over Spain lasted for almost 800 years, starting in 711 A.D., and left its indelible marks on the Spanish culture and European history. The author describes several Muslim contributions. The paper concludes that the contribution of the Muslims to the European Renaissance is obscured by centuries of prejudice and animosity towards the Muslims in Spain.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Background & Reasons for the Easy Conquest
Culture
The Golden Period (756-1031 A.D.)
Architecture
Language
Other Influences of Muslim Spain
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Andalusian Umayyad dynasty ruled Muslim Spain for about three centuries (756-1031). In the early part of the dynasty, Andalusia was an independent kingdom. It became a caliphate in 929 when Abd-ar-Rahman III proclaimed himself caliph. His capital, C'rdoba, became the most splendid city in Europe apart from Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), and as noted earlier, the Spanish civilization during the Muslim rule was far in advance of the rest of Europe. Numerous schools were built, many of them provided free education to the poor. There were several Muslim universities where medicine, mathematics, philosophy, and literature were studied and researched."

Tags:europe, culture, architecture, language, muslim, renaissance, conquest, golden, period, iberian, peninsula, jewish, christian, berbers, visigothics, rdoba, granada, alhambra, mosque, moorish, hispanic, agriculture, toledo, intellectual, center, library