_Role of a Dome-less Mosque in Conserving the Religious and Traditional Values of Muslims: An Innovative Architecture of Shah Faisal Mosque, Islamabad

The mosque occupies a central position in the social as well as religious life of Muslims. It is not only a place of worship where rites are performed, but also serves as a social place where Muslims take part in welfare activities. The design and architecture of the mosque have local as well as global impacts, representing religious, economic, and aesthetic dimensions of Muslim social organization. Generally, the mosque architecture has three notable things: domes, arches and minarets. There are very few examples of mosques which lack any one or all of these architectural features, but still they are maintaining the Muslims’ traditional values. In this case-study, the Shah Faisal Mosque of Pakistan has been discussed in detail. This mosque is a dome-less building and is one of the best examples of modern Muslim architecture. This paper discusses the development of innovative architectural and design elements of the mosque and their benefit to the various functions in terms of space planning, proportion and aesthetics. A descriptive analysis is also performed to assess the effectiveness of the cultural and religious role being played by the mosque at national and global level.