Abstract

I have always found places that seem to exist "out of time" so to speak, extremely peaceful and alluring. These could include cemeteries, or even monumental and out-of-time structures like the pyramids. Yet there is something even stronger one feels when inside such a structure. That is, when a space - architecture - has been created that allows one to not simply witness something that seems to exist in eternity, but to reside within it. One cannot divorce these structures - and the human desire to construct them - from religion and religiosity. For throughout time, commemorative architecture has played a big role in the religious practices of peoples. While no two examples of commemorative monuments from different cultures could be interpreted in precisely the same way, it is likely that both would reflect deep-seated beliefs, perhaps of a religious nature, of the culture in which they originated. In Islam, the concept and permissibility of commemorative architecture is fraught. Some interpretations even advocate for the destruction of such structures. This thesis looks at the universal concept of commemorative architecture and traces the emergence of the form in the Islamic tradition.

Department

Arab & Islamic Civilizations Department

Degree Name

MA in Arabic Studies

Graduation Date

6-1-2019

Submission Date

May 2019

First Advisor

Kenney, Ellen

Committee Member 1

O'Kane, Bernard

Committee Member 2

Stelzer, Steffen

Extent

129 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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