The Influence of Cultural Diversity on the Art of Mosque Design in Asian Countries

Abstract

A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims all over the world. A mosque is also a place to perform worship activities to gain the pleasure of Allah SWT. This study examines the influence of culture on the design of mosques in neighbouring Asian countries using qualitative descriptive methods and analyses the comparison of selected mosques. The focus is more on comparing the motifs, mimbar, and mihrab of mosques in selected Asian countries, such as Shah Alam Great Mosque, Panglima Kinta Mosque, Ipoh, and Tonson Mosque in Thailand using semiotics theory. The findings of the study found that local factors based on local lifestyle, urban development, local policies, local beliefs, local culture, and external factors such as foreign policy, national commercial policy, and foreign policy cause differences from the motifs found in the architecture of mosques. The history of the establishment of mosques in an area also influences the production of different mosque architecture. Among them, trade activities from foreign countries, such as Hindu-Buddhists and Christians, have influenced the production of motifs in mosque architecture. The use of motifs in mosque architecture carries a symbolic meaning based on cultural characteristics and ways of life closely related to the soul of the local population and brings the manifestation of art and Islam. This study proves that the manifestation of traditional jewellery does play an important role not only in spreading the symbolic meaning but also in representing the history, beliefs, and background of the local Malays.