Kuwait J. Sci. Eng. 29(1) pp.

135 - 159, 2002

A study of the design of mosques of the ministry of Awqaf and Islamic aairs in Kuwait

OMAR KHATTAB
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering & Petroleum, Kuwait University, Kuwait. e-mail:OKHATTAB@kuc0l.kuniv.edu.kw

ABSTRACT
The mosque is the prominent and perhaps only religious building in Islam. It is a building type which often reects the impact of the manifestation of local architectural traditions, which later on formed the core of Islamic architecture. Indeed the mosque is sometimes considered the prime symbol of a country's religious stance, or national identity. In an attempt to assert its national identity, the State of Kuwait has constructed numerous mosques over the past few decades. Through various ministerial agencies, funds were raised for mosque-building schemes. This paper attempts to provide a visual and architectural survey of the mosques built by the Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Aairs [MAIA] in Kuwait. It investigates the similarities and dierences in the design patterns, and searches for underlying endeavours to create distinctive styles that reect traditional values of Kuwaiti mosque architecture. The primary objective of this paper is to document the design process of MAIA mosques as well as to provide a glimpse of their architectural features. With the intention of searching for underlying similarities and dierences in their design patterns. There are very few documented studies on mosque architecture in general in Kuwait (Al Roumy 1988). But certainly there is no study, whatsoever, on the MAIA mosques. which represent one third of government mosques and around 14% of all existing mosques in Kuwait. This makes this preliminary reconnaissance study, which documents qualitatively all MAIA mosques and which visually analyses their architecture, the rst in its eld and an initial contribution to the study of this important topic. Keywords: components; design; mosque architecture; visual analysis.

INTRODUCTION
The appearance of new Muslim nations/states, particularly after the progressive dissolution of the Western colonial empires, has introduced a somewhat dierent source of funding. Since c. 1960 these states, whatever their political ideology, have increasingly engaged in mosque-building projects at all levels and on several scales. These ever more capital-intensive building programmes can be seen as attempts to

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create new expressions not only of political power, social control and piety, but also of sovereignty, national identity and modernity (Khan 1994, p. 248). The State of Kuwait is no exception to this prevailing pattern. Even more so, after earning its independence in 1961, Kuwait needed to further assert of its national and Islamic identity in the Arab and Muslim world. Hence, the country embarked on a mosque building scheme starting from the early seventies. Although all the mosques in Kuwait are under the administration of the MAIA, they can be classied, according to construction nancing, under two main categories; those mosques directly nanced by the MAIA, and other public or private mosques. The rst category is subdivided into large gathering principal mosques (Masjed for Friday prayer) and relatively smaller district mosques for everyday congregational prayers (Jama'). The primary objective of this preliminary study is the documentation of the architectural design of the mosques commissioned and built by the MAIA from 1973 to 1990. These mosques represent all the MAIA mosques (Fig. 1). Another objective is to examine, through visual analysis, whether the design process of these mosques has produced architecture that reects some of the Kuwaiti mosque heritage and architectural traditions. During this period 107 mosques were completed featuring 15 design types in addition to 7 mosques which have not followed the set-forward design types, totalling 114 completed mosques (Fig. 2). This gure represents 14% of all existing mosques in Kuwait, which shows the signicance of MAIA mosques. The reason for the choice of this particular time period is the availability of data on the subject at the Ministry of Public Works' [MPW] archives. Also,

Fig. 1. Total number of MAIA mosques completed from 1973 to 1990. (Ref. MAIA in 50 years 1997).

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Fig. 2. Total number of MAIA mosques according to design types. (Ref. MAIA in 50 years 1997).

after 1990, the MAIA and the MPW have slowed down, or virtually halted, the construction of new mosques, and concentrated eorts, instead, on nishing the commissioned and uncompleted mosque projects, as well as on restoring other mosques damaged or destroyed as a result of aggression during the Gulf War. Mosque types were put forward as a set of basic requirements for variable mosque sizes. They represent the design brief for individual MPW design sta. Each design type states the components that must be found in a particular size mosque, in addition to determining the areas of, and the relationships between these components. Each design type also species the architectural treatments that should be followed and the nishing materials that should be used. In short, design types give almost a complete description of the mosque to be designed leaving little room for individual designers' innovations.

An Historical Background
Over the years, benevolent people of Kuwait have built mosques all around the country, as an act of charity and a means of approaching Allah by encouraging Muslims to pray with in congregation in each vicinity. There benevolent people in their wills. allocated a third of their inheritance as Waqf for mosque construction. They did not only nance the construction of mosques, but have also furnished and equipped them with all the essentials and have allotted money to pay for maintenance and running costs. The rst mosque to be built in Kuwait was Al-Baher (Al-Ibrahim) mosque, completed at 1696 (MAIA 1997, p.27). Mosque building and maintenance activities continued in the same individual benevolent manner over the years from 1696 up to 1949. MAIA renovated most of the old mosques built around Kuwait during the period from 1949 to 1960. After independence, most mosque construction activities were given to the Design Section [DS] at the MPW. In the newly founded residential

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areas, the National Agency for Housing Welfare [NAHW] was given the task of mosque construction since it is responsible for the establishment of these areas. After completion of construction. The MAIA takes over the responsibility of supervision, maintenance and operation of these mosques in terms of the appointment of Imam and Muezzin for each mosque.

METHODOLOGY
To determine the main design components of MAIA mosques it was necessary to carry out an architectural survey. A sample of the total population of these mosques was selected for the visual architectural survey. Sample selection was based on availability of architectural drawings of MAIA mosques and aimed to cover the most frequently used and more recent MAIA mosque types. After collecting a large number of mosque drawing for the sample, the author classied them and sieved the relevant ones that could be used for the visual analysis. Time and resource limitations available to the author restricted the number of mosques selected. As mentioned earlier the total number of MAIA mosques is 114. This represents 14% of the existing 795 mosques in Kuwait according to 1998 statistics from the Mosques Department [MD] at the MAIA. This comprises all public and private, old and new mosques, including those of the MAIA (Fig. 3). Of that number there are 345 government-funded mosques in Kuwait, one third of which are the MAIA mosques. This puts the MAIA mosques in context in terms of size and magnitude.

Governates

Fig 3. Distribution of total existing number of mosques in Kuwait by governate. (Ref. MAIA in 50 years 1997).

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Out of the population of MAIA mosques, a sample of 12 mosques was chosen for analysis in this paper. There are 15 dierent design-types, as well as 7 non-type mosques that are developed by the DS sta at the MPW for the MAIA. Due to limitations of available data at the MPW, a sample of 9 of these types are covered in the visual and architectural survey in addition to 3 other non-type mosques that do not follow the design-type system, which are Musallam, Mulla Saleh and Jahra mosques. Table (1) shows the relation between the surveyed sample and the total population of MAIA mosques.
Table 1: Relation between sample size and total number of MAIA mosques according to design types. Type 1 2 6 0 3 11 0 4 1 0 7 0 8 0 9 9A 10 11 11A 13 15 20 60 Non-type Total 1 0 9 1 7 1 13 1 3 1 16 1 9 2 1 1 1 1 7 3 114 12 Number 4 Sample 0 14 11

As stated ealier, each design type prescribes a set of areas and proximity relationships for all the functional components that need to be designed. In the few specic cases of MAIA mosques that did not follow the type system [non-type mosques], more freedom was given to DS sta to formulate the design brief according to site conditions, basic requirements, context, and personal innovations. The available architectural drawings of the 12-mosque samples were obtained from the MPW and redrawn by the author who also photographed their external facades. Attention is given in this paper to the documentation and analysis of the design component parts of the mosques surveyed. According to the criteria set by Frishman (1994), the main components of a mosque are the haram (prayer hall), sahn (courtyard), riwaq (colonnade), qibla wall, mihrab (niche), minbar (pulpit), dikka (tribune), kursi (Qur'an holder), maqsura (imam's lodge), maida' (ablution place), minaret, and portal. For the purpose of this research and due to the nature of MAIA mosque design the visual analysis in this paper is limited to some of these components namely the haram, sahn, riwaq, qibla wall, minbar, mihrab, minaret, maida' and portal. The rest of the components are not dealt with here. The focus is, however, on plan forms, elevations and external components, e.g. minarets, and portals. It is not the aim or scope of this paper to make a comparison of the design of old and new mosques of Kuwait. However, in order to describe the typical component parts of a traditional Kuwaiti mosque, two outstanding examples of old mosques, Al-Khalifa and Al-Saeed mosques, are referred to. While the rst example is regarded as the most representative among old Kuwaiti mosques (Lukoke 1978, p. 148), the second example is said to be the only remaining mosque in old Kuwait town which preserves many of its original architectural features (Al-Rashoud 1995, p. 203).

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A DESIGN PROCESS
As a common practice in Kuwait after the commission to build a mosque is given to the MPW by the MAIA, the DS at the MPW takes over the job and embarks on completing the design documents of the new mosque. The MPW in conjunction with the MAIA have developed a set of design guidelines for mosques, dealing with all aspects of mosque construction. While the MAIA has developed a set of general design requirements for all mosques, the MPW has developed the design types for various mosque sizes and outlined the specic design guidelines for each type. The latter include a list of all component parts, the preferred square meter area for each of them as well as the governing relationships among all these components, in addition to the prescribed architectural treatment and nishing materials selection. However, some freedom is given to individual DS sta in the choice of architectural treatment of each project providing they abide by the guidelines. Since the MPW employs foreign expatriates as DS sta, the nal design output depends, to some extent, on each designer's professional background. This has resulted in the variety of architectural treatments of the mosque types and in the dierent interpretations of the MAIA design guidelines. In order to study the design of MAIA mosques it is essential to rst understand the nature of these guidelines. Therefore, it is important to summarise these guidelines as a threshold for the analysis of the output design patterns.

MAIA & MPW Guidelines for Mosque Design

The guidelines are divided into general comments on the design as a whole, and specic requirements for various mosque components. Extracts from MAIA & MPW archives were obtained and translated by the Author. While the genral requirements apply to all mosque sizes and types, the specic requirements vary between types depending on their size.

General Requirements
These come in the form of a set of general design suggestions as follows: 1 - Simplicity must be sought in internal and external design, without contradictions to worship requirements. 2 - Circular shapes must be excluded and plans should be congurations of rectangular and square shapes to ensure regularity of prayers lines. 3 - Friday mosques should be provided with fully equipped libraries.

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4 - Harmony must be sought in selection of indoor furnishings and outdoor colours. A marble plinth of at least 1m high should be made all around internal walls.

Specic Requirements
This part deals with detailed requirements for each mosque component. They are meant to help designers form evaluation criteria for the design of new mosques. They include specic guidelines on area, height, shape, and proportions of all mosque components, such as the haram, sahn, riwaq, minaret, and maida'.

VISUAL, ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS

Frishman (1994) has identied nine typical mosque components; demarcated space (which contains the haram, sahn, and riwaq), the qibla wall, minbar, dikka, kursi, maqsura, pool, minaret, and portal (Frishman 1994, pp. 32-41). The visual analysis in this paper focuses on six of these nine components, leaving out the dikka, kursi, and maqsura, as they are not customary to Kuwaiti mosques in genral (Ibn Al-Roumy, 1988). Each of the six components is visually analysed across the 12 sample mosques, then singled-out in a separate descriptive sketch plate containing a selection of representative examples from the surveyed sample. Each sketch plate contains the author's hand-drawn plans, sections, or elevations representing a particular mosque component. One of the plates contains the author's most recent photographs of some of the MAIA mosques surveyed in order to demonstrate visually the similarities and dierences in the architectural image of the sample. Prior to analysing the MAIA mosque sample, the author traced the historical precedent of mosque components, drawing on some examples of traditional Kuwaiti mosques with a focus on the two cases of Al-Khalifa and Al-Saeed mosques. This is done with the aid of old photographic records of some other traditional mosques (Fig. 4) and more recent images, plans, elevations, and minaret details of the old Al-Khalifa and Al-Saeed mosques (Figs. 5 & 6), indicating the existence of all the six main components in traditional Kuwaiti mosques. As Lukoke (1978) states about the design of these mosques: Old mosques of Kuwait were built following the open-mosques type prevailing in the Arabian peninsula. The roofs of prayer halls in these mosques were supported by wooden columns. Each mosque contained one prayer hall preceded by a riwaq on the entry side which is connected to an open courtyard on the opposite side of the qibla wall. (Lukoke 1978, p. 148).

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The Haram

Al-Awadi Mosque

The Mihrab & Minbar

Al-Mataba Mosque

The Portal

Al-Khalifa Mosque

The Portal

Said Al-Atibi Mosque

The Qiblawall

Al-Mutawa Mosque

The Qibla Wall

Naif Mosque

The Minaret

Al-Flaij Mosque

The Minaret

Naser Al-Badr Mosque

The Minaret

Al-Nisf Mosque

The Minaret Al-Mediras Mosque

The Minaret Ibn Habla Mosque

Source: From Ibn Al-Roumi "History of Old Mosuqes of Kuwait".

Fig. 4. Examples of early mosques built in Kuwait over the past 3 centuries.

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Haram Riwaq

Sahn

Haram Riwaq

Sahn

Al-Khalifa Mosque

Al-Saeed Mosque

Entry Facade, Al-Khalifa Mosque

Entry Facade, Al-Saeed Mosque

HISTORICAL PRECEDENT

Minaret Details

Minaret Details

Source: Author's sketches after drawings obtained from the Architectural & Engineering Affairs Department, the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters, Kuwait.
Fig. 5. Main components of Al-Khalifa and Al-Saeed mosques.

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Riwaq

Haram

Portal

Qibla Wall

Minaret Al-Khalifa Mosque

Sahn

Mihrab & Minbar

HISTORICAL PRECEDENT

Qibla Wall & Minaret Al-Saeed Mosque

Fig. 6: Recent images of Al-Khalifa and Al-Saeed mosques.

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The plans of the Al-Khalifa and Al-Saeed mosques demonstrate the presence of haram, riwaq, and shan in similar procession in old Kuwaiti mosques. The rest of the main components, i.e. qibla wall, minbar, maida', minaret, and portal, are also visible in the visual analysis of both traditional mosques (Figs. 5 & 6). These two examples are, to a great extent, typical of the conguration of traditional Kuwaiti mosques.

MAIA Mosque Components 1 . The Demarcated Space

This component contains the sub-components of haram, sahn, and riwaq. Originally the haram and riwaq were roofed while the sahn was open to the sky. Due to the harsh weather in Kuwait, all MAIA mosque-types have adapted a modied version with all three sub-components covered and mechanically airconditioned. From the architectural survey carried out on the MAIA mosque sample, it is clear that the riwaq separates the sahn and haram as a transitional space in all cases. Upon entry, one rst comes to the sahn which is a large space with a high ceiling, then passes through the riwaq which is narrower and lower, to arrive nally at the haram which is the main focal element that is naturally-lit by sky light or clearstory. The proportions of these 3 parts vary according to mosque capacity and design. This variation is apparent in Table 2, which is based on the MAIA mosques sample and in Table 3, which is based on the old mosques sample. Comparison of the averages in both tables indicates that while the sahn played an important role in old mosques where it occupied 50% of the demarcated space area, its role is marginal in MAIA mosques (only 20% of demarcated space). At the same time the role of the haram has increased from 20% of the area in old mosques to 50% in the MAIA sample. This can be attributed to adaptation to severely hot weather in Kuwait where an open sahn should be kept to the minimum size.

Table 2: Proportion of the haram, riwaq and sahn to the demarcated space in the MAIA mosques sample. Type Haram Riwaq Sahn 9A 10 11 11A 13A 15 15A 20 60 Musallam Jahra M.Saleh average 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.2

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Table 3: Proportion of the haram, riwaq and sahn to the demarcated space in the old mosques sample. Type Haram Riwaq Sahn Al-Khalifa 0.25 0.25 0.5 Al-Saeed 0.3 0.2 0.5 average 0.3 0.2 0.5

The sahn, in 50% of the cases surveyed, is surrounded by the riwaq on 4 sides, while the other 50% has only a single riwaq from the haram side. A Mosque's main entrance is often found perpendicular to the qibla wall. The haram has a partly high level ceiling in its centre, covered by a dome with a clearstory in 60% of the sample and covered only by a clearstory in the remaining 40%. Arrangement of the components of the demarcated space, i.e. the haram, riwaq, and sahn, in the MAIA mosque sample is shown in Fig. 7. Mosques are identied in all the analysis gures in this paper by either a name or a type number depending on whether they are following the type design or not. In addition to this, design-types 11, 13 and 15 were modied from the original type design throughout the period of implementation, and therefore are referred to in the gures as 'modied' types.

2. The Qibla Wall

What makes a mosque a mosque? The answer is forbiddingly simple: a wall correctly oriented towards the qibla, namely the Black Stone within the Ka'ba in Mecca. (Hillenbrand 1994, p. 31). The wall that Hillenbrand meant in this quotation is the qibla wall. This important component contains the focal point of any mosque, namely the mihrab which is a recess or niche in the wall for the Imam to lead the congregation in prayer. Worshippers have to observe the location of mihrab in order to face the right direction during their prayers. With mihrab in its midpoint, the qibla wall has become an important element in mosque architecture. All MAIA sample mosques have adopted a qibla wall model that has no openings, at least at the worshippers' level, and has a mihrab alcove exposed outside the wall. This important element, externally visible, has led this component to become a reference point to qibla direction for residents in the mosque's vicinity. The reason for the windowless qibla wall, as indicated in the MAIA design guidelines, is to avoid distraction and diversion of prayers' attention during the Friday sermon (khutba) and during prayers. A few rear views and sections of qibla wall from the surveyed sample are shown in Fig. 8.

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HARAM RIWAQ SAHN

HARAM RIWAQ SAHN

Jahra Mosque

Musallam Mosque

HARAM HARAM

HARAM

RIWAQ RIWAQ SAHN RIWAQ

SAHN

SAHN RIWAQ RIWAQ

Qibla Direction Mosque Type 11 Mosque Type 15 Mosque Type 9A

Haram, Sahn, & Riwaq

HARAM

HARAM RIWAQ

RIWAQ

SAHN RIWAQ

Mosque Type 20

SAHN

Mulla Saleh Mosque

Source: Author's sketches after original drawings obtained from M.P.W. Kuwait.
Fig. 7: Haram, Sahn, and riwaq as surveyed in the MAIA mosque types.

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Type 20

Musallam

Type 11 Cross Sections

Type 9A

REAR SIDE OF MIHRAB

Type 20

Type 11 [Rear Side]

REAR SIDE OF MIHRAB

Jahra [Rear Side]

Qibla Wall
Source: Author's sketches after original drawings obtained from M.P.W., Kuwait.

REAR SIDE OF MIHRAB

Type 15 [Rear Side]

Fig. 8: Qibla wall examples as surveyed in the MAIA mosque types.

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3. The Minbar
This is a pulpit or raised platform for the Imam to be comfortably seen by worshippers during the delivery of the Friday sermon. The mihrab and minbar are assumed to be the most important features of a mosque, as all worshippers have to position themselves perpendicular to them during prayers. Therefore, or eort is made to distinguish the minbar and mihrab from the rest of the qibla wall through architectural treatment and ornamentation. MAIA mosques have adopted a built-in type minbar integrated with the mihrab, and always positioned to its right, in a single unit that may have been inspired by inuences from the nearby Indian sub-continent. Ninety-two% of the MAIA mosque sample showed a three-compartment unit for the minbar and the mihrab and a space for or amplifying sound system to the left of the mihrab which is in the middle of this unit. The remaining 8% of the sample, which is type 15, showed a two-compartment unit. The three-compartment unit has an axis of symmetry passing through the centre of the mihrab with some special articulation to highlight the minbar. This articulation for both minbar and mihrab mainly uses Islamic geometric and oral patterns and motifs, such as mukarnas, integrated with Arabic calligraphy of verses of the Qura'n as the main source of decoration. Frequently used materials for decoration of minbar and mihrab in MAIA mosques sample are marble, ceramic tiles, and stucco. Some surveyed examples of minbar and mihrab demonstrating the prevailing variations are shown in Fig. 9.

4. The Pool, or Ablution Place

Traditionally this element is introduced as an outstanding feature, with or without a fountain, in the open-to-sky sahn. In addition to fullling the prescribed ritual of ablution before prayer, it also serves as an aesthetic element. Since MAIA mosque types have a roofed and air-conditioned sahn, the pool took the form of an enclosed unit containing ablution space and restrooms at the edge of the mosque. The location of the pool is decided based on the Islamic rule that a man using a toilet should not be in the direction of qibla, which is clear from the orientation of all W.C. cubicles shown in Fig. 10. It is also apparent from surveyed examples that the pool has a direct access from outside, in addition to an access to riwaq or sahn, in order to maintain the separation between the impure domain of the W.C. area and the pure domain of the haram.

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Type 15

Jahra

Jahra

Type 9A

Type 20

Musallam

Type 20

Type 11

The Minbar & The Mihrab

Type 15

Mulla Saleh

Source: Author's sketches after original drawings obtained from M.P.W., Kuwait.
Fig. 9: Minbar and mihrab as surveyed in the MAIA mosque types.

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SAHN

MEN'S W.C.

SUPERVISORS ROOM

RIWAQ MEN'S ABLUTION

WASH BASINS

MEN'S ABLUTION

Mulla Saleh Mosque Qibla Direction

ELECTERICAL ROOM

Musallam Mosque

WOMEN'S W.C.

STORE

Source: Author's skectche after original drawings obatined from M.P.W., Kuwait.
Fig. 10: The pool or ablution as surveyed in MAIA mosque types.

WOMEN'S ABLUTION

MEN'S W.C. ENT.

MEN'S ABLUTION MEN'S W.C.

IMAM'S ROOM

Jahra Mosque
MEN'S ABLUTION ENT.

Type 9A

The Pool [Ablution]

Type 15

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5. The Minaret
Although this component part has lost, to a great extent, its original intent as a high place to broadcast the call for prayer (adhan) as far as possible, it has acquired a greater role in mosque, and perhaps Islamic architecture. The minaret has not only become the identifying feature of a mosque, but also it has become the symbol of Islam. The tradition was to build one minaret for each mosque until the Ottoman era when twin minarets came in to existence (Fletcher 1998). Currently there are mosques with more than two minarets, for example Al-Haram Al-Sharif Mosque in Mecca has seven minarets. Minarets in the mosques of Kuwait were building of low height and almost at roof level or slightly higher. (Lukoke 1978, p. 148). Lukoke (1978) states that in 1912 there were a few minarets in Kuwait that could hardly be seen above the rooftops of the houses due to their low height. Also Gardiner (1983) conrms that during the 1920s there was no signicantly high minarets. There were no great buildings in Kuwait, no mosques with gleaming sea-blue domes, no unique pieces of special historical signicance. (Gardiner 1983, p. 39). This emphasises the fact that traditional mosques of Kuwait were simple and humble in their architectural features. MAIA mosque-types have adopted the single and simple minaret model, apart from the large capacity model type 20 (more than 2000 worshipper capacity) where there are two minarets. It is also observed that all minarets in the sample are located to the right of haram, apart from Jahra mosque where it is to its left. Again, this is in adherence with the specic requirements in MAIA design guidelines. The dominant plan forms of minaret shafts in the surveyed sample are the octagon and the square shapes (percentages are 67% and 25% respectively). Occasionally we nd a shaft with a circular plan (only 8%) as in Table 4.
Table 4: Minarets' shaft plan shapes in MAIA mosques sample. Minaret's shaft plan shapes Plan shape No. in sample Octagon 8 Square 3 Circle 1 12 Total no.

All minarets have a spiral concrete staircase in the centre leading to mosque's roof and balcony level. All surveyed minarets are relatively low (height ranges from 21 to 29 meters), apart from type 20 where height is 45 meters, with only one balcony level ending with a bronze crescent xed over their dome-like top part. Again this brings to mind the traditional Kuwaiti forms of low rise, onebalcony level minarets shown earlier in the examples of old mosques. Examples of minarets from the MAIA mosques sample are shown in Fig. 11.

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The Minaret

Type 9A

Type 11

Type 15

Musallam

Type 15

Type 11

Type 9A

Musallam

Mulla Saleh

Jahra Type 20 Section Jahra Source: Author's sketches after original drawings obtained from M.P.W. Kuwait. Note: Minarets are not drawn to the same scale.
Fig. 11: Minarets as surveyed in MAIA mosque types.

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6. The Portal
This is basically the threshold between hasty earthly life and the tranquil atmosphere inside the mosque. It is overloaded with symbolic meanings, as the saying goes; believers should take their mind o all earthly matters as they takeo their shoes at the portal to enter the mosque. While, traditionally, the minaret served as the reference to the location of a mosque from a far distance the portal, at a closer distance, is the reference to its heart, i.e. the prayer hall. Much attention is paid to design of portals in MAIA mosques in order to dene them unmistakably. In all surveyed examples the portal is raised a few steps above pavement level and is surrounded by a protruding frame, colonnade or canopy casting shadow on it for further identication from the rest of the entry wall. Furthermore, the portal should also reect the generosity of the mosque's patron, in case it is nanced through individual Waqf (inheritance) administered by MAIA. For this, the patron's name is engraved on a marble sign put close to the portal which also identies the mosque's name (if dierent from that of the patron's) and completion date (Fig. 12). MAIA mosques use a combination of building materials, which is standardised for unity and simplicity. Combinations include lime or sand bricks for walls with plaster and paint for roof trims. Alternatively lime or sand cut-stones for walls together with marble slabs for roof trims.

Similarities and Dierences

Previous analysis demonstrates that through the application of MAIA mosque guidelines, a number of design patterns have emerged in the form of the various mosque-types developed. Visual analysis shows that there are underlying similarities and dierences between these design patterns. One of the similarities is that all mosque types follow the pre-set MAIA guidelines and have the same component parts. They share a simple plan and elevation and, to some extent, reect values and traditions of old mosque arcchitecture in Kuwait; e.g. simple and regular plan forms without formal sophistication, low and single balcony minarets, and simple parapets without crenellations. Also all types use more or less the same combination of nishing materials with minor variations; e.g. cut limestone instead of lime bricks. However the design types, though generated through the same guidelines, dier amongst themselves in the architectural variations of facades and main elements, such as domes and minarets where individual designer's innovations are permitted. They also have dierent plan congurations for the same component arrangement (Fig. 13). The previously mentioned similarities and dierences are merely observational and stem from the visual analysis. A more in-depth comparison study of the MAIA mosque-types on the one hand, and of

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Type 11

Type 15

Jahra [detail]

Jahra

Type 15

The Portal

Type 9A

Musallam

Source: Author's sketches after original drawings obtained from M.P.W. Kuwait.
Fig. 12: The portal as surveyed in MAIA mosque types.

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Type 60

Type 20

Type 15

Type 11

Type 11 [modified]

Type 10

Type 9A

Type 13 [modified]

Mulla Saleh mosque

Type 15 [modified]

Musallam mosque

Source: Author's transparencies.

Fig. 13: Examples of surveyed MAIA mosque-types.

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the old mosques of Kuwait on the other, may substantiate these ndings and reveal more results.

CONCLUSION
In this paper a representative sample of the MAIA mosque population was visually and architecturally surveyed in an attempt to document the design process and features of this signicant segment of mosque architecture in Kuwait. Since these mosques are directly nanced and designed by the Kuwaiti government, it is assumed that they should be a symbol reecting the country's political stance and asserting its inherited values and traditions. The author tried to examine how much the design process of MAIA mosques allows for that intent to materialise. MAIA mosque types are a product of two processes; the rst is the application of the MPW and MAIA guidelines for mosque design and the second is the limited individual innovations of the DS sta at the MPW. As indicated earlier, application of the rst process has produced some similarities among MAIA surveyed mosques especially in terms of plan congurations and overall appearance. Application of the second process has led to some architectural dierences among them notably in facade treatment and specic design components such as domes and minarets. Like the homes and buildings the mosques of old Kuwait were simple, with low minarets and little decoration. Today there is an exquisite mosque in every street, some in traditional, many in ultra modern, Islamic styles. (Kuwait State Directory 1998, p. 19). While the latter part of this statement conrms the fact that new mosque architecture in Kuwait, by-and-large, has little attachment to its past, its rst part probably summarises the design criteria that MAIA mosque-types are adopting. That criteria is generally simple, straight forward, and to some extent derived from old Kuwaiti mosque forms as has been primarily presented throughout the visual and architectural survey of the sample. So far, this criteria has succeeded in creating an easily recognisable and unmistakable image of most MAIA mosques. What is yet to be achieved is a contemporary image that reects the long tradition of mosque architecture in Kuwait. This can only be possible when more insightful architectural guidelines, derived from the careful analysis of the traditional mosques of Kuwait, are available to designers for reference and application. This study does not claim to have deeply exhausted the issue of MAIA mosque design, since this requires a more extensive, deep and broad study using a larger sample size and more in-depth coverage. Nonetheless, it regards itself as

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the threshold to further elaborate research on the matter. Parallel to this, a similar study has to be conducted on the traditional mosques of Kuwait in order to explore further the historical precedent and to draw a set of reference guidelines for the design of new mosques that may reect Kuwait's national identity. Comparative analysis across these two studies would help in giving some needed insight to MPW design sta responsible for the design of new mosques.

REFERENCES
Al-Rashoud, C.F. 1995. Mosques of Kuwait. In: Fullerton, A. & Fehervari, G. (Ed). Kuwait Arts and Architecture, a Collection of Essays. Pp. 199-207. Oriental Press, UAE. Fletcher, B. 1998 (20th ed.). A History of Architecture. Architectural Press, Oxford, UK. Frishman, M. 1994. Islam and the Form of the Mosque. In: Khan, H.U. & Frishman, M. (Ed). The Mosque. Pp. 17-41. Thames and Hudson Ltd, London, UK. Gardiner, S. 1983. Kuwait the Making of a City. Longman, Essex, UK. Hillenbrand, R. 1994, Islamic Architecture. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, UK. Ibn Al-Roumy 1988. Tariekh Masajed Al-Dierah Al-Qadima. [or History of the Country's Old Mosques] Al-Qabas Commercial Press, Kuwait. (in Arabic). Khan, H.U. 1994. An Overview of Contemporary Mosques. In Khan, H.U. & Frishman, M. (Ed). The Mosque. Pp. 247-267. Thames and Hudson Ltd, London, UK. Kuwait State Directory 1998. Kuwait, Multimedia Publishing, Kuwait. Lukoke, R. 1978. Al-Emara Al-Taklidiya Al-Kuwait wa Shamal Al-Khalij. [or The Traditional Architecture of Kuwait and the North of the Gulf]. London, U.K. (in Arabic). Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aairs [MAIA] in 50 years 1997. A Ministerial report prepared by the Information Unit, Planning and Follow-Up Administration, Planning and Development Section, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aairs [MAIA]. Kuwait.

(Submitted 14 May 2000) (Revised 4 February 2001) (Accepted 21 March 2001)

A Study of the Design of Mosques Of The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aairs in Kuwait

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