The 4th International Mosque Architecture Conference was held at our Taşkışla Campus

The 4th International Mosque Architecture Conference was held at our Taşkışla Campus, hosted by our Faculty of Architecture. Organized in collaboration with our university and the Abdullatif Al Fozan Mosque Architecture Award, the conference brought together academics, architects, and researchers for sessions discussing the future of mosque architecture, where heritage meets innovation.

The 4th International Mosque Architecture Conference, held under the theme “Rethinking Mosque Architecture” in collaboration with Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and the Abdullatif Al Fozan Mosque Architecture Award, was hosted by ITU Faculty of Architecture between November 4 and 6, 2025.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Dr. Serdar Çam, ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, ITU Faculty of Architecture Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Küçükmehmetoğlu, Istanbul Mufti Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emrullah Tuncel, and Abdullatif Al Fozan Mosque Architecture Award Secretary General Prof. Mashary A. Alnaim attended the opening ceremony held on November 4.

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal stated that mosques, with their multi-layered nature, are spaces that encompass different dimensions of life. He emphasized that mosque architecture stands out as a field that contributes to society at the intersection of culture, history, science, and technology, highlighting the importance of viewing this from a perspective that spans from the past to the future.

Prof. Dr. Mandal stated that the conference represents a meaningful step in rebuilding a spatial concept that goes beyond concrete and technology and puts people at the center; one that brings together science, art, and social contribution on common ground, connecting the past with the future. He noted that this approach reflects the changing role of universities. He stated that with its 252 years of history, ITU is a pioneering institution that focuses on social contribution through an interdisciplinary approach in both engineering and architecture, producing solutions to the needs of our country and humanity.

The conference attracted significant international interest from the fields of architecture and academia. A total of 317 scientific papers were submitted from around the world. Following a rigorous peer review process conducted by a panel of 55 distinguished experts, 84 papers were selected for presentation. These papers reflect a wide range of innovative, critical, and interdisciplinary approaches to mosque architecture, highlighting the field's evolution and development within both traditional and contemporary contexts.

The conference featured 16 distinguished keynote speakers renowned in the fields of mosque architecture and urbanization. Throughout the event, participants addressed various thematic and regional dimensions of mosque design and function in 12 scientific sessions and 4 panel discussions. In addition to these sessions, two special workshops were organized. The first, titled “Mosque Architecture in Türkiye,” was held in collaboration with the Presidency of Religious Affairs. The second workshop, themed “Mosque Architecture and Children,” focused on mosque design from the perspective of young people and interaction with education.

One of the most noteworthy parts of the conference was the presentation of the official proceedings book titled “Rethinking Mosque Architecture.” This comprehensive two-volume publication, total of 1,740 pages, was presented to conference participants. This work, which contains all the accepted academic papers, made a significant contribution to current discussions on mosque design, cultural context, and urban integration.

Istanbul Technical University, by hosting the event, reinforced its role as a global center for architectural thought, while the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award continued its mission of promoting excellence and innovation in mosque architecture. Together, the two institutions laid the groundwork for meaningful dialogue, academic collaboration, and the reimagining of one of the most important building typologies in Islamic culture.