ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Islamic architecture

Islamic architecture refers to the way buildings, like mosques or palaces, are designed in Muslim countries or areas where a lot of Muslims live. Just like how some buildings in other countries might have some things that are unique to them, Islamic architecture has its own special design.

One of the most important things about Islamic architecture is its use of patterns and geometrical shapes. For example, you might see a lot of stars, circles, and squares in the designs. You might also see a lot of decorations like calligraphy, or beautiful writing, and colorful tiles.

Another really important feature of Islamic architecture is the way buildings are set up to help people pray. In mosques, for example, there is usually a special space called a qibla wall, where there is a niche called a mihrab that points towards Mecca. Muslims face Mecca when they pray, so this helps them know what direction to pray in.

Now, architecture in Islamic countries is also very diverse. Depending on where you go, there are different styles and shapes that are used. For example, some buildings might have domes or big arches, while others might have really tall minarets (a tower on mosques that people can call out the prayer times from).

Overall, Islamic architecture is really special and has a lot of different unique features that make it stand out. It's also really important for Muslims, as it helps them practice their religion by providing spaces for prayer and worship.
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