DECORATIVE DESIGN IN THE MINARETS OF ANCIENT ISLAMIC MOSQUES: IRAQ AS A MODEL

To trace the growth and development of Islamic decorative art, it is essential to identify the various civilizations that came under the influence of the Islamic state. The impact of a civilization found in the Mediterranean seems to shape that Islamic artistic identity. This abstract trend in Islamic art and architecture emerged in Central Asia, making Islamic architecture a fertile source for the Muslim artist and architectural designer. Its decorative designs, abundant with many architectural complements, included vegetal and geometric motifs in the realm of Islamic art, introduced with the Mongol invasions. Despite the cultural heritage and artifacts brought by traders, credit goes to the Muslim artist for what he created and developed in the field of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic architecture, which integrated different civilizations harmoniously under Islam. This resulted in a magnificent artistic output in architecture, particularly on the walls of minarets, where Islamic decoration has always been able to rival other arts.