Ramadan Kareem

Tilework in Isfahan (Ali Moayedian, 2002)

Here is another, more positive association with Islam. Ramadan Kareem Mash, Abu Fares, Mirvat and Zazou.

In an article published in the magazine Science, Peter Lu and Paul Steinhardt of Harvard University have suggested that Muslim artisans were using complex mathematics to help design motifs more than 500 years ago.

It has often been suggested that the Koran prohibited the representation of the living world, thus stimulating the development of abstract geometrical arts. But Muslim painters have produced a large body of fine paintings of people and all sorts of animals. Miniatures produced in Iran and India are one such example of the pictures of animate subjects.

Unlike Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, Islamic art does not have an image of God. The only visual image of God presented in the Koran is that of Nur, meaning light. Since stars are the source of light from the heavens, it was only natural for the artists to decorate religious buildings with patterns dominated by star shapes.

Stars were also important to Arabs in an additional sense as well, because they were dependent upon the constellations to navigate both in the featureless Arabian deserts and on the seas, as Arabs were consummate seafarers.

PS.. and I forgot Mahmoud as well. I have not established as much of a rapport/communique with him but his blog/posts and perspectives are very interesting AND outspoken. Another worthwhile read.