An Architectural Comparison between the Mosques and Castles in Cairo with Andalusia-Maghreb In the Fourth and the Fifth Centuries

When Muslim Arabs entered neighboring territories, they tried to imitate the new architectural methods of the region. They managed to masterfully modify and change its characteristics so that they would become adaptable to Muslims’ teachings. In Egypt and Andalusia-Maghreb, Islamic architecture expanded in western conquered lands. Despite applying Islamic features and teachings in building structures, Islamic architecture had differences in Muslim world. Each region had its own architectural methods which distinguished them. Unfortunately in the history of Islamic architecture, specific features of every region and the reasons behind their differences have not been analyzed yet. Therefore the raised question of the present paper is: What are the similarities, differences and the influences of architectural features of Cairo with Andalusia – Maghreb ones? Architectural features of Cairo in Fatimid era were hugely influenced by Andalusia – Maghreb. The purpose of the present paper is to analyze the similarities and the differences between the architectural features of Cairo and Andalusia-Maghreb. The present article has applied a descriptive – analytical comparison based on earlier researches and reconstructions of architecture scholars as well as some recent researches. Undeniably, architecture of Cairo and Andalusia – Maghreb has influenced each other.