by ArchitectureWeek

Made of mud, sand, stone, glass, and steel, scaled from tiny to immense, designed for living, working, learning, and worshipping, a select collection of projects reveals a "comprehensive approach adopted to discover, understand, and explain the challenges of architecture in the Muslim world as it confronts modernity in all its diversity."

So says the jury of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture program, which, every three years, announces recipients of one of the world's most prestigious architecture awards. This year, seven projects have been selected for their architectural excellence and their service to the values of the primarily Muslim societies they are intended to serve.

Al-Abbas Mosque

One of the seven projects is the restoration of Al-Abbas Mosque, in Asnaf, Yemen, executed by conservator Marylène Barret of France, with assistance from Abdullah al-Hadrami of Yemen. The mosque is a living reminder of traditions and architectural achievements of one of the world's early civilizations.

Built over 800 years ago, the mosque is situated on the remains of an even older, pre-Islamic temple, on a site considered sacred since ancient times.   >>>

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Restoration of the ancient Al-Abbas Mosque in Yemen, executed by Marylène Barret and Abdullah al-Hadrami, is one of seven projects honored by the 2004 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Photo: Reha Günay Inside the Al-Abbas Mosque. Photo: Reha Günay   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.