Since the turn of the last century, the themes of “Islamic/Muslim architecture and city” have been a subject of growing interest of scholars and professionals alike. However, they are increasingly becoming a matter of controversy among the proponents and deniers. On the one hand, there is no evidence that the doctrine of Islam comprises, dictates or recommends a certain type of architecture or a model of city. On the other hand, one cannot deny the effects of the Islamic doctrine, direct or indirect, on the formation of arts and architecture, and on the foundation of cities.

Another aspect of this debate relates to the time-space factor. While some scholars consider “Islamic/Muslim architecture and city” as past and thus, a matter of history, others believe that the omnipresence of Islam in the current scenes of our life, concurrently with the role of cultures, must cast its shades on the various disciplines of the built environment.

The paradigm of the website therefore revolves around the following questions: Is there any Impact of Islam, as a religion, a way of life and a civilization on the built environment? If so, to what extent does it prescribe, shape or influence the appearance and functioning of the built environment.

Medinanet.org is a platform that aims to initiate, enrich and nurture debates around this paradigm through the analysis of the impact of Islam on the sciences of the city such as arts, architecture, urbanism, landscape and engineering.

The site is non-governmental, non-profit and international in its outlook, with programs dedicated to the advancing of human knowledge and sciences.

Medinanet.org is developed as a forum for architects, urban planners, designers and artists that are interested in Islamic/Muslim architecture, traditional Islamic/Muslim cities, built heritage in the Muslim world, the present and the future of cities and architecture in the light of Islamic message and thought. It is not intended to be exclusively for Muslims, and is open to all scholars interested in the site’s philosophy and paradigm.

Through the advancements in Internet technology, Medinanet.org has the facility to allow global access to a new database, including source materials and an online community of scholars and contributors. It also helps contributors to interact, exchange and share ideas, experiences and materials in the different domains of the built environment.

Suggestions for the improvement of this site are most welcome.