Exploring Sustainable Approaches of Modernization and Regionalism for Mosque Design in Qatar

In this age of globalization and environmental crises, the ethical desire to design appropriately for a place, its climate and people through proper technology is increasing. The major problem that results from globalization is losing the local identity. The loss of identity in the contemporary cities has become a recognizable phenomenon which has led to social, physical, and environmental problems. There is a critical argument nowadays about the question of appropriate connection between the spiritual and secular aspects of religious architecture in Muslim societies. On one side of the debate are those who would limit the vocabulary used for a range of easily recognizable, traditional forms. On the other are those who believe that the only way to express the central role of the mosque in contemporary society is to rebel and utilize the full range of industrial materials and technology, in a search for a new architectural language, which sometimes leads to an international identity that cancels local identities. Yet, the main purpose of the mosque was to serve and reflect its community and local context, which has started to vanish now as a result of globalization. Due to globalization, many factors have affected the image of Doha, therefore, the local identity starts to get lost during this rapid urbanization. The intention of this paper is to focus on the fereej, or the neighborhood mosque in Doha, and how mosques’ design had significant implications on the development of the community. Thus, social functions in neighborhood mosques are crucial issue that cannot be undermined, however, communal value and identity of the Qatari neighborhood mosques has started to vanish. The purpose of this study is to investigate possible approaches to sustain the social, cultural and environmental aspects of the neighborhood mosque in Qatar.