§16§So many books have been written and so much ink has been spilled on the Muslim and Western enmity by medieval and modern writers alike. There existed many instances of coexistence and cooperation, shared human values, trade exchanges, and mutual cultural penetration. These were either deliberately concealed or mistakenly ignored. The present book gives a ground-breaking account of such co-existence. It provides unique perspectives on Muslim-European cultural encounters, and architectural and artistic exchanges. The work is dedicated to the contribution of Muslim architecture to many aspects of European architecture, particularly during the medieval period. Based on the historical research and image evidence, the analysis focuses on Muslim influence, tracing the origins of Muslim motifs -employed in the West (Europe)-, the routes by which such motifs were transferred, and provide the evidence were possible. The book should provide a new insight to historians, architects, academics, §16§ politicians and the general public in both the West and lands of Islam to understand and appreciate each other to achieve a well-deserved reconciliation and live in a lasting peace.
