ABSTRACT
Islamic Architecture and the West The influence of Islamic architecture on Europe is part of a long history of interactions that significantly enriched the West in architecture, science, and mathematics. As Islam quickly spread across the Middle East and Africa in the sixth century, Muslim architects and builders embraced and absorbed late Classical and Christian architectural forms and structural techniques, adapting them for their own unique building needs. But to appreciate those distinctive building needs, it may be helpful to understand how Islam arose and expanded.
