SHEIKHA
Moza Bint Mohammed Quran and Daa'wa Center
Sheikha Moza Bint Mohammed Quran And Da’awa Center is an Islamic education center located in Doha, Qatar which is dedicated to teaching Quran (Islamic holy book) and Islamic preaching for women. Center is planned to be one of the largest Islamic education centers in the MENA region.
The new building is considered as a revival of the previous center that was located in the same Land, where old building was demolished due to the expansion of the infrastructure within the City.
Design is proposed as contemporary building with aim to reflect understanding and respect to the local culture it’s built in. We aimed to create a Building which will emphasize and recognize Islam as religion that has been supporting and empowering woman though the ages by encouraging them to develop and continuously educate, as a key of the Society for creating educated generations.
Architectural concept was influenced by a delicate flower of native Sidra tree which has a spiritual value as it was mentioned in multiple places in the holy Quran - as a reward for believers.
The center’s geometry was inspired by the flower petals of Sidra tree. The building evolved in a pentagon shape, following perfect geometry of the flower. Pentagon shape was utilized further to resemble 5 points presenting 5 pillars of Islam as well as 5 times of Pray.
The center thus incorporates several concepts that were featured in Islamic architecture like Central court yards & Mashrabiya to promote sustainable environmental design while maintaining women’s privacy. Beautiful court garden serves as informal teaching space and place for gathering. Garden outline is covered by building massing that acts as a shade, thus creating comfortable environment for the users.
The center gains its symbolic value from its function, location and future use which is reflected through building’s envelope to everyone observing the building.
The façade is carefully thought to evoke the building’s purpose and core function. This is achieved by inscribing two Qur’anic verses in main elevations sending eternal message to the public and the users:
- Iqra [Read: In the Name of your Lord who created] the first verse of Quran, a message for the prophet [PBUH] to read the Quran and learn it’s teachings, is placed to resonate eternal message to people to read and learn Quran
- Ede’ [Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and good advice ] is second verse directed towards the centers visitors, teachers and staff on the façade corresponding to the main entrance plaza inviting people to spread GOD’s message in the best possible way.
The center is composed of 4 levels accommodating for different functions, where Basement, Ground & First floor can be directly accessed from the road level.
Basement accommodates an underground parking as well as the recreational club zone, Ground floor accommodates multipurpose hall, administration and receptions while Two upper floors accommodate educational facilities.
The idea.
The center gains its symbolic value from its function, location and future use which is reflected through building’s envelope to everyone observing the building.
Inspiration.
Architectural concept was influenced by a delicate flower of native Sidra tree which has a spiritual value as it was mentioned in multiple places in the holy Quran - as a reward for believers.
