A Systematic Review on Arabic Calligraphy within Islamic Architecture

Abstract

Islamic architecture is distinguished by the formulation in various forms and artistic models of the Arabic calligraphy style. Arabic inscriptions are found in several areas of Islamic architecture both in the external elements as well as in the building's internal elements. The art of calligraphy as describing the building has many impacts to improve the different roles that this art offers. This art often has a symbolic significance according to the structure. This study aims to explore existing research into the use of the art of calligraphy as an important component of Islamic architecture. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) as lead to direct this systematic review and 14 related studies have recognized and selected from databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions. This paper helps to provide some sources of information that can be used by people who would like to understand and study Islamic calligraphy and Islamic art. Two research questions applied in this review to obtain themes within the data, and two significant themes arose, namely art in Islam and forms of art. The analysis of two main themes further presented a result of five sub-themes that emerged from forms of art and six sub-themes that developed from the types of khat themes.