Hossein Khoshnevis: Hidden Mosques in Secular Societies

The formation & characteristics of Islamic spiritual spaces in the profane buildings of Vienna

Der Fachbereich Baugeschichte::Bauforschung der Technischen Universität Wien und das IVA – Institut für Vergleichende Architekturforschung laden ein:

VORTRAG :

     Hossein Khoshnevis:

     HIDDEN MOSQUES IN SECULAR SOCIETIES

     THE FORMATION & CHARACTERISTICS OF ISLAMIC SPIRITUAL SPACES 
     IN THE PROFANE BUILDINGS OF VIENNA

Regarding the Law on Islam and the constitution law devoting equal rights to Muslims as other religions, Austria has been considered a unique location for the Muslim Immigrants in Europe. However, the tedious problematic issues on the visibility of religious structures and practicing Islam outwardly have never been settled. This condition has forced the Muslim community to fulfill their spiritual desires by implementing a new approach to their religious structures. This research is an empirical approach to the formation of Hidden mosques created by the Muslim community. It highlights the characteristics of space and their similarity to the primary mosques constructed in the early ages of Islam. It demonstrates the growth and expansion of interior spiritual spaces concealed in profane buildings all around the city of Vienna.

Hossein Khoshnevis born in Tehran; Iran, grew up in an artistic family, acquainted with art & architecture. Spending his early years in Sydney;Australia, he moved back to Iran where he received his Bachelor Degree in Architecture at Art & Architecture AZAD University in 2008. He continued his studies in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano University in Italy where he gained a Master Degree in Architectural Engineering in 2011. In 2012 he started his PhD studies in Architecture at Vienna University of Technology in Austria where he’s now researching on the characteristics of spiritual spaces in modern societies.