5: Islamic visual and material culture

words of God in Qur'an held in high esteem as is exquisite hand writing in which it is recorded......Calligraphy has special place in Islamic culture. such scripts incorporated into decoration of buildings including mosques where Muslims pray. Calligraphy also used to decorate items. suggested that calligraphy developed due to restrictions of pictorial representation of people and animals. only problem relates to "shirk" (Idolatry)...forbidden to associate something with God or represent him. Historical Islamic arts depict religious observance, daily life, material culture, dress etc. strong and vibrant art traditions. even in areas where representational art is restricted...photography is accepted. (art recording the human form may be regarded as created, and thus shirk). have been many depictions of Qur'anic events and figures....yet many sensitivities surround it....difference in practicing and studying religion is highlighted as a result. Muhammad is not God....thus no danger of Idolatry.....historic art has produced such pictures.....though some view this as blasphemous. scholar has duty to demonstrate internal diversities and show changes in tradition.

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