Short-Term Mosques Load Forecast Using Machine Learning and Meteorological Data

The tendency toward achieving more sustainable and green buildings turned several passive buildings into more dynamic ones.Mosques are the type of buildings that have a unique energy usage pattern.Nevertheless,these types of buildings have minimal consideration in the ongoing energy efficiency applications.This is due to the unpredictability in the electrical consumption of the mosques affecting the stability of the distribution networks.Therefore,this study addresses this issue by developing a framework for a short-term electricity load forecast for a mosque load located in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.In this study,and by harvesting the load consumption of the mosque and meteorological datasets,the performance of four forecasting algorithms is investigated,namely Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Regression(SVR)based on three kernel functions:Radial Basis(RB),Polynomial,and Linear.In addition,this research work examines the impact of 13 different combinations of input attributes since selecting the optimal features has a major influence on yielding precise forecasting outcomes.For the mosque load,the(SVR-RB)with eleven features appeared to be the best forecasting model with the lowest forecasting errors metrics giving RMSE,nRMSE,MAE,and nMAE values of 4.207 kW,2.522%,2.938 kW,and 1.761%,respectively.

Evaluation analysis of space elements of the mosque's inner courtyard in Nanjing City from the Arab users' view

In order to promote the development of the relationship between China and the Islamic world and meet the cultural needs of Muslims when using mosques in China, this study focuses on the design of mosques in a multi-cultural context. Mosques are an integral part of the China and the Muslims’ society due to their unique style and features. The courtyard is a common element in the design of mosques, and its components vary depending on regional traditions of the time and place where it was built. With the growth of interest in the term of human needs and participation between designer and users in evaluating the design quality, this study summarizes the modern and traditional Chinese mosque courtyard design for Arabian Muslim users in order to evaluate whether their physical and spiritual needs are being appropriately met or not. A questionnaire was distributed to Arab Muslims living in the city of Nanjing to discuss the quality evaluation of traditional and modern mosques’ courtyard design. Through the analysis of seven natural and physical key issue elements in the design of the courtyard, the functional characteristics and configurations are analyzed. The results can be used to improve the design of the new mosque in future by using the vocabulary that accomplishes the architectural fusion of both Chinese and Islamic culture, as well as aesthetic and functional aspects.

An Introduction to Architecture of Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

In analazying the form in architectural monuments or in a more comprehensive way, study of the monuments itself is one of the most fundamental and most important aspects of architecture that has several benefits and effects. One of the benefits of recognizing the shape of different building architecture is the categorization of architecture into different historical periods that can help us better understand the process of historical architectural developments in the past. Among the architectural monuments of Iran, Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz which is a Qajar Mosque is one of the most important Mosques in Shiraz which is less focused in the previous studies. This article, which is mainly based on empirical research and field studies, was conducted for studying the architecture of the mosque and analyzing and explaining the most important architectural features of this monument. The main questions of this article are the following: 1) What are the most basic architectural features of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque and how different parts are organized and built next to each other? 2) What choices and opting out of the architectural design of the building have been carried out? To find the best answers to these questions, first we analyzed the structure and overall fitness of the Mosque and its characteristics had been enumerated. Then, we introduced and analyze the main sectors that make up the corpus such as the mosque entrance, courtyard, naves and porches, in which the form and structure of each of these sectors as well as their consort with each other in shaping the overall architecture of the mosque, are analyzed and discussed. The summary of the findings in the form of empirical statements is presented at the end of the article.

The Impact of Geometrical Structure of Domes on the Acoustic Performance within Mosques

Mosques are considered as one of the most significant architectures for Muslim,where they have evolved to attain the Islamic requirements.Various worship activities are done within these public architectures and these activities required various acoustical needs.The geometry of mosques and their ceiling is largely impacted on the acoustical characteristics.The domes are the most shape that utilized to construct the mosque ceiling.The geometric architecture of the domes represents one of the key factors that impact on the performance of acoustics within the mosque.Thus,this paper aims to determine the impact of geometric architecture of domes on the quality of acoustical characteristics within the mosque.The mosque of King Abullah has been selected as a case study to address this issue.Further,many mosques have been studied from the literature to determine the impact of the geometrical structure of the domes on the acoustic characteristics and speech intelligibility.Many parameters have been utilized to measure the acoustical performance like RT,clarity,dome volume,dome shape,dome height and the material utilized to cover the dome surfaces.Based on the studies within the literature and the case study within this paper,the impact of the geometrical structure of the domes has been determined,also the impact of these parameters on the sound quality within the mosque has been determined at the end of this paper.

Evaluating the Role of Internal Factors in the Damage and the Methods of Treatment of the Limestone of Emir Hasan Mosque in Akhmim, Sohag, Egypt

The present paper examines the deterioration of the limestone of Emir Hasan Mosque as a result of internal damage factors. Tests were done and carried to determine the rate of damage to the limestone that was used in the past in Egypt. Chemical analyses were done to identify soluble salts. The study utilized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope equipped with EDS unit, and X-ray diffraction analysis to identify the main causes of increased limestone damage rates because of being affected by internal destructive factors. The study discussed different ways to conserve separate parts through the use of one consolidated material through the study of changes to limestone during the period of treatment to determine the appropriate treatment methods.

Strengthening and Restoration of Historical Structures Mirahor Ilyas Beg Mosque in Korca

The Mirahor Ilyas Beg Mosque, built in 1496 in Korea, is one of a few Ottoman mosques still existing in Albania and the only Ottoman monument in the city. The mosque was built using cut stone and brick. It has a strong image a cubic mass rising over a square plan. Inside there are found pictures of the mosque in the past and different famous mosques. During its existence, it was damaged from many earthquakes occurring at this area. Due to amortization, the mosque＇s structural properties were weakened and architectural values were dimmed. Proper strengthening methods need to be applied, not only to improve structural conditions, but also to preserve architectural features of the mosque. In this paper assessment of existing conditions of the structure is carried out Based on the obtained results, solutions for the structural problems are investigated. As for restoration, the repair methods to be applied were examined taking into consideration at what extent the historical values of the building will be preserved. The proposed strengthening methods are the ones which would affect the least the mosque＇s historical values.

Analysis of Site Suitability of Mosques Locations Using GIS: A Case Study of Khartoum State

The distribution of mosques needs to be assessed to help authorities to choose the appropriate location for the new mosques proposals, or to extend the existing mosques, the distribution and capacity of mosques is a serious problem in Islamic towns. This research aimed at finding appropriate planning standards, selection criteria for mosques locations and capacity by studying the current locations, distributions and capacities of the existing mosques. An aerial photograph was used as a source of spatial data. The distinctive orientation of the mosques to Gibla (Mecca holy mosque direction) facilitated their identification among other buildings. A layer of mosques was created in GIS. Each mosque area was calculated from the layer and saved in the attribute table. The actual capacity of each mosque (number of worshipers) was calculated by dividing the mosque area by 1 square meter. A buffer tool was applied, depending on the optimal distance for worshipers to access the mosques;the houses within the buffer area of each mosque were calculated to estimate the expected maximum number of worshipers for Friday prayer. The actual capacities of mosques were compared to the expected population. The results indicated that some mosques were found to be suitable;some needed to be extended within the existing location, while others could not be extended within the existing location and a new location must be determined for a new mosque within the buffer area to accommodate the expected number of worshipers.

The Air Pollution Concern within the Holy Prophet Mosque in AI.Madianh AI-Munawarah

Using air pollution detecting equipments ITX, ATX620 and IBRID-MX6 Multi gas monitors a pioneer research was carried out to assess the levels of the exhausted gas emission in double-floored car parks of the Holy Prophet Mosque in Al-Madinah A l-Munawarah from early 12：00 to 14：00 of Friday and from 19：00 to 22：30 at holy month, Ramadan. The percentage of both carbon monoxide （CO） and nitrogen dioxide （NO2） had significantly increased （p 〈 0.05-0.005）. The peak levels of these air pollutants were between 13：15-13：20 during Fridays. The increase in the emission of these exhausted gases was concomitant with the significant decrease （p 〈 0.05） in oxygen （02） levels but the latter recovered its levels after 13：20 hours. The arithmetic total mean density of vehicle per minute （vpm） at Salam Road, the busiest road of Al-Madinah, during hours （07：00-09：00）, （13：00-15：00） and （17：00-19：00） of both Friday and Saturdays respectively were （8/45, 16/40 and 36/43）. The increase in air pollution has been attributed to a dramatic increase in number of public cars use the car parks during these times, the consequent congestion at entries, the excess or/and poor consumption of fuels being utilized and the inadequate ventilation.

Examination and Conservation of Helal El-Beah Mosque, Dakahlia, Egypt

Helal El-Beah mosque in Egypt was built from many different materials as sandstone, bricks and marble. These building materials were in a bad condition due to many degradation factors, mainly ground water and salt weathering, so many deterioration phenomena were appeared as horizontal and vertical cracks, salts, loss of the Islamic decorations in the fa?ade and mihrab (Prayer niche), detachment of the plaster, biological colonization and featured dark of the stone surface. Prior to the conservation intervention, the building materials were characterized to identify their components. Scientific conservation treatment was carried out for the long-term conservation of the mosque. Conservation operations at the mosque included: repairing and roof insulation, wet and dry cleaning, joining of cracked parts and surface consolidating, replacement of the Portland cement plaster with lime plaster, re-cladding the lower part of the interior brick walls with sandstone tiles, replacement and completion of the stone blocks.

Tranquil Niujie Mosque

BEIJING visitors or residents looking to spend down time in a tranquil setting can opt for the Niujie Mosque and its surrounds -a charming and often overlooked part of the capital. Niujie is the name of the street where the mosque is located,a name literally meaning Ox Street.The millennium mosque dates back to 996 and is the oldest and at 6,000 square meters,the largest of all the mosques in Beijing.The spacious prayer hall can easily accommodatel,000

Ancient Mosques IN the Home of Tibetan Buddhism

Although Tibetan Buddhism (also known as Lamaism) is both well known and widespread throughout Tibetan inhabited areas,it coexists there along with vernacular Bon religion and folk religion.What may be forgotten is that both Islam and Catholicism are popular in some specific locations in Tibet.

Improving thermal comfort in mosques of hot-humid climates through passive and lowenergy design strategies

Mosques have intermittent operational schedules with short-term occupancy during the five daily prayers.The occupancy level of the daily prayers is a fraction compared to the mandatory Friday prayers with full occupancy.Usually,the same thermal control mechanism is operated within the same large prayer hall to maintain the thermal comfort of the occupants.Yet,the comfort requirements are often not met due to the short span of operation during prayer times.Nevertheless,mosques have a very high energy usage as the same energyintensive system is operated even during minimal occupancy profiles.The current research aims at using a passive approach towards design to achieve the comfort conditions during the low occupancy daily prayer times without employing mechanical intervention.Numerical simulations are carried out on a validated model of the case study building to investigate the impact of the west-facing Qiblah wall as the congregation stands in proximity to this wall.The design alternatives are tested in conjunction with ventilation strategies to holistically assess the thermal comfort of the occupants.Results show that as much as 4-6℃reduction in indoor wall surface temperature can be achieved with a suitable Qiblah wall design,which reduces the mean radiant temperature of the occupants by 2-4℃.Combined with ventilation strategies,thermal comfort can be significantly improved by at least 40%for the prayers during the hottest times of the day,and as much as 80%for night-time prayers.Results suggest that suitable comfort conditions can be achieved without the need for air-conditioning for at least two or three of the five daily prayers.

The place of the Great Mosque of Tlemcen:the paradox between patrimonialisation and appropriation

The Great Mosque of Tlemcen is a unique case,as it is one of the few mosques dating back to the Almoravid period that is almost intact.It has evolved in a constantly changing space and now has a conjoined public square,following an occidental configuration,which is quite rare.The size of this square suggests that it could be put to use as an additional vector for the valorisation of the mosque,but the current situation is different.This added space,introduced by occidental culture,creates a dual architectural language with several other buildings that mark all the layers of evolution in the urban fabric.Apart from its religious function,this mosque used to play the role of a covered public square,a role that has eroded over time.The aim of this research is to analyse the relationship between the building and its surroundings,as well as the population’s perception of this relationship.Additionally,the research is intended to highlight changes in the perception of the Great Mosque of Tlemcen’s public square over time,depending on historical,political,and social contexts.This research relies on an approach that combines different methods,including a thorough analysis of historical,cartographic,and legislative documents.Through this approach,we were able to conduct a comparative analysis with other similar cases.Finally,field research allowed us to understand the relationship between space and society.Despite the legal recognition of the surroundings as a historical monument,this status is not widely perceived and integrated into the population’s sense of heritage space.This is reflected in private and even public actions,despite the instrumentalisation of this heritage status,with appropriations of protected space that occur outside of regulations and become part of the landscape expression of the building in its environment.

Physical features and analysis of traditional mosques:the case of Quzzat quarter of Herat Old City,Afghanistan

This study examines the physical features of traditional mosques in the Quzzat(Bardrani)quarter of Herat Old City,Afghanistan.Traditional mosques are constructed with locally available materials and are planned based on cultural and climatic conditions.Mosques are categorised as modern or traditional.Traditional mosques are divided into three subcategories:preserved,damaged(defaced),and transformed.Transformed mosques are formerly traditional mosques reconstructed with modern or industrial materials(concrete and reinforcement).This study explores the distribution of mosques and analyses their plan typology.Mosques are categorised into five plan types,and three relative case studies are described in detail to provide a better understanding and an in-depth analysis of mosque typology.

Mosque layout desisn： An analytical study of mosque layouts in the early Ottoman period

This study attempts to quantify the influence of spatial configuration on the functional efficiency of mosque layouts in the early Ottoman period. The literature review consists of two parts. The first part is a theoretical study of the relationship between spatial configuration and functional efficiency of mosque layouts. This part highlights the key syntactical characteristics and effect of spatial configuration on the level of functional efficiency using space syntax theory. The second part is an analytical comparative description of the changes and transfor- mations in the configurations of mosque layouts. The architectural styles are classified into six types based on layout designs. The main benchmarks and indicators involved in measuring the functional efficiency of mosque layouts are analyzed using the A-graph 2009 software program, which provides numerical results. This analysis compares entire samples of mosque layout designs for each category. The numerical results indicate the effect of spatial configurations and the functions of mosque layouts. This study shows that mosques with courtyard layouts are accessible, efficient, and flexible in terms of function because of their distinct syntactical and morphological spatial structures.

Spatial and social interaction in medieval Algerian mosques: a morphological analysis using space syntax

Medieval mosques in Algeria represent an important architectural heritage that deserves to be identifed,studied and preserved.Considering the period spanning the 7th to 15th centuries,this study investigated medieval mosques in Algeria,spatially and socially,to identify the architectural genotype and to establish whether such mosques present the same topological model that governs their spatial properties.This study adopted a new approach to spatial analysis of mosques that could be applied to improve understanding of other religious buildings.Space syntax as an architectural analysis tool can be used as a qualitative method for drawing justifed graphs and comparing them visually and quantitatively,calculating syntactic measures and integrating visibility graph analysis to identify spatial types,reveal architectural genotypes and explain social logic.The fndings demonstrate how space syntax with topological analysis and syntactic measures could be used to provide new understanding for architects,students and all those interested in heritage,architecture and design,by uncovering hidden structures and revealing the social logic embodied in the spatial confgurations of mosques.

Analyses and architectural typology of preserved traditional mosques in the old city of Herat in Afghanistan:the case of Quzzat Quarter

The study aims to analyse the architectural typology and determine the period of construction for the preserved traditional mosques of the Quzzat Quarter in the Old City of Herat(known as the Pearl of Khorasan).Twenty-nine mosques are located in the area,three of which are modern and 26 are traditional.Twelve out of the 26 traditional mosques still exist and have preserved their traditional landscape.Using analogy to analyse water cisterns and mosques,we determine when each mosque was developed and establish the period of development for each structure.Further analyses are carried out on the edifces’architectural details.Architectural analyses and mosque typologies suggest that fve buildings were built before the Timurid dynasty;two were built during the Timurid dynasty(1370−1507 CE);and one was built after the Timurid dynasty.Two mosques incorporating elements from diferent periods are counted as exceptions,and the remaining two are considered to have been built during transitional periods.

Study of the ornamentation of Bhong Mosque for the survival of decorative patterns in Islamic architecture

Islamic architecture is rich in decorative patterns. Mosques were constructed in the past as simple buildings for offering prayers five times a day. However, in subsequent periods, various features of ornamentation in the form of geometry and arabesque were applied to the surfaces of mosques to portray paradise symbolically. This research applied descriptive approaches to examine the surviving patterns of the Aga-Khan-awarded Bhong Mosque and categorized these patterns as geometric and arabesque. This categorization was achieved by photography, use of software for patterns, and conducting interviews with local elderly persons in the region. The geometric patterns were simple 6- and 8-point star patterns. Several of the eartiest examples of rosette petals exhibited 8- and 10-point star patterns and were categorized by incorporating the geometric style and location of mosques. This research investigated different arabesque categories and inscription types and determined the aesthetic and cultural reasons for their placement on various surfaces. Frescoes had different types of flowers, fruits, and leaves, and a few of them belonged to the local region.

Effect of urban transformation on the values of historic sites around mosques:Two cases in Manisa,Turkey

This study presents a framework for assessing the cultural asset values of historic sites around mosques.Case studies are selected from provinces of Manisa,Turkey,namely,Carsi in Salihli with its new urban development and Pazaryeri in Gordes that is abandoned and currently considered as an archaeological site.Literature review,archive research,historical research,comparative study,and site survey are carried out to evaluate the urban development of site neighborhoods with a retrospective perspective.An approach presenting the effects of urban transformations on the cultural asset values of the historic neighborhood centers is proposed.The cases reveal that the urban aesthetic is nearly all lost today,but the holiness of each site preserves its authenticity while the historic land use is sustained.Their preservation problems are lack of maintenance and abandonment due to disasters,illegal interve ntions,in appropriate development plans,and unsuitable restoration approaches.The principles proposed for managing these historic environments consider their cultural asset values in relation to urban history,development of coherent strategies for their presentation,and participation of all actors to their preservation and development.

A parametric investigation of the acoustical performance of contemporary mosques

Acoustics is an important factor in mosque prayer halls that had not been given extensive concern during the architectural design stages. Eventually, the importance of speech intelligibility became more important, given the integration of other activities into the prayer halls, such as the holy Quran recitation, speeches, and lectures. Early attempts have been made to control the propagation of sound and to maintain good acoustic quality within the prayer spaces. Architects during the conceptual design stage had barely paid attention to the design issues that affect the acoustic environment inside the prayer zones, which is either due to lack of time during the project development or, in most cases, a lack of simple design guidelines to overcome any drastic acoustical defects arising from the incorrect design, shape, or material selection. The basic guidelines for designers to select the appropriate shape, geometry, size, and finishing materials are an essential design tool. This work examines the three common design topologies of mosques, which differ in size, shape, and finishing materials. In this study, a geometric and material parametric analysis was conducted based on the shape, surface area, volume, and finishing materials of each of the three designs. For the geometric acoustics, a computer model employing the ray tracing theory was employed to investigate the three configurations. Different acoustic treatments were tested relative to the geometric disposition of each design. Finally, basic recommendations and design guidelines were presented.