Summary Each major Mislim dynasty built mosques in a typical style and choice of materials, often reflecting rich cross-fertilization with converted cultures. The original OMmayad caliphs rivaled the splendor of Byzantine churches, their surviving offshoot in Cordoba created its own Abdalusian variation, whose splendid Mequita forest of pillars impressed Recionquistadores enough to spare it, only build a cathedral inside. The Abbassids went for sober. The Turkish Ottomans complied elements from the largely conquered Byzantine empire, culminating in Suleyman the Magnificent's architect Sinan's Istanbul mosques. The rival Shiite branch's Persian champion dynasty's champion Shah Abbas erected a rivaling new capital at Isfahan, focused on harmony with nature. The Turkic Moghol dynasty which ruled most of India adopted splendid Hindustani traditions, culminating in Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal mausoleum and Red Mosque, still the focus of Indian Islam.

• Documentary