Islamic Design on Ground Zero

Plans to build an Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero have stirred impassioned arguments, pro and con. But few people discuss the notion that the New York World Trade Center site incorporated Islamic design elements long before the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Japanese-American architect Minoru Yamasaki had worked with the Saudi royal family on several projects. Researchers say that Yamasaki borrowed ideas from the Muslim holy city of Mecca when he designed New York's World Trade Center Twin Towers. Islamic details included:

• Repeating pointed arches
• A vast courtyard isolated from the urban bustle
• Two enormous, perfectly square towers

Full Story:

• WTC Was Influenced by Islamic Architecture

More:

• About the New York World Trade Center
• The Ground Zero Mosque Issue
• Ground Zero "Mosque" to be 1st LEED-Certified Mosque in Country, from Inhabitat

_{Above: Aluminum and steel lattice formed the facade of the New York World Trade Center. This black and white photo was taken in 1982. Photo © Daniel Stein / iStockPhoto}