Aligarh: The Department of Architecture, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology at Aligarh Muslim University organized a national conference on the "Legacy of Islamic Architecture" with the objective to engage academicians and researchers in deliberations on the history and relevance of Islamic architecture.

In his presidential remarks at the inaugural session, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tariq Mansoor discussed the special features of Islamic architecture in different regions of the world like the Middle East, Turkey, Europe, Qatar and Spain. With the special mention of the Pari Mahal garden palace in Srinagar, he highlighted the contribution of Dara Shikoh in developing an Indian version of Islamic architecture.

The guests of honour, Prof. SM Akhtar, former Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and Prof. Jagbir Singh, Director of Amity School of Architecture congratulated the department for organizing the conference on an interesting theme.

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Mohammad Altamush Siddiqui also shared his views regarding the achievements of the faculty.

Prof. Mohd. Khalid Hassan explained the vision of the conference for systematic, scientific, and methodical discussions and exchange of information for understanding the features, forms and techniques of Islamic Architecture that developed in different parts of the world.

Convener of the programme, Prof. Sharmin Khan discussed the nuances of Islamic architecture underlining the theme, which stands beyond a mere representation of certain notional architectural features and elements.

A wide range of topics including the Ideology conflict regarding Islamic or Muslim Architecture, Islamic architecture and sustainability, Principles and elements of Islamic Architecture, contemporary Islamic Architecture and Construction techniques in Islamic architecture was discussed during the technical session of the conference and the participants presented their abstracts.

Prof. Mirza Salim Beg, Chairman of the NIRF Ranking Committee was the chief guest and Prof. IH Farooqui, Chairman, the Department of Civil Engineering was the guest of honour in the valedictory programme.

Best paper and best paper presentation awards were given under the research scholar and students categories, respectively.

Prof. Sharmin Khan extended a vote of thanks. A total number of fifty abstracts were accepted for publication in the conference proceedings, which were released by the guests.