F
uelled by her passion, Dr Harleny Abd Arif willingly invested her own resources to augment the existing funding for her research on the history of Islamic art, focusing on mosques in Turkiye.
The senior lecturer in the Department of Art and Design at the Faculty of Arts, Sustainability, and Creative Industries, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, dedicated nine months, starting in October 2023, to tracing the remnants of the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires through 40 mosques across Turkiye, a country that spans two continents.
During this period, Harleny, who was on a sabbatical leave, travelled extensively across Turkiye, beginning in Istanbul on the European continent, crossing the Bosphorus Strait to explore the Asian and European side of the country, and even venturing to Rhodes Island in Greece.
Researcher pose in front of the Bursa Ulu Camii mimbar in Bursa.
“My research centred on the mimbars and mihrabs in these mosques to identify the influence of the Seljuk and Ottoman eras on decorative carving art. The pinnacle of my field research was at the Divriği Camii (Great Mosque), built in 1288, located in the Sivas province," she shared with Bernama.
According to her, during her time there, she received excellent support from Muğla Sitki Kochman University (MSKU) and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation Centre for Islamic Studies (ISAM), which provided her access to all their facilities and resources to assist her research.
REMAINS INTACT
Sharing her research findings, Harleny noted that the carvings on the wooden mimbars and mihrabs not only possess aesthetic value but also reflect the lifestyles, mindsets, and cultural patterns of the civilisations during the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.
Interestingly, she said, the Turkish government places a high value on its heritage through various preservation and conservation projects aimed at safeguarding the remnants of former empires across the country.
Researchers take a picture at the Selimiye Camii's mimbar in Edirne.
“Consequently, all forms of artistic objects, particularly the carved mimbars from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, continue to thrive and can be appreciated by both locals and foreign tourists to this day," she said.
She said the exhaustion from several hours of bus rides, coupled with enduring temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius and braving snowstorms, vanished the moment she beheld the beauty of the decorative mimbars and mihrabs in mosques dating back to the 12th century.
“It was truly exhilarating to witness the beautiful treasures that have withstood the test of time," she said.
Over the course of nine months, Harleny travelled to several regions, including Edirne, Bursa, Izmir, Muğla, Konya, and Aksaray, and even crossed the Aegean Sea to Rhodes Island in Greece for comparative studies.
She also had the opportunity to visit the ancient city of Kaunos in Mugla, believed to be the burial place of the noble class of the Kaunos civilisation.
“There, I was able to explore the rock carvings on the hillsides, which are thought to have existed since the mid-4th century BCE," she shared.
STARTING IN ACEH
Reflecting on the start of her journey in the field, Harleny, who has 14 years of experience, noted that her initial research on Islamic art—specifically focusing on mimbars—was conducted in 2009, when she traced the mimbars from the era of Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607-1636) in Aceh, Indonesia.
She said the research lasted almost four years until 2012, during which she faced various challenges, including natural phenomena such as earthquakes, landslides, and mud floods.
The sculptural art of Divrigi Camii's mihrab space is so unique and eye-catching.
The research uncovered the connection between the Aceh Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire, highlighting the diplomatic relations that had been established since the reign of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah (1537-1568).
“That was my defining moment, as I resolved to continue my research in Turkiye to delve deeper into the Islamic civilisation there by studying the mimbars and mihrabs of mosques," she said.
Harleny said she chose to focus on mimbars and mihrabs because their decorative patterns reflect the sophistication and intelligence of the native culture.
Map of the traces of Seljuk era mosques and Ottoman Turks.
She added that her research aligns with the Strategic Framework of the Ministry of Higher Education, which outlines 20 aspirations aimed at enhancing the quality and excellence of the country's higher education system.
"In my view, this research resonates with the ninth aspiration, which emphasises nurturing values and fostering a culture of knowledge, discourse, learning, and scholarship. It adds significant value to the context of art education throughout my scholarly journey in this two-continent country," she said.
Harleny said her research findings will be compiled into a book, expected to be published next year, which will serve as a valuable reference for scholars, cultural activists, and the general public.
Translated by Salbiah Said
