Table 3 Research papers on soundscape in Islamic historical buildings

Sü Gül et al., 2013 [40]

Sound/Turkey

Dog˘ramacızade Ali Pasa Mosque

Acoustical design; acoustical measurements; computer simulation

The main prayer hall of Dog˘ramacızade Ali Pasa Mosque is a well-designed, modestly sized dome structure with appropriate absorptive and reflective interior finish materials and a strong outer shell, all creating a significantly more comfortable and acoustically superior interior environment.

Jafari et al., 2016 [85]

Perception of sound/Iran

/

Survey

The recitation of the Qur 'an and religious music has a positive impact on physical and mental health.

Kavraz, 2016 [94]

Sound field/Turkey

Mosque prayer hall

Simulate objective parameter values of sound

The results showed that the fullness of the prayer hall in the mosque and types of materials on surfaces could affect the objective parameter values of sound especially at low frequencies.

Suárez et al., 2018 [41]

Sound field/Spain

The Mosque of Cordoba

Virtual sound reconstruction

The increase in area and, consequently, in the volume of the temple, has generated significant deterioration of the acoustic conditions.

Ali et al., 2020 [82]

Perception of sound/Saudi Arabia

The Grand Mosque of Mecca

Survey and comparative method

The findings highlight the continued usefulness of domains for the contemporary study of research into the language of religion and for the study of broader semiotic assemblages present in the linguistic landscape.

Elkhateeb et al., 2021 [87]

Sound field/Egypt

Iwan-type masjids

Acoustic survey

All the masjids studied had an introverted design; thus, their contact with the external environment was restricted either to small, deep windows, or bent entrances.

Kitapci et al., 2021 [43]

Sound field/Turkey

The Aslanhane Mosque

Acoustic simulation; subjective evaluation

Although the Aslanhane mosque’s subjective rating for speech intelligibility is “good,” the overall low volume of the mosque and the lack of surface refections decrease the sensation of sacredness.

Sukaj et al., 2021 [93]

Sound/Albania

The Ottoman Mosques

Acoustic measurements

The acoustic characteristics of two mosques in Albania are analysed. These buildings have a squared plan layout surmounted by a dome at the centre of the space. The values of T₃₀ are 2.0 s and 2.3 s, and both values of STI are 0.5.

Sü Gül, 2021 [79]

Sound field/Turkey

Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

Acoustic measurement; acoustic modelling; simulation and analysis

Among the many variables, the source-receiver distance and positioning within different sub-spaces appear to be the underlying determinant of multislope sound decay pattern.

Conference paper

 Abdullah et al., 2013 [42]

Sound field/Malaysia

Masjid UPM\Masjid Jamek

Build a prediction model

The results of the analysis show that the overall acoustic and speech quality of Masjid Jamek is better when compared to the overall acoustic and speech quality of Masjid UPM. These results are then used to develop a set of design recommendations to ensure adequate speech intelligibility quality a mosque.

 Othman et al., 2016 [44]

Sound/Malaysia

The Masjid Al-Hussain

Survey and comparative method

There is a correlation between the acoustic designs of the mosque and the worshipers’ comfort.

 Prawirasasra et al., 2017 [45]

Perception of sound/Indonesia

Syamsul Ulum Mosque

Analysis and measurement

The hall at Michigan State University is not acoustically comfortable enough to hold worship services.

 Syamsiyah et al., 2018 [81]

Sound field/Indonesia

The Grand Mosque of Yogyakarta

Acoustic measurements

Background noise can be overcome with the gurgling sound of water in the pond in front of the mosque that can put hearts at ease so that noises from screaming children and passing motorcycles can be minimized.

 Sukaj et al., 2021 [39]

Sound field/Albania

Ottoman mosques

Acoustic measurements

After comparing the acoustics of these two mosques, some solutions to improve the acoustics are suggested.