The element of pattern dominates art and architecture in the Islamic world.
It often includes sacred writings and appears on public buildings such as Mosques ( places of worship), colleges and palaces. The perfect form of letters in arabic writing is highly prized. (The Quran is written in arabic). Unlike our writing it is the perfect shape of the letters and words that mean and say as much about the purity of the religion and life of the Muslims as the words themselves. This idea of writing is known as CALLIGRAPHY = ' the art of beautiful writing'.

Photograph of a Mosque

There are two types of Arabic Script used : -

KUFIC - which is the earlier 'angular' style.

NESKHI - which is a later and more flowing
style.

The patterns used in Islamic Art are often very complicated. The Arabs were fine mathematicians and their technology was quite advanced. Their interest in maths and its structures can be seen clearly in their designs which are
interwoven, geometric and tessellated.