about me
Moaaz Lafi is a master’s candidate at the American University in Cairo and an emerging scholar in the field of Islamic architectural history. His academic journey began with a BA in Islamic archaeology at Cairo University, followed by hands-on research in the historic districts of Cairo. He received the Barakat Trust Fellowship and a research grant from the Egypt Exploration Society in London, through which he documented the dome of Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil.
His research focuses on urban history, Islamic law, and intellectual traditions in the Islamic world. He is especially interested in challenging the dominant narratives surrounding the so-called “Islamic city,” and in examining how legal and historical texts shaped understandings of urban space.
Moaaz is currently completing his master’s thesis and working on a book project that investigates representations of the city in pre-modern Islamic thought. Alongside his work on Mamluk Cairo, he also explores the evolution of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, while drawing comparative insights from regions such as Iran, Anatolia, and al-Andalus.
research Interests
Mamluk Urban and Architectural History
My primary research focuses on the urban and architectural history of Cairo during the Mamluk period (1250–1517). I am particularly interested in how architecture intersected with power, law, and public space during the reign of Sultan Qaitbay. My work draws on historical chronicles, waqf documents, and architectural surveys to better understand the relationship between built form and political culture.
Islamic Art and Orientalism
I explore how Islamic architecture has been represented in the writings and visual materials of 19th-century European travelers and Orientalists. This includes analyzing sketches, paintings, and texts that shaped modern perceptions of Islamic heritage, especially in Egypt and the Levant.
Comparative Islamic Architecture
I maintain a strong interest in the architectural traditions of Al-Andalus, the Seljuks, and the Safavids. Through comparative studies, I seek to identify broader patterns in Islamic urbanism and aesthetics across regions, while remaining attentive to local specificities and historical contexts.