Dar al Islam Architectural Tour in Abiquiu: Exploring Hassan Fathy’s Adobe Masterpiece

Nestled in the dramatic desert landscape of Abiquiu, New Mexico, the Dar al Islam complex stands as one of the most remarkable architectural and spiritual sites in the American Southwest. Designed by world-renowned Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy, the adobe mosque and educational buildings represent a rare fusion of Islamic architectural heritage and New Mexican earthen building traditions.

This October, the Historic Santa Fe Foundation (HSFF) is offering visitors an opportunity to explore this extraordinary space through a guided architectural tour led by Rafaat Ludin of Dar al Islam. The program is held in conjunction with the exhibition Earth, Form & Memory: A Dialogue Across Cultures at El Zaguán, curated by Jacob Sisneros and Mulham Alkharboutli. Together, the tour and exhibition highlight the centuries-long relationship between Middle Eastern and Southwestern adobe traditions.

Hassan Fathy’s Vision: Architecture Rooted in Earth, Community, and Culture

Dar al Islam’s structures are among the only large-scale examples of Hassan Fathy’s architecture in the Western Hemisphere. A pioneer of sustainable, community-based design, Fathy championed traditional materials and construction methods—especially adobe—long before they became cornerstones of contemporary ecological architecture.

At Abiquiu, Fathy saw a landscape that echoed the desert environments of the Middle East. The project allowed him to explore themes central to his philosophy:

• Earthen architecture as a cultural bridge

• Human-scale spaces shaped by local materials

• Buildings that nurture community, spirituality, and memory

The result is a sweeping architectural complex where domes, vaults, courtyards, and thick adobe walls harmonize with New Mexico’s high-desert light. The site is both strikingly foreign and profoundly rooted in its surroundings—a place where Islamic aesthetics meet the timeless traditions of the Southwest.

Dar al Islam: A Center for Learning, Reflection, and Community

Founded in 1979, Dar al Islam was envisioned as an intentional Muslim community grounded in spirituality, education, and sustainable living. Over the decades, it evolved into a center for learning and dialogue, welcoming Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Today, Dar al Islam offers:

• Retreats for spiritual renewal

• Leadership and educational programs

• School visits and interfaith learning

• Community gatherings and land-based contemplative events

Its mosque and campus remain among the most serene and culturally significant Islamic sites in North America.

Plaza Blanca: Geological Beauty Meets Spiritual Imagination

Located on the Dar al Islam property, Plaza Blanca—the “White Place”—is one of the region’s most iconic natural wonders. Its pale rock formations, carved by centuries of wind and water, have inspired artists, hikers, and spiritual seekers for generations.

As part of the tour, visitors can experience this breathtaking landscape, often described as otherworldly. For many, Plaza Blanca deepens the connection between the architectural beauty of Dar al Islam and the sacredness of the natural environment.

A Day of Art, Architecture, and Cultural Dialogue

Participants in the HSFF tour will begin the day at El Zaguán with a guided experience of the exhibition Earth, Form & Memory: A Dialogue Across Cultures. The show examines the journey of earthen architecture from the Middle East to New Mexico, exploring how adobe carries memory, identity, and ecological wisdom across continents.

From there, guests will travel to Abiquiu, where they will enjoy:

• A guided tour of the mosque and campus

• Time for lunch on-site

• Opportunities for reflection amid the desert landscape

• Engagement with experts in Islamic architecture and earthen building traditions

The tour is designed to immerse participants in both the artistic and spiritual dimensions of Dar al Islam.

A Meeting Point of Cultures, Architecture, and Place

Dar al Islam represents a rare convergence: a Middle Eastern architectural tradition re-imagined on New Mexican soil. This tour offers one of the most thoughtful ways to understand the shared histories of earthen building, cultural exchange, and spiritual practice that connect the Islamic world with the American Southwest.

Whether for architects, historians, artists, or spiritual explorers, the experience provides a profound look at how earth, form, and memory continue to shape communities across time and geography.