Fort Bend County Libraries’ Cinco Ranch Branch Library will have an educational series focusing on “Ancient Empires” this spring. The next program in the series, “Ancient Empires: Islamic Art & Architecture,” will take place on Saturday, May 26, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm., in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd in Katy.
Former architecture professor Sheba Akhtar will talk about the influence of Islam on art and architecture throughout history. Learn about the first capital of the Muslim Empire in Medina. Hear about the establishment of the capital at Damascus by the Umayyads, the first Muslim dynasty (660-750), and the capital at Baghdad and the seat of learning by the Abbasid dynasty (750-1258). Akhtar will also talk about the conquest of Spain and India, the first crusade in 1096, and the defeat by the Mongols in 1258.
Akhtar received her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania and taught art and architecture history for 20 years. She is the author of “Of Colour and Form” and numerous articles on art and architecture.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Cinco Ranch Branch Library at 281-395-1311 or the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.