Join Diana Darke, who spent four decades in the Middle East, for a fully illustrated talk that presents the evidence for how Muslim craftsmen were key in building Europe’s greatest medieval monasteries and cathedrals, from Durham Cathedral, to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, thanks to their advanced understanding of geometry and their astonishing decorative repertoire. Diana argues that the architectural term ‘Romanesque’ should more accurately be called ‘Islamesque’.

Presented by: Diana Darke, an author, Middle East cultural writer, Arabist, occasional BBC broadcaster

Hosted by: Robin Flack, Member of Research Staff, CIBEDO, Centre for Christian-Muslim Encounter, Frankfurt, Germany

Chief Guest: Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed, Deputy Director, Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, Cardiff University