Forgotten Islamic Influence on U.S. Buildings

Architectural Mecca
Building design flavored by Islam
Most U.S. cities have buildings with echoes of Islamic design
by Jonathan Curiel
San Francisco Chronicle - November 28, 2004

It's clear from the layout of the World Trade Center that (the architect) incorporated aspects of Islamic design into the towers.

"The idea of a pointed, ribbed arch was beautifully replicated in the World Trade Center...It's ironic it was used in the World Trade Center, which is then understood by the hijackers as a symbol of Western capitalism."

In fact, the history of Islamic-influenced architecture in the United States hasn't been given its due for many years. It dates back at least to the late 19th century -- longer if Moorish architecture (a blend of Islamic and Spanish) is considered.

Southwestern buildings were often made out of adobe, a sun-dried brick that takes its name from the Arabic word for brick, al-toba.