Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Sabil and kutab

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Providing a public place for drinking fresh water and also for teaching young children. This complex of 'sabil' and 'kutab' is an example of special architecture built in Islamic style for public welfare, that serves for both drinking fresh water and teaching kids.

The 'sabil' is a building famous in Islamic architecture built by nobles, princes, and other rich people for providing fresh drinking water for the people in streets. Its a charity and public welfare building. This type of architecture started during the Mameluke period. Its either a separate building or one built inside mosques. The construction of the 'sabil' includes a big water reservoir in the underground level and above it, amfew step above ground level, the 'tasbil' room or the room for drinking, which usually has windows overlooking the street for people to drink from special taps.

In many cases they build a 'kotab' on the second floor of the 'sabil', which is a type of elementary school for teaching kids. The 'Kotab' is usually either annexed to a mosque or bulit on top of the 'sabil'. This idea of building a complex of 'sabil and kotab' can be applied in ecovillages by providing a place for the public to have their beverage on top of, or annexed to a type of nursery, or elementary school. Its an act of, what we call in Islam, a charity run place, where the process is a continuous blessing for the patron of the building even after his/her death.

It is not necessary to place the building in a complex, for we can still build each building on its own with the same aim of public welfare and social responsibility.

• Culture
  • Wisdom & Innovation