Haneen Arshad | Islamic Minaret

I'm Haneen, an architectural conservationist and artist based in Mississauga pursuing my passion for heritage architecture. Through my detailed architectural drawings, which I create with graphite pencil and paint markers, I aim to capture and share the beauty and significance historical landmarks with you.

My art is more than just drawings - it's my way of celebrating and preserving these cultural treasures, hoping to inspire others to appreciate the importance of architectural preservation. With my background in both art and architecture, I bring a unique perspective to each piece I create. I love combining detailed architectural drawings with abstract elements to capture not just the physical structure, but the spirit and story of each historic building I draw.

This graphite pencil series explores the intricate beauty of minarets—those towering architectural forms often admired from afar. Inspired by the global diversity of Islamic architecture, I aim to bring minarets down to eye level, offering an intimate look at the craftsmanship, geometry, and cultural significance embedded in their design. Often positioned high above, minarets are overlooked as visual masterpieces. By recreating them with high precision in graphite, I focus on their patterns, textures, and unique regional styles, encouraging viewers to slow down and notice what is usually distant or silhouetted against the sky. My work is not only an appreciation of architectural elegance but also a statement on perspective—how shifting the viewer’s gaze can reveal what’s long been hidden in plain sight. This piece invites contemplation of heritage, devotion, and the often-unseen beauty built into our vertical world.