Although modern Turkey uses a variant of the Roman alphabet, prior to the reforms instituted by Mustafa Kemal Atturk in 1928, Arabic script was used. As you travel through historic sites, you cannot help but notice the script. It is more than simple labeling but was a significant decorative design element in mosques, public buildings, palaces, tile-work, etc.
Islamic decorative designs avoid representations of human figures. Instead, intricate geometric motifs, flowers, plants and patterns as well as beautiful ornamental script layouts were used. In the Aya Sofya in Istanbul, originally a Christian church, then a mosque and, since 1935, a museum, the walls bear not only Christian images in various stages of restoration, but also Islamic decorations including several very large, prominent, round medallions bearing Arabic script. One such medallion appears in the interior view of the Aya Sofya (as well as the closeup of the medallion. In the closeup you can see a distinctive script element, (shown as well in the accompanying illustration). This is the script for "Allah". It appears in many places in decorative scripts throughout Turkey. As you look at the various script samples, you may be able to find this particular pattern.
Script appears in stained glass, as in these two samples from the Aya Sofya.
Script is used above the entrance to the Sultanahmet Camii/Blue Mosque (green plaque with gilt script) and inside the courtyard (the round medallion on the blue green panel).
Similarly, decorative script is used in the Topkapi Palace, as shown in the closeup of one of the palaces' interior archways, as well as on a plain wall and two of the many tiled walls.
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