Islamic art: Vocabulary

Question 1

What is a Congregational Mosque? What does it mean?

Answer 1

The main mosque of an area that host the Friday afternoon prayer during which muslims come together (congregate) to prayer and hear a sermon
EX: The Great Mosque, Damascus (Umayyad) (c. 706-15)
Ex: Great Mosque, Cordoba (Umayyad) (8th-10th century.)

Question 2

What does Hijra mean?

Answer 2

The flight of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE; marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Question 3

What is a Iwan? What is an example of an Iwan?

Answer 3

Rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open.
EX: Pishtaq and Iwan Imam Mosque (Safavid) (c. 1612-1638 CE)

Question 4

What is a Mihrab?

Answer 4

Recess or niche that distinguishes the wall oriented towards Qibla (Mecca) in a mosque.

Question 5

What is a Minaret?

Answer 5

Tower on or near a mosque (traditionally used to issue the call to prayer)

Question 6

What is a Minbar?

Answer 6

Raised platform or pulpit in a mosque

Question 7

What is a Qibla?

Answer 7

Direction of prayer; also, the wall that is oriented towards Mecca.

Question 8

What is the Quran?

Answer 8

The sacred text of Islam containing the revelations shared with Muhammad (also Quran, Koran)