Parts of a Mosque Flashcards
What is the Minaret?
Where the faithful are called to prayer 5x a day; connect to the mosque; traditionally used by muezzins; serves mainly decorative purposes
What is the Sahn?
It holds the entire male population of a city or town; inside the courtyard is the ablution fountain which is used to do the ritual cleansing
What is the Prayer Hall?
The space is lit with hanging light at night and natural light during the day; there are no seats, they prostrate (kneel); pray facing towards Mecca; windows; don’t need much to pray; shelves for shoes
What is the Minbar?
Where people give speeches/sermons; located to the right of where they pray to Mecca; Imam (scholar/speaker) gives sermons/leads prayers there
What is the Mihrab?
Indicates Muslims direction of Mecca/Kaaba; focal point in prayer ritual; vehicle of how God’s word reaches the people; repetitive decoration suggests the infinite God beyond all; sometimes has verses of the Qur’an; niche boarder has the five pillars of Islam
What is the Dome?
Represents the vault of heaven; inferior often emphasizes the symbolism; uses intricate geometric stellite or vegetalmotifs to create patterns; found on top of qibla wall (the holiest place in the mosque); domes were easier to build
