The Mosque

Kaaba

(Islam) a black stone building in Mecca that is shaped like a cube and that is the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine

Mosque

A Muslim place of worship derived from the Arabic word masjid means "a place of prostration" to God

Minaret

A distinctive feature of mosque architecture, a tower from which the faithful are called to worship.

Tessellation

A repeating pattern of plane figures that completely cover a plane with no gaps or overlaps

openwork

Ornamental or structural work having a latticelike nature or showing openings through its substance

horror vacui

a fear or dislike of leaving empty spaces, especially in an artistic composition.

Mihrab

a niche in the wall of a mosque, at the point nearest to Mecca, toward which the congregation faces to pray.

Octagon

a polygon with 8 sides

Iwan

a rectangular vaulted space in a Muslim building that is walled on three sides and open on the fourth

Minbar

in a mosque, the staired pulpit on which the imam stands

Arabesque design

style of art that uses natural objects like flowers, vines, or leaves that were repeated over and over

Muezzin

the Muslim official of a mosque who summons the faithful to prayer from a minaret five times a day

calligraphy

the art of beautiful handwriting using special pens or brushes; considered the highest form of Islamic artwork

Iman

the person who leads prayers in a mosque.

hypostyle mosque

A mosque whose hall is characterized by many closely spaced columns that support its roof.

Hajj

A pilgrimage to Mecca, performed as a duty by Muslims

Caliph

A supreme political and religious leader in a Muslim government

quibla wall

A wall of the mosque facing Mecca it contains the Mihrab.

Sahn

An open courtyard in a mosque

Moorish Arch

Another name for Horseshoe arch; an architectural design associated with Islamic architecture in Andalusian Spain.

Alhambra

Building the moors built that was too beautiful for the Christians to destroy. It was built in proportions that show the Moors intelligence. The central palace complex of Nasrid Dynasty in Spain

Mecca

City in western Arabia; birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, and ritual center of the Islamic religion.

Dome of The Rock

Muslim shrine containing the rock from which Mohammad is believed to have risen to heaven; Jews believe Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac on the rock

Muqarnas

stucco decorations of Islamic buildings in which stalactite-like forms break a structure's solidity

Circumambulation

walking around, as part of ritual practice