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
