Features in a Muslim Mosque
A mosque is more than a building. It is full of symbolism and each part serves a purpose. The whole architecture of a mosque is orientated to the north, toward the Islamic holy city in Saudi Arabia. The word mosque, in Arabic, means "the place where we bow."
Other People Are Reading
-
Minaret
-
A minaret is a tower on top of a mosque from which a muezzin traditionally sends a call to prayer. In modern times, a loudspeaker amplifies the muezzin's voice. The muezzin typically stands on a balcony at the top of the minaret to call the prayer, or adhan. The minaret is tall and slender with several rows of balconies circling it.
The Mihrab Arch and Qibla Wall
-
The mihrab arch and quibla wall in a mosque face toward Holy Ka'aba in Mecca, the center of the Muslim world. Prayers are said facing this direction, so by facing the arch in the wall, worshipers are praying toward Mecca. The Imam faces toward the wall when addressing the congregation. The shape of the arch helps to direct his voice backward to the worshipers. The mihrab arch and qibla wall are traditionally ornately decorated.
-
Ablution Facilities
-
Before believers may enter the mosque, they must clean themselves. All mosques have a pool, with or without fountains, for this purpose. These are ablution facilities. Ablution means partial washing. Fresh, running water is provided so that worshipers may was their hands, mouth, nose, face, forearms, head, neck, ears, feet and ankles prior to entering into prayer. These pools are generally very large to accommodate many worshipers.
The Madrassah
-
The madrassah is a building adjacent to the worship building that houses a school where young boys and girls go to learn Arabic and study the Quran. Some children start these studies as young as 5 years old. They may study until they've read the Quran, although some continue to study at the madrassah until they have memorized the scripture.
-
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
