MOSQUE Muslim place of worship.

Minaret Arabic for “Lighthouse” Traditionally used as a watchtower or a visual cue for the Muslim community. More recently to provide a vantage point for the Muezzin to call out Adhan, calling faithful to prayer. In the most modern Mosques Adhan is called out in the Musallah, or prayer hall, by way of a speaker system.

Muezzin A chosen person at the Mosque who leads the call (Adhan) to Friday service, and the five daily prayers (Salat) Faces the direction of the Ka’bah when calling to prayer.

Mihrab Is a niche in the wall of a Mosque that indicates the ‘quibla’ or direction of Mecca. The wall in which the mihrah appears is called the ‘quibla wall.’

Minbar A pulpit in the Mosque where the Imam (prayer leader) stands to deliver sermons. Located to the right of the Mihrab, it is usually shaped like a small tower with stairs leading up to it.

Wudu Is the Islamic act of washing parts of the body using water. In a mosque, this area is known as the “ablution”area. Muslims are required to perform Wudu in preparation for ritual prayers and for handling and reading the Qu’ran.

RITUAL WASHING

Sadirvan This is the fountain and or footbath where Muslims practice Wudu before prayer in the Mosque.

Place of Study Many mosques offer a place of study, to learn Arabic – the language of Islam. The very words of Allah are sacred and so all congregants are expected to study Islamic scripture.

PRAYER RUG During Islamic prayers, worshippers bow, kneel, and prostrate on the ground before God. Prayers must be performed in an area that is clean. The rug points towards the direction of Mecca. After prayer, the rug is immediately folded or rolled, and put away for the next use.

PRAYER POSTURES