Islam

Dome of the Rock

Great Mosque of Qayrawan

Great Mosque of Cordoba

Blue Qur’an

Alhambra

Night Journey

Significant event in Islam that describes the Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension into heaven

Aniconism

Avoiding images of living beings, especially in religious contexts.

Prayer Hall

Central part of a mosque. Large, open space designed to facilitate a direct connection with God during prayer.

Qibla Wall

Wall that faces Mecca. Marked by mihrab.

Mihrab

Niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca

Maqsura

Closed-off space or enclosure in a mosque that was originally used to protect a Muslim ruler during prayer

Hadiths

Collection of reports, traditions, and sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Minaret

Tall, slender tower associated with mosques. Muezzin recites call to prayer from the top to remind Muslims to pray.

Arabesques

Biomorphic design that symbolizes representation of God’s infinite, indivisible, and transcendent nature.

Qiblah

Direction towards the Kaaba in Mecca

Mecca

Holiest city and birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad

Mosque

Muslim place of worship

Muqarnas

Three-dimensional decorate and structural element in Islamic architecture that is characterized by its geometric composition and rhythm

Calligraphy and arabesques

Aniconic representation for Islamic religion

Hypostyle

Held by many columns

Caliph

Islamic rulers, regarded as successors of Muhammad.