HOA AMACE: ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Haram (Enclosure)

Mecca; associated with Abraham

Kaaba

The holiest spot in Islam.

Al Munawwara

Means "The Illuminated One"; refers to Medina

Haram Al-Sharif

Means "Noble Sanctuary"; located in Jerusalem and includes the Dome of the Rock.

Mosque

A place of prostration; a communal space where Muslims gather and pray.

Masjid

Arabic term for mosque.

Musallas

Places of prayer.

Hypostyle Hall

A hall where the roof is supported by parallel rows of uniform columns.

Iwan

A vaulted hall walled on three sides with one side open; developed in Iran and often located in the middle of a courtyard wall.

Minaret

A visual beacon of the Muslim community where the Muezzin calls the faithful to prayer.

Sahn

A courtyard surrounded by riwaqs with wells and fountains.

Dikka

A raised platform where respondents (Qadi) repeat the ritual postures.

Qibla

The direction of prayer toward Mecca.

Mihrab

The most decorated part of the mosque that indicates the Qibla.

Lamps

Symbolize the divine presence and the universality of the Muslim message.

Minbar

A pulpit beside the mihrab

Imam

Prayer leader.

Khutba

A sermon.

Prayer Hall

Divided into arcades with round arches resting on Roman and Byzantine columns.

Fountain

Provides water for ablution before prayer and often served as the town's main water supply.

Riwaq

A colonnaded or arcaded hall surrounding the courtyard of a mosque.

Squinch

A masonry structure that supports a circular or octagonal dome on a square base.

Dome

A common feature of Islamic architecture symbolizing heaven with God at the center.

Cupola (Lantern)

A dome-shaped or quadrilateral ornamental structure on top of a roof or dome that provides light

Portal Pavilion

A decorative entrance feature with columns and arches made of soft stone or plaster.

Muqarnas

A decorative corbel resembling stalactites; also called a "Honeycomb Vault" and an essential element of Moorish architecture.

Arabesque

An artistic motif using repetitive mosaic

Domed Mosque

A mosque with one large central dome surrounded by smaller domes and semi-domes.

Islamic Garden

A cool place for rest and reflection representing life in Paradise.

Charbagh

A Persian-style quadrilateral garden divided into four sections by walkways or flowing water.