West and Central Asia Vocabulary

Arabesque

means “Arab-like.” It is a flowing, intricate pattern derived from stylized organic motifs, usually floral; generally, an Islamic decorative motif.

Calligraphy

in Greek means "beautiful writing.” It is handwriting or penmanship, especially elegant writing, created as a decorative art.

Cuerda Seca

a type of polychrome tile work used in decorating Islamic buildings.

Hijra

the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622, the year from which Islam dates its beginnings.

Hypostyle Hall

a hall with a roof supported by columns.

Imam

In Islam, this is a leader of collective worship.

Iwan

a vaulted rectangular recess opening onto a courtyard found in Islamic architecture.

Kaaba

in Arabic means “cube.” It is a small cubical building in Mecca, the Muslim world’s symbolic center.

Kiswa

the a black cloth covering the Kaaba,

Koran

Islam’s sacred book. It is composed of surahs (chapters) divided into verses.

Madrasa

the Islamic theological college adjoining and often containing a mosque.

Mihrab

a semicircular niche set into the qibla wall of a mosque.

Minbar

In a mosque, this is the pulpit on which the imam stands.

Miniature

a small painting on paper, whether a book illustration or a separate work of art, intended to be kept in an album of such works called a muraqqa.

Mosque

the Islamic building for collective worship. The word comes from the Arabic word masjid, meaning a “place for bowing down.”

Shahnama

“Book of Kings,” narrates the history of the ancient kings of Iran from the mythical beginnings to the Arab conquest in 651 A.D.