The Encyclopedia of World Religions

302 S mosque

Other structural elements are often found in conjunction with a mosque. It has been very com mon for a tower to be affixed to the outside of a mosque. This tower is known as a minaret. Tra ditionally a man known as a MUEZZIN climbed the tower and issued the call to prayer five times a day. Today loudspeakers and tape recorders have replaced the muezzins in areas where that sort of technology is widespread. It has also been very common for mosques to have pools or fountains. These make it possible for worshippers to perform the ablutions or wash ings that are required before prayer. Structural fea tures commonly associated with mosques include pointed domes and vaulted portals known as iwans. Islamic teachings strictly forbid the representation of human beings and animals. The observance of this prohibition varies in other spheres of life, but

long parallel rows directly behind him. Together they go through the various postures of prayer, from standing to prostration. As a result, the cen tral area of a mosque consists of a large flat sur face without any furnishings. The area may be carpeted. It may also contain lines perpendicu lar to the qiblah to indicate to worshippers the best places to stand in rows. Traditionally women are not allowed to pray in the same area as men. That is because the prayer RITUALS require pos tures that might be distracting in mixed company. A mosque may have a separate area for women with separate entrances for them. It is customary for the imam to deliver a ser mon at the Friday noon service. Another feature on the inside of the mosque, then, is a place from which he may speak. Traditionally, this has been a stepped platform known as a minbar.

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, or al-Quds, 1860–80 (Library of Congress)