Minaret

Minarets (Arabic Minara ] Minarat and Urdu: minra pl. minar) are distinctive architectural features of Islamic mosques. Minarets are generally tall, graceful spires, with onion-shaped crowns, usually either free standing or much taller than any surrounding support structure.

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Minarets originally served as beacons of light (deriving from the word noor, which usually translates as light or original light). In more recent times, the main function of the minaret was to provide a vantage point from which the muezzin can call out the adhan, calling the faithful to prayer. However, it should be noted that in most modern Mosques, the adhan is called not in the minaret, but in the musallah, or prayer hall, via a microphone and speaker system. Therefore, the role of the minaret is now largely for traditional and decorative puposes.

Arabic: redirect Arabic language...

Mosque: A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. Masǧid or Masjid (pl. masajid) (Arabic: مسجد?pronounced: // or //) is one of two Arabic terms for a mosque. This term is used widely throughout the Islamic world, and the word masjid is widely preferred b...

Noor: Noor (the Arabic term for light) may refer to:...

Minaret related Images and Photos (experimental)

Minaret of Saigon Mosque in Front of High-Rise Buildings

Minaret of a Mausoleum Abakh Khoja Tomb Kashgar Xinjiang Province China

Traditional Minaret Reflecting in Batelco Building Manama Bahrain

Sketch of a Square Church with Central Dome and Minaret