Research+-+Mosque

"mosque." //World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras//. ABC-CLIO, 2009. Web. 9 Nov. 2009. .

 * I found this source through the MICDS library database search page. I went to history, and chose the above database.
 * a mosque can be any place of Muslim worship, and does not have defined meeting times, such as in Christianity when mass is held once a week, to every day.
 * Mosques were modeled after the courtyard of Muhammad's home in Medina.
 * Other than places of worship, a mosque can also have courts of law, libraries, schools attached.
 * Weddings are not performed at mosques.

Source 2) "Architecture in the Medieval Islamic Empire" __Medieval Islamic Cultures__ 1/11/03. 8/11/09. http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/Architecture/Architecture.html
 * I found this website by using Google.
 * I typed "Do mosques have a specific architecture?" into the search bar, and chose the second site offered.
 * The word mosque is the the Arabic word for: "a place for prostration", bowing down to God, essentially.
 * Islam is a world religion, and the separate mosques, either because of culture, environment or materials, have no distinct building feature.
 * However, there are certain parts in a mosque that are universal throughout the world.
 * a **minbar**, which is like a pulpit, from where the religious leader speaks.
 * a **mihrab**, which is niche in the mosques that points the worshiper towards Mecca.
 * an **ablution fountain** where worshipers wash before prayer.
 * an **inner courtyard** that is an open-aired space that encourages meditation.
 * **minarets** are towers from which a person calls people to prayer.
 * **arches** are common in mosques, they vary in style, but they surround the entrance of the inner courtyard.
 * **Domes** are also common in mosques, the great expanse overhead that the domes create gives a spiritual feeling, and causes one to sare towards the heavens.

Source 3) "Mosque" __LookLex Encyclopedia__ 1996-2009. 8/11/09. http://lexicorient.com/e.o/mosque.htm
 * Although many mosques have similar attributes in structure, religious texts offer no specifications as to how mosques should be built.
 * Two types of mosque: the main mosque //jama'a// is where Friday prayers are recited, they are very richly adorned.
 * The other type of mosque is called //masjid//, and is smaller, and not as adorned as the main mosque.
 * Mosques, in both mentality though today rarely in structure, are the center of a Muslim community.
 * Mosques are part integrated into the city structure, and are rarely away from the city and in open space.
 * The original mosque is the one in Mecca, built in the area surrounding the Kaaba. This mosque and the Kaaba are the most important shrines in all of Islam.
 * The mosques originally faced Jerusalem, but after 1 and a half years, was made to face Mecca.
 * In theory, any Muslim can worship in any mosque they please.
 * Mosques of other religious sects of Islam are considered inappropriate for worship by someone from a different sect.