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Mihrab

Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa | 2004 | | Copyright

MIHRAB

an indicator of the direction toward which muslims face in prayer.

While the etymology of the word is the subject of some debate, mihrab (pl. maharib ) is the Arabic term used to refer to any object, marking, or architectural feature that indicates the direction Muslims must face (that is, toward Mecca) in the performance of the five daily prayers. Since the mihrab commonly takes the form of a distinctive recess in the wall of a mosque, the word is often translated as "prayer niche." Traditionally crafted in stucco, marble, or tile and adorned with calligraphic scriptural inscriptions, the mihrab is usually the most elaborately decorated piece of architecture in a mosque and in some simpler settings may be the only ornamented part of a mosque's interior.

scott alexander

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Alexander, Scott. "Mihrab." Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Alexander, Scott. "Mihrab." Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3424601829.html

Alexander, Scott. "Mihrab." Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3424601829.html

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mihrab

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | 2000 | | Copyright

mihrab. Semicircular, polygonal, or rectangular niche or recess, chamber, or slab in the qibla wall of a mosque, indicating the direction of Mecca. Sometimes the recess is merely suggested on a flat surface. Mihrabs are often elaborately decorated. The openings to them may be flanked by columns from the capitals of which spring arches, and the hoods of niches may be embellished with muqarnas.

Bibliography

Blair & and Bloom (1994);
Hillenbrand (1994)

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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "mihrab." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "mihrab." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-mihrab.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "mihrab." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-mihrab.html

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mihrab

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

mihrab a niche in the wall of a mosque, at the point nearest to Mecca, towards which the congregation faces to pray.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "mihrab." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "mihrab." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-mihrab.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "mihrab." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-mihrab.html

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Miḥrāb

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Miḥrāb (directional niche): see MOSQUE.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Miḥrāb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Miḥrāb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Mirb.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Miḥrāb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Mirb.html

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mihrab

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

mihrab •barb, carb, garb, hijab, nawab, Punjab, sahib •rhubarb • mihrab

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"mihrab." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"mihrab." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mihrab.html

"mihrab." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mihrab.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Rising player with a vision for Shiite Iraq.(WORLD)(Shaheed al-Mihrab... Newspaper article from: The Christian Science Monitor; 11/20/2007
	Muqarnas: An Annual on Islamic Art and Architecture, vol. 9. Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 4/1/1997
	The Early Islamic Monuments of al-Haram al-Sharif: An Iconographic Study. Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 10/1/1993