Islamic architecture is usually easily recognizable due to characteristic vaults, specific domes and, of course, minarets, which we will discuss briefly below.
Meaning of term
The meaning of the word "minaret" goes back to the Arabic word "manara", meaning "lighthouse". In addition, this structure is also called mizana or sauma. Architecturally, the minaret is quite easy to determine - it is essentially an ordinary tower. But what makes a tower a minaret?
What is a minaret
The minaret is not just a tower, it is a structure that is being built near the mosque. Its functional purpose is somewhat similar to Christian bell towers - to notify believers about the beginning of prayer and call them to perform a common prayer. But unlike their Christian counterparts, there are no bells on the minarets. Instead, the believers are called to prayer at certain hours by special proclamations by people who are called muezzins. This word comes from an Arabic verb, which can roughly be translated into Russian with the words "shout in public." In other words, the minaret is, in a sense, an elevation for the speaker.
Types of minarets
Architecturally, there are at least two types of minarets - round or square inbase and section. Multifaceted structures are less common. In all other respects, the minaret is like a familiar lighthouse or bell tower. Just like on them, a special platform is arranged on the upper tier of the sauma, where the muezzin rises. It looks like a balcony and is called sherefe. Crowns the entire structure, usually a dome.
Square, that is, four-sided minarets at the base are most often found in North Africa. Round barrels, on the contrary, are rare there, but they prevail in the Near and Middle East.
In ancient times, to go up, the minarets were equipped with an external spiral staircase or ramp. Therefore, they often had a spiral design. Over time, stairs increasingly began to be made inside the structure. This tradition has spread and taken over, so it is now difficult to find a minaret with an external staircase.
Like a mosque building, the minaret is often decorated in a distinctive Islamic style. It can be brickwork, carving, glaze, openwork balcony decorations. Therefore, the minaret is not just a functional structure, it is also a piece of Islamic art.
If the mosque is small, as a rule, one minaret is attached to it. Medium-sized buildings are supplied with two. Particularly large ones may have four or more. The maximum number of minarets is in the famous mosque of the prophet, which is located in Medina. It is equipped with ten towers.
Minarets in our time
Technological progress is makingtheir own adjustments to the way of life of Muslims. Often today there is no need for muezzins to climb to the top of the minaret. Instead, loudspeakers are installed on the balcony of the tower, like on poles, which simply broadcast the voice of the muezzin.
In some countries, minarets are completely prohibited. This is, of course, not about Muslim countries, but about the regions and states of the West. Switzerland was the first among such countries. In 2009, according to the results of a popular referendum, the construction of mizan was prohibited in it. Therefore, the minaret is a forbidden structure in this European country.
