Masjid (mosque)

Literally "place of prostration," i.e. any space where salah (ritual prayer) is performed. Usually this means a special building with a dedicated prayer space. The building may also serve as a place of study or as a haven for travellers.

Every mosque building contains a mihrab (niche) indicating the qibla (the direction of prayer, facing toward the Ka`ba in Mecca). There is generally also a minbar (pulpit - see picture below) from which the sermon is preached before Friday prayer. There is also generally a space and water source for performing wudu' (ablutions.) There may be separate entrances and/or separate prayer spaces for men and women.

Minbar (mihrab to the left), al-Aqsa mosque, Jerusalem, ca. 1870. Bonfils. From the Middle East Photograph Archive at the University of Chicago Library (shown here by external link to http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/mideast/photo/391-95.jpeg).