What is Minbar?
[[File:DSC04845 Istanbul - Ortaköy camii - Mirvan - Foto G. Dall'Orto 30-5-2006.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Minbar in the Ortaköy mosque in [[Istanbul]].]] A '''minbar''' (also called '''mimbar''' sometimes, {{lang-ar|منبر}}) is a special place in a [[mosque]]. It is used by the [[Imam]] to speak to the congregation, to deliver [[sermon]]s. Usually, minbars are raised (to be higher than the crowd, much like [[pulpit]]s); These sermons are usually called ''[[khutbah]]'' ( خطبه ). In a minbar, the speaker is standing while he is giving the lecture. An alternative to this is to have a [[Hussainia]] where the speaker can sit down while giving the lecture. Very often, the minbar is shaped like a small tower. The minbar is located to the right of the [[mihrab]], the niche that indicates the direction of prayer (i.e. towards [[Mecca]]). == Other websites == {{commonscat|Minbars}} {{religion-stub}} [[Category:Islamic architecture]]